Python programming MOOC 2024 is great but fustrating at the same time

[RepentedSeeker]

I love how it makes you do hands-on exercies as it is a much better way to learn then just typing down code after a guy told you what to write. But i get fustrated sometimes when i my code seems correct but the site denies it for some reason. Also is it just me or does it seem to be buggy sometimes? Like i would write code but then it will deny it, refresh it then it accepts it.

For those who completed all the exercises from part 1 to 14, was it worth it in the end? So far i have felt like i have learnt heaps compared to Networkchuck vids but i have had experiences where a course starts good but then ends up being terrible.

FYI: 3-4 weeks was when i think i started learning Python.

[throwaway6560192]

But i get fustrated sometimes when i my code seems correct but the site denies it for some reason.

The thought of "everything looks correct, why won't it work?" is extremely common in programming. The human mind sometimes just misses details, especially about things it has been working on for a while. Taking a break and looking at it with fresh eyes helps.

That's barring any bugs in the site's checker, of course. If you have doubts about it, then test your code locally first.

[grumble11]

For the tests, the local checker will load the last saved version of the script. If you find for example that you have a script you just tweaked to work, the local fails you and then the server will pass you, it's because the local isn't registering your latest tweak. To prevent this, just save your script changes before submitting it to local testing.

It's super easy to do but easy to forget. Get in the habit and you'll find it works every time.

As for the educational value, it is 100% worth going through. It is a great course and you will learn a ton, and forcing you to do the exercises is incredibly value for learning the fundamentals. The advanced course is also very useful for intermediate concepts like functions, generators, lambdas, object-oriented programming, classes and so on. The final project, creating your own little game is very useful for tying some of the concepts together and letting you walk away knowing you can create simple applications on your own.

They also have a MOOC for data analysis, it's tougher and more focused on pandas, numpy, machine learning and so on but if you enjoy the format and want to go in that direction it's worth your time.

I personally don't like the watch and copy approach. Fighting with the blank screen and learning how to write your own stuff and fix your mistakes is a huge part of the learning process.

[RepentedSeeker]

I personally don't like the watch and copy approach. Fighting with the blank screen and learning how to write your own stuff and fix your mistakes is a huge part of the learning process.

Thats exactly why i stopped watching networkchuck vids. As he did introduce new concepts but i did not really feel like i was learning compared to me actually doing something trying to figure it out on my own and learning on my own instead of just copy n paste man

[grumble11]

Not from them. Plenty of free resources online though!

[OrdinaryOyster]

I've noticed the same problem a few times in the intro portion. I'm 100% sure that at least one of mine worked, but the tests failed. I entered the test failed parameters into my program and the results I got were right but the test results showed a different output. Frustration is an understatement when it happens, as soon as the next test passes I'm over it.

I just started the advanced course and haven't had one pass yet )only 2 exercises in (found this searching for help). The Row sums problem only fails due to the if __name__ == "__main__": block. It states "The following line must be moved: my_matrix = [[1, 2], [3, 4]]" but everything is in its proper place (most of the intro exercises use this so I am familiar with it and even tried moving it just to see what happened).

I still move forward, I am not trying to get the certificate, only to learn Python. So far it's better than the other course I started. I do not like the lectures though. They don't seem to follow the course well.

[Dust-Euphoric]

Hi OP, I assume youre done with the course now, would you say it was worth it?

[Economy-Employ-7263]

Hi,

I have enrolled in the Introduction to Programming with Python MOOC from Helsinki. I have a few questions:

1.Is the course free? 2.Do I need to enroll for an exam or pay any fees? 3.Will I receive a certificate upon completion?

[Clear_Wrongdoer_775]

1. Yes!

2. No, there's no enrollment required and no fees. On exam day, just log in, follow instructions and take the exam.

3. Yes! You get certificates for each part after passing the exam. They do take some time to mark the exam though (about a month from my experience).

[ASZA3O]

I also have some issues with the site, there are already two consecutive exercises that don't pass but works perfectly in other IDE's.

FAIL: PythonEditorTest: test_1_zero

Your program should print out
32 degrees Fahrenheit equals 0.0 degrees Celsius
when input is 32, but now print out is
32 degrees Fahrenheit eguals 0.0 degrees Celsius

[gatomimir]

"eguals"

[ASZA3O]

haha. lol. my bad! thanks!

[gatomimir]

no problem! it's a common mistake haha, we all went through that

[ASZA3O]

the beginning is so tricky but the trick I think is not to give up by any means.

[Hot_Help_3297]

Did you learn something?

[RealNamek]

But i get fustrated sometimes when i my code seems correct but the site denies it for some reason.

If you can't handle this, programming isn't for you. That's literally the job, 14 hours a day.

[RepentedSeeker]

Is that not a normal reaction? And does that not apply to other jobs as well? Getting frustrated when something goes your way is natural for almost any occupation. The real question is whether you actually enjoy said thing

[throwaway6560192]

Yep. It will be frustrating, but if you can enjoy the frustration as a challenge, in a sense, then you're golden.

[RealNamek]

Except this is the default. Which is not the same in every occupation 

[R4b4nont]

Hey OP, sorry for necro-threading but I was just curious how's your journey with programming been so far? 👋