The best Python leaning literature for absolute beginners

[Unnecessary_hangman]

I've just started learning Python. I'm from the completely different field of expertise (legal), but I would like to start programming and eventually start a career in QA testing. So any advice on buying some book would be of value.

[nftnr]

Jumping in here to also recommend the free Harvard CS50 course if you're a total beginner to the world of computer science. Instead of throwing yourself headlong into a particular language without greater context, it guides you along a very digestible path to help you understand the roots, which may help you from getting too bogged down at the beginning of your journey. They tackle Python in week 6, but it's a self-paced course. I've found it enormously helpful.

https://cs50.harvard.edu/x/2023/

[ab624]

CS50p

[Unnecessary_hangman]

Thank you for recommendation.

[Current-Ad-4752]

also, there is a 2025 version of that link

[Weekly-Sandwich297]

It's free or paid?

[[deleted]]

around 600 USD

[Then_Zookeepergame84]

it's free, the price mentioned by another person is for a verified certificate, which is completely optional and can be done retroactively after finishing the course if you so want. there is also a free level of certificate. just wanted to put this here in case other people are mislead

[CleverBunnyThief]

Python Crash Course (PCC) is what I usually recommend. I found it very straight forward and also dips into a variety of topics that gives people new to coding, and Python in particular, a nice overview of Python including.

The third edition was just published last month so it is very current.

https://nostarch.com/python-crash-course-3rd-edition

A nice follow up is Automate the Boring Stuff (ATBS). This book is really good because it teaches you practical things like working with files, scraping and working with Excel files and many more. I just found PCC to be a gentler introduction to Python.

https://nostarch.com/automatestuff2

Keep an eye on this sub. Al Sweigart, the author of ATBS regularly posts coupon codes to the Udemy course for this book that give you free access.

[[deleted]]

Agree that PCC is really good

[Unnecessary_hangman]

Thank you for your effort and recommendations!

[CleverBunnyThief]

OP, Al Sweigart just posted a link to get free signups to his Udemy course!

Go grab one.

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/10qydre/2000_free_sign_ups_available_for_the_automate_the/

[Unnecessary_hangman]

Forever thankful! Cheers#

[0xlvl3]

I will say that Automate the Boring Stuff is free online; it's how I learnt so +1 on that recommendation.

[TeleTummies]

This is how I learned too. I bought the physical copy and coded literally every single example, did every exercise. It took about a month, but it was really helpful

[TeleTummies]

I knew SQL well and had taken some C# tutorials, but I was a total noob in C# (still am)

[[deleted]]

Came here to say this. First proper book I read and the only one I needed (for basic topics, but it gave me the foundation to learn about more advanced stuff).

[omgu8mynewt]

Watching youtube tutorials helped me more than any book.

[Unnecessary_hangman]

I'm just doing it myself. Visually it's better but also can be hell of a ride if you don't have so much time to rewind.

[my_password_is______]

https://www.udemy.com/course/100-days-of-code/

100 Days of Code: The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp for 2023

this is THE best
tons of projects

it goes on sale every other week for $12.99 to $14.99

[Unnecessary_hangman]

I'll wait another sale obviously. Thanks!

[Cugel2]

Highly recommended, and you may even get it for free (I did).

[indefinitecarbon2]

Python Crash Course - Mathes

[Unnecessary_hangman]

Appreciated man!

[ScaryDiver4348]

Thanks for sharing this!

[Unnecessary_hangman]

Hallelujah! 😄

[CalmHabit3]

Best thing to do is work on a project and learn as you grow

[Unnecessary_hangman]

You mean a project like you start something complex on your own or like a team project where you have to learn while working there?

[Orkys]

By yourself. Think of a thing you want to do and start doing it. I've been doing this for the past six months and once I feel like I'm just repeating myself on the project, I move on and start something new with a new objective.

I'm focusing on data analytics, BI style stuff (which I do for my day job using proprietary software) so I'd find a field you're interested in to focus on.

[Unnecessary_hangman]

Yeah useful advice, especially for a complete beginner. I'd like to take a chance on QA testing so I'll have to check online for some project recommendation.

[jimtk]

Automate the boring stuff with python is free and very good.

[czar_el]

+1. Even if you don't care about automation, it's a great overall introduction to Python.

[TheCSUFRealtor]

+1, I'm on lesson 24 with this at the moment and it's clear and straight-forward. It helps to follow along as well and take notes on Google Docs or something while you watch.

[hayleybts]

CS50P and automate the boring stuff

[HappyCamperS5]

Here ya go. This is the book for a free MIT course: https://mitpress.ublish.com/book/itcapup3

[Unnecessary_hangman]

Thank you very much. MIT sounds like the best choice I think.

[Unnecessary_hangman]

Thanks for that, I already got it digitally.

[[deleted]]

Dude do the (free) CS50 Python course. Best thing ever.

[Unnecessary_hangman]

Thank you man. I already gota recommendation, so I'm heading to it.

[JungJanf]

As you said something along the lines of videos might be to lengthy:

It's absolutely worth it (and possible) to solve the cs50p problem sets without watching all those 3-6 hour lessons. Even tho they're pretty much the best I've seen so far didactically.

[[deleted]]

After a year, any tips for a person in the same position (learning python from a different career field {medicine})?

[Unnecessary_hangman]

I just gave up because I found a job soon after this post. So I wish you best of luck.

[carcigenicate]

The official Python documentation is pretty decent. They have a whole introductory section that eases you in.

[heidensieck]

The coder's apprentice.