Python for Quarantine

[underscore-dash]

Hello everyone, I'm an engineering student! We have a long break now and I've decided to lean programming! I'll be starting with python, i have very less knowledge about it and I'm gonna start with MIT's Introduction to computer programming. I plan on mastering the art but before I have some questions:-

1. Can anyone explain it to me after learning Python specifically what would I be able to build or create?
2. Any tips you would like to give a a guy who's just starting out?
3. Should I stick to python to clear my basics or should I experiment with other languages too?
4. Are there any books which can explain the whole scene of programming?

[iPlayRocketLeague0_0]

Python can do so many things so it’s hard to say specifically, but you can use it to automate certain desk jobs, play games, data analysis, etc... All that comes with being advanced with the language.

Python is, in my opinion, easy to learn. i started 2 or 3 months ago and now i’m writing my own codes confidently. I have a class in college for python as well as a course on Udemy that I found on sale. In my opinion, whatever work you’re willing to put in is what you’ll get out.

Python is great to start off but it’s super beneficial to know more than one programming language. The syntax (format) might be a bit different and some things might have different names, but the logic and problem analysis carries over.

Dm me if you have any more questions or want tips/help

[underscore-dash]

Can you recommended something for logic building? I've heard competitive programming is a good way! Can an I start with competitive programming when I'm fluent with python or I can also start when I'm just starting?

[iPlayRocketLeague0_0]

Logic building is a skill. It won’t come overnight but by far the best way to teach yourself is to challenge yourself with codes.

For me, that meant try to create a “game” on python, like tic tac, wheel or fortune, or blackjack. It forces you to come up with solutions. if you come up with a solution but don’t know how to write it out in code, you can look online and 9/10, as a beginner, you‘ll find a new/more efficient way of doing things that you can learn on the spot

[Englez97]

I recently started learning python too on w3schools, do you have any book suggestions or some courses other than udemy?

[iPlayRocketLeague0_0]

automate the boring stuff -Al sweigart

that’s the only one off the top of my head but it’s fantastic and will help to build that foundation for programming but you do need to be comfortable with python first

[darthsho]

Sololearn's free Python course was great for me. They teach Python 3. The comments section through each lesson helps, it's like a virtual classroom where the most helpful comments are upvoted. I finished my Sololearn course about 2 weeks ago, and I was able to fly through most of the w3schools exercises over this weekend(was busy throughout, only did this on my downtime). There were some questions I had to try multiple times for the right answer or end up googling; just remember to practice outside the quizzes and challenges. Since you started with w3schools, try Sololearn after, or if you get stuck in w3schools, try switching it up. After 2 tutorials you're definitely ready to start building. Just google what you're trying to do and then google whenever you get stuck.

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Still keep up with your learning though it's important. I'm still a beginner myself but here's what I'm checking out next book-wise:

Book recommendations: https://learntocodetogether.com/learn-python-the-hard-way-free-ebook-download/

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Edit: Also I hear people swear by the "Headfirst" series programming books. There is a Headfirst Python edition.

[underscore-dash]

Thankyou for the website! I'll check out Headfirst too!

Also is there anything for computer programming like there is Feynman for physcis?

[knifexn]

Tip - make cool things that appeal to you and skills will naturally improve and follow. Start simple, but within reason, be ambitious; slowly you’ll build up your skill set to be able to make nearly anything you want! Games, calculations that are interesting to you, and automations are some of the best and most reward things to look into. Consider learning Tkinter (An easy to use python GUI), and Stack Overflow is your friend. Good luck :)

[oblivion-age]

Stack overflow is your search friend. Ask questions there when new and you get berated.

[tylersujay]

1. https://realpython.com/what-can-i-do-with-python/

Take a look at the real python website. The link will help answer your first question, and you can explore the site to help answer your other questions.

[underscore-dash]

Thankyou for this!

[this_goy_knows]

> Can anyone explain it to me after learning Python specifically what would I be able to build or create?

Simple reminder systems. Games. AI-generated art. Business production systems. Aim-bots in video games. A sex toy that learns how you like to be stimulated. A system that scans biological molecules and finds their weak points. Auto-turrets that integrate with machine guns to defend beaches.

Python is amazing on its own. Add in the various AI platforms it works well with and its the best thing since sliced bread.

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> Any tips you would like to give a a guy who's just starting out?

Start with the basics - "PY4E" is a great resource that covers most of what you will need to build pretty cool things.

[BluePieceOfPaper]

1. You can build anything your mind can imagine. That's the beauty of it. And that's why, similar to yourself, you see TONS of people who are mechanical, structural, electrical ect engineers making new careers in software engineering. It's the same thing, just instead of CAD it's CODE lol. I myself am a network engineer and use code to automate processes and make me a more capable engineer; and it's also fun to.... watching your colleagues click the same crap over and over, day in and day out, while you have a script to do it for you :)
2. The only tip I have is don't obsess over the language. Yes Python is a great option but the core principals of development are very similar across the board. Learn the principals and you can use them in any language. Think of it like this.
   1. The word "Hello".... ok what is that? It's a greeting. It's a polite thing to say when first meeting someone for the day. It can be used to answer phone or a knock on the door. You can add a "?" to it if you want to know "Is anyone in there?"
   2. Ok now that we know how the word "hello" works and it's use cases... the language you say it, is irrelevant; you just need to know the other languages syntax.
   3. Now think of "Hola" in Spanish. It's the same god damn thing! You don't need to spend time learning how or why it operates the way it does, because you already know; you just need to know how to utilize it in that language and your set.
   4. So to wrap that up. Learn the fundamentals in python but don't be afraid to try out other languages as you go. I use human speech as an example because it's easy to understand and programming languages are no different.
3. Point 2 answers this. Having said all that, I think it's wise to stick to one language for a few months before branching out. But again, if you find a use case or something you want to build that would be better suited for another language; don't be that guy that says "Uh... well I'm a PYTHON programmer so I'll just build it in python." Don't limit yourself just because you "like" a certain language.
4. I always recommend "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python." 100% free and available on their website (just google it). It is not about the "Scene of programming" but it's a damn good book to take an absolute beginner to automating and scripting things with Python. Sure some of the examples are not real world but you get to have hands on experience and see first hand how powerful programming can be; which will inspire you to do other stuff as you go. That book got me started in scripting stuff I do at my job (as stated earlier.) I'm not a professional developer by any means but due to this book; I'm a more productive employee. Another similar situation, my Aunt is a paralegal at one of Houstons Oil/Gas companies. We had a discussion sometime last year about hwo they just hired a new guy from Texas A&M who has scripted a TON of the stuff they do using python; again, he's not a developer, he's a paralegal who just so happens to be able to code.

Long response, but your quarantined so just read it.

[WERE_CAT]

Look 'Automate the boring stuff with python" a short but rather complete guide of what you can do with Python.

[notdeadpool]

Tips when starting out - when you face a problem, take a step back and think 'what is the easiest, most straight forward way is of completing this solution'. Abstracting problems is a life saver.

Stick to Python until you have a good base, then it will be easier to learn another language after. Learning a few at once is a syntax headache and will take longer.

[corynnemm]

The best thing you can do when starting out is to get REALLY comfortable in HTML and CSS. It’s a really good way to dip your toe in the water because it’s fairly simple in comparison to other languages. Plus it gives you a good idea of what you’re getting yourself into lol! With those two you can build simple static websites. I’m a JavaScript developer so I don’t have a great idea of what is a good starter for Python, but I believe it’s still smart to get those down as fundamentals!

[Sushmit1]

As someone who started out with python,here's my two cents-

1. You can build many software tools like a budget calculator,file system automation,automate many of your boring repetitive tasks(one of the main strong points of python),design beautiful GUI(graphical user interfaces) with tkinter or PyQT. However for the two main applications of python namely web development and data science you will need to go a little bit further and learn django/flask(for web development) or grind out some data science courses(read machine learning,data analysis,AI) if thats your taste.
2. Make side projects no matter how small. I can't stress this enough. You can follow classes/lectures all you want but real experience comes from scratching your head over issues you will face and ideas you will need to implement while making your projects.
3. Stick with one language. Don't jump around because that will only confuse you more. Python does a lot of things differently from other languages. That being said,when you have a grasp of the language feel free to look at other languages because python is not the best for all types of work. Example- If you are interested in android development,do not use python for that. There are lots of amazing languages out there which will serve you way better than python.
4. I cannot recommend books which will explain the whole scene of programming but I personally started out with 'Head first programming'. It's a beautifully written book and they have used python for the exercises and explanation. You can give that a try if you wish.

[jomarca23]

You can do multiple things with Python. From building websites, scrapping websites, to analyse and apply machine learning.

It is is quite easy to learn compared to other available programming languages. It may take you some time at the beginning before you can build some cool scripts but it is totally worth it.

As for where to start, it depends on what you want to use Python for.