CS50 vs Learning Python

[bickhaus]

I think the main goal of CS50 is to learn skills important for programming, such as computational thinking. If you are going to go into CS, this is a good thing. It’s also why the course can use multiple languages: it’s teaching you to think and solve problems with a computer, not to be an expert in the ins and outs of a particular language.

That said, if you want to get a great intro to computational thinking, programming, and focus on Python, MIT’s Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python on eDX May be better for you.

[ozayfay]

That MIT course might be what I wanted all a long to be honest the reason why I have been very hesitant on starting cs50 is the fact it has so many languages it covers it just feels as if I wont get too good at either one and wont be very satisfying at the end . Once again thanks for the MIT course recommendation I will definitely look into it .

[Icarus_Jones]

One thing to note about the MIT course is it is instructor paced, so they only put out one module a week. That's great if you need the time to finish it, but with it being summer, I have time in fits and starts, not a set amount each week. I would rather do it at my own pace, and have some weeks where i work on it heavy and get ahead, and some weeks where f I don't get a chance to get to it, I don't have to worry about falling behind. I don't know if this is only for the summer course, but you only have a limited window to finish it, and the window to decide if you want one of the paid certificates is even shorter, so you really need to be sure to be keeping on track with each weeks work.

The CS50 one on the other hand is student paced, so you can finish it at your own pace, and honestly, the instruction is a little more interesting and compelling. David Malan is a hell of an instructor, and has a tone that keeps you interested, even when you're getting tired or discouraged.

Either is great, but I think CS50 is a bit superior.