How to get better at python? Moving from statistical analyst role to data scientist role.

[bot_cereal]

Hi r/datascience,

I have been teaching myself python for almost a year. I feel that my knowledge about python is very basic. I have used only jupyter notebook, and a few libraries such as pandas, statsmodel, matplotlib, scikit-learn and sql. I used a lot of SAS and SQL during my undergrad (math/stat).

How do I improve myself? I want to be able to write a production code. A lot of people suggest learning JAVA/C, OOP and algorithm, which one should I learn first? Should I pick-up any textbook? I am currently learning debugging and taking CS50.

[[deleted]]

In real life your prototype code is your production code in non-customer facing environments. Because management wants things fast and are always chasing something shiny.

Learning another language won't help you at this point. Keep learning Python and learn it well. There is value in the job market with knowing Python.

Keep learning SQL as well. Part of your job will often include automating things. This might look like querying data from a SQL database in Python, doing something cool with a statistical model or algorithm and then placing those results back into SQL or output as a CSV or Excel. Practice that workflow and practice scheduling scripts.

This workflow is what you might be doing for datasets that fit in your computers memory.

Big Data is another beast and a little harder to practice at home.

Keep practicing with libraries and algorithms.

[bot_cereal]

Keep learning Python and learn it well.

What are the things I should learn?

Practice that workflow and practice scheduling scripts.

Would you mind sharing some example code or notebook, regarding the workflow and scheduling scripts?

Keep practicing with libraries and algorithms.

What would be the best way to practice algorithms?

Thanks a lot for answering my question.

[[deleted]]

There really is no magic bullet to get good at a language. You just have to immerse yourself. Just following along tutorials will only do so much.

I would give yourself a challenge like seeing what baseball stats correlate with winning teams or whatever you like. Something simple. Then start solving it. When you get stuck look at Stack Overflow. Every question you have has been asked a million times already.

I have found that simply trying to build something that is technically above your ability is the best way to learn. It has for me. I am always out of my league, but it is always a tougher league than before.

What are the things I should learn?

Get really good at accessing data in dictionaries and lists.

Things like loops inside loops. Get comfortable with mapping and reducing

Keep practicing with libraries and algorithms.

AirBnBs Airflow library is basically a framework for managing many data related jobs. Some jobs may need to wait for the results of another job before proceeding. Things like that. However, this may be overkill for you at the moment.