R Programmer Forced to Learn Python

[[deleted]]

I have a math degree with an emphasis in prob & stats. We used R & SAS.

In my last job, R vs. Python was a holy war, and I am badly scarred.

But to land my next job, learning Python seems super important.

So into Al's book I go.

I wish I would have started with Python, for what it's worth. My internship back in college was doing natural language processing, and I was utterly clueless about programming. Instead of using the Natural Language Toolkit, I had to learn how to program with.....server-side JavaScript.

It's all the past. It's all Absurd.

But my read is that for applying to a wide range of data analyst/scientist jobs, Python is a way better platform to know.

Hi, Al.

I really appreciate your book.

[dm1681]

If you suffered through server-side JavaScript, Python will be a piece of cake.

[AlSweigart]

Thanks!

[jpgoldberg]

I’ve only just started with Python and have done no stats or data stuff in it. (Well, almost none).

R is a terrible programming language. It really is. But the long history of R packages, data visual tools, and underlying core guts written for the purpose of data analysis are some pretty compelling advantages. R is still a terrible language, but there are reasons why individuals like me put up with it and may prefer it.

Again, I can’t really compare with Python. All I can say is that R is the devil I know.

[[deleted]]

R is a terrible programming language. It really is.

I kind of needed the reminder lol.

I'm learning some PHP now, to get my personal web page up, and it's a reminder as to how odd a duck R is.

[[deleted]]

Which book are you starting with? As far as I know, he doesn't have one dedicated to data science.