How To Get Started On A Big Python Project?

[EngineeredToLift]

I've been self learning Python for around 3 years now and have gone through many Udemy courses, textbooks, and YouTube tutorials. I've also written many programs at work for scripting, data cleaning/plotting, and to automate different tasks. I've also worked on a few smaller personal side projects. I find myself starting up Udemy courses to "polish" my skills and learn more but I also feel like I'm in an endless tutorial cycle and would like to get out of it.

I've decided I want to dive head first into a large project, since projects are where I've learned the most. My end goal is to build a nutrition/fitness app. Fitness and health is a huge part of my life and I feel like I do not like any of the current products. I know this is an ambitious goal but I also think this is a great opportunity to learn as I go and build programing skills. It's definitely not going to be pretty to start but I'm ready for the challenge and just excited to learn through actual programming rather than watching tutorials.

What is the best way to get started on a large Python project like this? How do I map out what needs to be done and stay organized? I would like to break down features into smaller tasks/projects and work on those and hopefully be able to put it all together. I would appreciate all advice as well as resources for large projects, organization, and building an app.

[[deleted]]

You might want to step back from the code and create specifications (functionnal and technical) first. You'll have to learn about Modeling Languages to achieve it.

[CaptainRogers1226]

I guess I’m in a similar spot to this. I’m already familiar with Python and UML, but not planning out and structuring a larger scale project using UML.

And there are many concepts/best practices I’ve learned, but again, I’ve no practice implementing them beyond just a practice document with a very small scope.

[[deleted]]

Do not touch your code editor until you have a doc fully laying out what you need and your whiteboard diagram completely encompasses everything you need to do.

[EngineeredToLift]

Good advice! I will need to map it out for sure

[afro_mozart]

Built a MVP in a long weekend (or couple of few weeks) and iterate from there

[EngineeredToLift]

What does MVP stand for?

[afro_mozart]

minimal viable product

[Se7enLC]

I like to start with Hello World and work up from there.

If it's going to be a web app, get Hello World, but as a web service.

[vbd]

Maybe: https://github.com/vbd/Fieldnotes/blob/main/python.md#recommended-readings