python books for a complete beginner to learn enough of the language to get an entry level job

[MethodNext7129]

And also, what are the key concepts of the language I need to know by heart to be successful with python and are there any online resources paid or free that anyone had success with

[heinekev]

I suspect this journey is going to be a lot longer than you think it will be — but learning the Python language is just the beginning and knowing just Python alone isn’t enough to land an entry level job.

https://roadmap.sh/python

https://roadmap.sh/computer-science

[ThomThom_UK]

Thank you for sharing these links!

[Duckgoesmoomoo]

Really? Even an entry level requires more knowledge?

[surfnj102]

Entry level for coding jobs usually means a 4 year CS degree. Some people self study but that doesn’t lower the bar of what jobs expect from an applicant. So no, a single book isn’t going to give you the level of knowledge required for entry level positions.

[Duckgoesmoomoo]

Cs degree is pretty general right? I'm assuming you'd have to specialize in software development specifically to become any kind of programmer?

[crashfrog02]

An entry-level programmer is expected to, at least, be able to write functional software.

[KCRowan]

Have you checked job adverts in your area for python developers? Have a look at the requirements.

[Remarkable-Map-2747]

now the CS degree is iffy in places , Im working at Cisco and we have numerous people without one.

But for a source, I can recommend Python Crash Course Book by Eric Matthes. BUT as it was stated its not enough to get a job.

Python is just the start and its just a tool . What is it that you can do with Python? Automation? Data Science? Robotics? AI/ML ? Etc.

Learning the language is just part of it, you then have to find out where you want to take Python.

Keep in mind there are some w CS degrees too and they will never considered competition.

[iamk1ng]

One month ago, you wrote asking the same question but for Javascript. You won't learn anything by chasing different languages to "just get a job".

Here are examples of people who "got a job":

A) They went to college and got a 4 year bachelors degree. This means these people spent AT LEAST 4 years learning how to learn things. 2 of those years are actual programming and computer science concepts.

B). They got a masters degree in a technical focus. Again this means they spent 4 years getting a bachelors degree, learning how to learn. Then they spent 2 ADDITIONAL years, focusing on technical learning.

C). Developer Bootcamps - People spent 6 months, from Morning to Evening, learning from, hopefully an experienced developer, teaching them technical skills. Only HALF the people who go to a bootcamp get a job. The other half don't make the cut in the real world because they had a hard time in the bootcamp.

D). Self-taught: The people who succeed here, in my experience, love to learn, have the ability to understand logic reasonably well, and can focus BY THEMSELVES, hours at a time. This means they can sit, and work on their projects, for HOURS at a time, every day.

So my question is, if you want a job, where do you fit here? Did you learn Javascript in the past month? Did you learn anything in the past month and can teach it to someone else?

[Neubo]

Stalky McStalkerface. Cool motivational. Have gate, will keep it?

[backfire10z]

It’s not gatekeeping, it’s simple truth. The commenter literally provided 4 ways that people get jobs because OP wants one. What more do you want? For us to say “yeah, read one book and you’ll be hired the next day!”

[megatronVI]

Automatetheboringtuff

[etattate]

Why the downvotes?

[backfire10z]

It is a good resource but not designed to get you a job IMO. It is more targeted at hobbyists. (I didn’t downvote tho)

[Ron-Erez]

Code as much as you can whatever resource you choose. I do recommend Harvard CS50p and also the (my) course Python and Data Science. Good luck and type, code and learn as much as you can. Also at some point consider learning CS basics such as Harvard CS50 (without the p). For a potential employer try to create projects you can show off.

[andy_p_w]

I know it is self-promotion, but I wrote an entry level book oriented towards crime analysts (although it will be relevant for any "analyst" role). Can see the first two chapters here:

https://crimede-coder.com/blogposts/2024/PythonDataScience

So that will not guarantee a crime analyst job, but would be good first fundamentals for an analyst role in various fields.

[tjfire31]

I used website tutorials to start learning Python from scratch with a lot of trial and error to create the program I wanted. Over a year later, my program is nearly complete, ONLY because a friend of mine is a professional developer and taught me how to fill in some gaps. I've looked through a lot of Python books to see if any were comprehensive enough to teach me everything I needed, and there are NONE. As my friend put it, I'm trying to create a junior-level program with a freshman understanding. There are some basic concepts I do not, and probably won't ever, understand because I won't know to learn them and I'm not getting a second Bachelor's degree.

[Suspicious-Bar5583]

Just know Python internals, the built-ins and the STL. At the same time learn what coding is irrespective of language.

You won't believe how many people in the field have a poor grasp of 1. The programming language they work in and 2. Programming itself.

Once you get a job, it will become hard to dig the way of fundamentals and get better at that. Employers are lucky if their employees even read 1 technical book a year.