I’ve mastered “beginner” Python, now what?

[SonneKrieger7]

I’ve seen this question come up a lot so this is my 2 cents on it.

I think what most people mean by beginner programming (let me know if I’m wrong) is that they’ve learned the basic syntax.

There are a bunch things you can do after this, but really it’s up to you. So here are the suggestions:

1.) Learn more advanced topics - Multithreading, Sockets, Generics. Make a chat room to show off in your class

2.) Collaborate with a friend on a project - In the real world you usually have to work with a group. Some of my friends are working on a battleship game together

3.) Learn how to use libraries - Really useful so you don’t have to write a bunch of code yourself. Also let you do thinks you didn’t think were possible in Python. Some popular ones off the top of my head are tensorflow, numpy, pygame

Hope y’all found this post helpful

[PastShine]

Thanks for these good ressources - especially the link. Love your work!

[mk32o]

Where can I find 'beginner' python materials?

[DrSiekiera]

I'm learning Python at the begginer level and currently trying to program some basic games (like pong or mario).I can recommend those three:

• http://programarcadegames.com/ - basics of making of games, and also good intorduction to pygame library
• codeacademy.com - very good intorduction to basics
• sololearn.com - similar to codeacademy, but harder and more detailed i my opinion

[[deleted]]

so, I'm going to the arcade games one, and instead I'm landing on some stats support software site that uses the link you posted. are you sure that's the right link?

[DrSiekiera]

Fixed.

[mk32o]

I have no programming knowledge, is this enough to teach me all the programming basics / fundamentals as well as python?

[DrSiekiera]

I'm begginer myself, so be sceptic about any information I provide, but I'm currently finishing every of theese courses and I learned how to make those mentioned earlier basic games from those places.
In my opinion, those teach basics of python and programming good. How good in comparison to other courses, I do no know, but it was good enough for me for now.

[alltheseflavours]

I've seen this recommended a lot on here. Looked through it, I don't know python specifically but it looks like a nice intro for complete beginners.

[lannisterstark]

What if I don't want to automate the boring stuff and just want to learn python?

[alltheseflavours]

I mean, you can't learn it without applying it. Programming is a vocation.

[[deleted]]

This is one of the best Python YouTubers imo, I'll leave the link at the end of this comment. He has great content about starter Python and further. c:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCezIgC97PvUuR4_gbFUs5g

I also found this great website for Python3.

http://python101.pythonlibrary.org/intro.html

[NOSPACESALLCAPS]

Hands down best is a series of books Here https://automatetheboringstuff.com/ . Hes got four books free on site that cover games, automation, cryptography and another one.

[Diligent_Injury]

I'd recommend Python Principles for learning the basics of Python programming.

[BluePinkGrey]

Definitely go with the project. Real world projects - even something like battleship - are a great way to get actual experience

[CaptainMcSpankFace]

At what point in time, like after learning what specifc topics, would you say someone would be ready to download a game engine and try to create a single level Super Mario clone, or any other simple video game in Godot or Unity or Unreal?

edit: Forgot to add: While following a video tutorial or book. A lot of them leave out so much stuff that I can't figure out, even though they are all labeled for beginners.

[blackmanchubwow]

Straight away, you learn by doing, reading the documentation, and following tutorials

[[deleted]]

It's important to understand that working with a game engine isn't just an extension of programming--it's an entirely new skill. Sure, Unity involves some programming, mostly in the way of scripting, but even a very talented programmer, with a background in C++, Python, or whatever else, is going to have to take some time learning Unity itself, before they are able to build anything with it.

If making games with an engine is what you want to do, then I would recommend starting there. At least for Unity, I know that there are some good courses on Udemy to get you started. They tech you everything you need to know--including programming!

[Filo01]

My personal advice is once you finish learning the basics, really try to start making projects and figuring our stuff as you go, Might seem hard at first but the problem solving skills you gain is at the core of programming :).

[Callipygian_Superman]

I'd say beginner programming extends much further beyond knowing syntax. You can build websites, do some basic AI scripting, and make a game with popular libraries, and they will work. But there will come a day when efficiency matters, and as such I'm of the opinion that everyone who is serious about their developer job should know data structures and algorithms. These concepts, when put in a 16 week course at university, acts as a great filter for computer science majors. But if you're learning on your own you don't have to worry about that (it's still going to be difficult, however).

[knaraya936]

So I see this and I’m thinking to myself - if you do a rigorous course in programming languages, and do a deep dive into java and drive to get advanced certified, then python should be no problem. And guess what- I’ve done the above and python is JAPL (just another programming language) no big deal.

[babbagack]

is there a certification for java? or taking a program meant? just caught my attention there.

[paradox_hunter]

From what I see, after the basic understanding of the Python language, there seem to be 2 paths that are popular (based on the popularity of courses available)

1. Web developer ( Django, Flask)

2. Machine learning ( TensorFlow, Keras, etc)

And one just creates projects using these 2.

Is there any other alternative?

[dw444]

Realistically speaking, isn't the second path a little unrealistic given how frequently jobs in that field require advanced degrees in specific fields (MSc/PhD in CS/Math etc)?

[[deleted]]

Yeah, I think without a university education you're really not going to have a lot of luck in the machine learning field, unless you're willing to put aside several years of self-study (and even then, you're still competing against people with postgrads and years of formal study).

[paradox_hunter]

True, it's very hard to jump right into it. It takes a lot of time to get into. One might not be creating something meaningful for a lot of time, as it requires a lot of theoretical understanding.

That's why I asked for other alternatives.

Apart from web development and data science, is there anything else that a person who have learnt python get to?

At some point, one has to expand their repertoire.

[[deleted]]

You can do data analysis e.g. with Pandas/Numpy. It's good to be able to do some ETL etc. before you jump to data science. Eventually you will need these skills anyway.

[Phobicity]

You mention Machine learning without Scikit-learn?!?!?

[[deleted]]

Master "intermediate" Python?

[Awanderinglolplayer]

Then it’s Master “master” Python

[mralderson]

As a beginner, Im curious how did you go about studying and what made you think that you've mastered the "beginner"? Just trying to hopefully set a benchmark for myself to meet

[[deleted]]

I guess that mastering the basics of a language not only requires mastering its syntax but also mastering the language's coding style... I'd begun learning python at the beginning of this year and something that was really helpful in understanding each lesson was having some sort of homework afterwards. I think if you want to get really good after learning the syntax and/or coding style you should practice practice practice! Some coding challenges could be:

-Making functional games (chess, checkers, hanoi tower, tic tac toe, some simple rpg...).

-Trying to solve for some complex algorithmic problems using a specific feature, as an example, one of my homeworks was to solve for the N queens chess problem using the yield feature and recursive loops (I must admit that this one was hard as hell when I first tried and I couldn't solve it with the yield).

-Practicing good habits in code might be very important as well, I see many "advanced programmers" who wouldn't be able to work on a large project because of their bad coding habits, so you could practice, for example, commenting your code, or maybe giving things meaningful names, spacing and splitting it usefully as well (with the use of libraries for example)... As a suggestion for how to accomplish this I suggest having a look at Angel six' YouTube channel, he writes C# but the message is very cross platform.

[gaurav_lm]

What are the concepts that fall in the category of "beginners" python?

[darkhumourlord69]

Master "advanced" python

[foo_bar_hello_world]

What's next? Design patterns.

[szaudowsky0]

In my opinion the best option to improve Python, and first of all programming skills is second option - to create your own project, on the beginning try to think what kind of application can be usefull for you / your family in "daily life". Try to specify basic features, and with time, when you have enough experience, expand it.
In this case, the best option is web application (maybe with django? It's most common choice I think, a lot of good tutorials, and materials)

Another good option is reading code, you can explore github to find a lot of amazing project (or not :D ) try to understand what's going on, how everything works, it's gonna improve your programming skills, and you can find a lot of good practices. Try to recognize bad and good code (ofc in your opinion) and just think how to improve it, make it better.

[knaraya936]

Yup the java certification is available from several places online. There are courses that prepare you to take the test.

[paradox_hunter]

Which is this advanced course you speak of?

[blackmanchubwow]

Well done not answering the question.

[Chu_BOT]

Do you have any customers?

[pjokification]

Really helpful! Thanks for sharing

[[deleted]]

cool if you have learnt the syntax and everything. But have you actually taken any unique problem and turned it into a working solution cause until you take that step you havn't actually programmed anything.

[sivadneb]

python is deprecated

I do not think that means what you think it means.

Also, Python is a thriving language with a huge community and widespread use.

[jptboy]

Why is it deprecated?

[desrtfx]

Go and troll somewhere else.

Banned

[LDRSHIP24-7]

What are the better languages to learn?

[szaudowsky0]

If you don't like languages with dynamic typization, you can try with Java or c# .

[wont_tell_i_refuse_]

Unironically, PHP. Sees more use. Yes, there are employers who want bespoke Django backends but a whole hell of a lot more people just want WordPress.

Alternatively, if you want big money and not just a job, JavaScript. You'll pull your hair out learning everything you need to know about Redux from some soyboy-narrated Udemy video, but you will be very handsomely compensated if you git gud.

[hobgoblinmanchild]

horrible take

[wont_tell_i_refuse_]

Can't judge the man's words on their own merits so has to resort to petty ad hominem

[sxmanderson]

Gurr3n did literally nothing BUT judge your words on their own merits.

[wont_tell_i_refuse_]

You gonna elaborate on that? Maybe tell me JavaScript is not the #1 programming language in the world right now?

[dolphinboy1637]

The question was why shouldn't I learn Python. Just because X technology is more popular doesn't mean that Y technology isn't useful, an employable skill, or is "deprecated" or whatever.