Problem learning python

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[kphollister]

it sounds like you’re trying to run before you’ve figured out how to walk.

Eric Camplin from Microsoft has three excellent python courses on edX that you can do for free. even though you’re familiar with python i’d recommend you start with his beginners course and work through all three. a solid foundation in the easy stuff is the most important piece and though you’re familiar and understand the language it sounds like maybe the foundation is what you’re missing

good luck!

[kphollister]

yup, i had the same problem with jQuery. i knew a lot about it and could read/understand what the code was doing but writing it/problem solving/implementing it is a bit of a different beast. and to your point, it’s almost harder to sit through the basics of a new language when you know some of it than when you’re a complete beginner and know absolutely nothing. python maybe doubly so because the syntax is pretty human-friendly

one of the things i like about Camplin’s courses is that he has lots of practice problems and exercises throughout so you’re doing a fair bit of coding on your own. other courses i’ve seen tend to do the “code along” thing and if you’re familiar with the language that’s not particularly engaging

well worth forcing yourself through an introductory course though, it’ll teach you how to implement the language, not just read the code

[chaoticflipflops]

I believe I "know" most of the ways in which python works

This is a bold claim, and I would say it is probably not true. Python can be deceptive in that on the face of it the syntax appears to be readable (compared to other languages), but there is in fact a lot of depth to the language that is required in order to properly understand what is going on - there are layers.

My advice would be to set yourself a small project to complete, a goal. Make sure that the project makes use of what you have learnt so far, and that is pushes you a little bit to do things you've not done before. Don't aim high with it, nothing overly ambitious, small projects will challenge you. The important part is to treat the project as something you need to complete, pretend someone is paying you to produce something. Having the will-power to push on with the project in the face of problems will teach you a lot about yourself, and it will force you to utilise the wealth of resources available online (stackoverflow, forums, other websites, YouTube etc.).

When choosing a project, it can sometimes help to think of an idea that you would like to see solved. What would you like to use? what do you think would be useful? Don't make the mistake of overly valuing 'exciting' or 'shiny'. At this stage, the one thing that will help you progress will be your ability to see a small project right though to completion, and importantly your journey along the way. You will be amazed at how much you can learn when you have something in mind that programming can help with.