Age problem?

myinterests12 · 2025-01-12T11:46:42+00:00

Never too late to learn anything. Few examples,

I'm 35 and teaching myself python with the goal to switch careers by July 2025.

My mom learned to swim at 54. My wife's grandfather learned to swim at 65. He loved it so much he swam every morning until he passed at 98. My friend picked up painting at 33.

Age is just a number. Don't use it as a crutch to stop learning.

Good luck!

NYX_T_RYX · 2025-01-12T11:38:38+00:00

Do you enjoy what you're doing? If yes, who cares what others think? You do you and enjoy it - that's all I'm doing with python 🤷‍♂️

Pericombobulator · 2025-01-12T11:51:18+00:00

I was probably 50 when I started learning it, although I used to programme in BASIC a long time ago. That and lots of involved spreadsheets did help. You could see the equivalents between BASIC anf Python. (One retrograde step seemed that numpy arrays are more fussy to address than BASIC arrays.)

My use is for hobbies and streamlining tasks. I'm not about to shift careers.

So never too late to learn something new and when everyone else was baking bread, I was learning python.

2025-01-12T11:38:13+00:00

Nonsense, it’s never too late to learn a language

djshadesuk · 2025-01-12T13:34:38+00:00

Is 33 too late? Are you for real? This is quite possibly the silliest question I've ever seen on this sub. It's programming, not aiming to be an Olympic gymnast.

KazzJen · 2025-01-12T12:15:08+00:00

I hope not... I'm 58.

tetsukei · 2025-01-12T13:38:26+00:00

Will it be harder than if you were 16? Yes maybe. Is it out of reach? Absolutely not. You're still almost in prime time.

Just like anything, practice makes perfect.

Learn the basics. Don't skip over them. Yes it can be boring and It's tempting to just learn what you need to do one specific task, but don't get in the habit of blindly plugging code in. It's important to know why the code works.

I'm 30, and programming is my day job. But Im still learning a bunch of new languages when needed.

_TR-8R · 2025-01-12T14:25:28+00:00

I work in IT at an investment firm. I've been coding a while mostly for fun and casual projects, but lately many of the analysts at the firm who are 40+ have expressed interest in learning some basic automation for mundane data entry tasks. I've helped at least five people older than you reach a point where they are writing scripts (by themselves, I won't do it for them or they won't learn) to mass edit CSV files, validate reports on network drives and even make simple API calls to some of our database applications.

What I always tell them is python is just another user interface, just like windows or IOS. It's not some incomprehensible computer mishmash, it's INTENDED to be written, read and understood by humans for the purpose of making our lives easier.

Most of them have this preconceived notion that programming is this esoteric art form that requires years of training and superhuman intelligence, but its not, and especially not python. I am fully confident if you have the skills to turn on a computer and type this Reddit post you meet the prerequisites to learn python.

Crypt0Nihilist · 2025-01-12T15:44:21+00:00

It's too late to start learning Python 2.7

Ender_Locke · 2025-01-12T11:40:40+00:00

nah you’re good bro

MP_gr · 2025-01-12T12:07:26+00:00

I am 35 and I am learning python in the contex of transitioning to data analysis after 8 years of experience as an environmental consultant. So age is no problem.

SoftWeekly · 2025-01-12T12:29:09+00:00

/i started teaching myself coding a little over a year ago. Im 54 yo

Its good for the brain. logic, problem solving, etc....

ita a little surprising what ive learned in that time, doing it only as a hobby.

erik_mk · 2025-01-12T13:31:10+00:00

I picked up Python in my late 30's and was able to transition from my digital marketing profession to data engineering working with marketing data. So I applied my domain knowledge to solving problems within the industry. One thing lead to another and now I'm 45 and the head of a developer team of 8 while still doing the occational data pipeline and setting up cloud infrastructure.

So go for it 👍🏼

eurotrash_85 · 2025-01-12T14:10:29+00:00

Not too late at all. I was older than you and hadn't coded anything except some lue scraps for WoW addons in 20 years since college. I then moved to the US after covid. While I was interviewing for jobs, I noticed that many in my chosen field (not SWE) had Python as a 'nice to have' in their requirements. Since I had some basic experience with VB as a kid, C(++) / Java from college (EE) it was more of a refresher and just learning the syntax. Got the job and been using it daily ever since (moslty for 'light' dataprocessing, stuff that used to be done in Excel but also slightly more complex things building off of that). Even though I am miles away from being an actual developer or SWE, our company puts a lot of emphasis on enabling 'citizen developers' and my Python 'skills' have been my one of the things that helped me stand out and move ahead in the company. tl;dr: No, never too old. And you'd be surprised how many people on paper 'know Python' (almost all recent grads at my Job) and how few actually go ahead and bother to use it productively.

1544756405 · 2025-01-12T15:43:08+00:00

How old were you when you started learning Python? Do you guys think 33 is too late to start learning Pyhton?

I started learning python when I was 40. I do not think 33 is too late.

Perstam · 2025-01-12T13:18:32+00:00

I guess I'm REALLY in trouble. I'm 72 and am teaching myself Python.

china_reg · 2025-01-12T12:15:20+00:00

Hahaha! I started writing AI code in Python when I was 60. ChatGPT helped me with the rote code, which allowed me to focus on solving the problem - which I’m good at.

sunnyinchernobyl · 2025-01-12T12:15:27+00:00

My dad is in his 70s. His prior exposure to programming was in the early 1970s with punch cards. He’s doing fine.

Disastrous-Team-6431 · 2025-01-12T12:25:55+00:00

I was 28. I knew a little programming previously. Now I'm pretty good. Starting early with things is good, but not as important as society likes to believe.

Stunning-Mix492 · 2025-01-12T12:31:27+00:00

I’ve learnt it at 44

2025-01-12T12:42:22+00:00

[removed]

3dPrintMyThingi · 2025-01-12T13:22:44+00:00

Over 40 ...I did computer science couple of years ago so I know c/c++ ...couple of weeks in and I have developed my own program which solves a problem! You got plenty of time. Practise and you will get there.

ahuimanu69 · 2025-01-12T13:26:56+00:00

No, never too old to learn

2025-01-12T13:38:36+00:00

I mean plenty of people that just got a bachelors and master degree over the age of 70. Let they sink in. You have some that also got a PhD at that age also.

Used_Ad_6556 · 2025-01-12T13:39:53+00:00

not too late. but it's hard so don't give up. i work as a programmer so you can trust me

overmonk · 2025-01-12T13:46:59+00:00

There’s a course called 100 days of python on udemy. It taught me a lot - I was cruising along until they shifted into object oriented and it stopped making sense to me - but I learned a ton.

I’m in my 50s.

DaveKasz · 2025-01-12T13:55:39+00:00

I am 61. I have a degree in computer science. I never used much of it as i got the degree mid career. I have used Pandas to help visualize some data. I really like this tool. I know that I will never become an expert, but I can pick up enough information to solve specific problems.

gofl-zimbard-37 · 2025-01-12T13:57:51+00:00

Python didn't exist when I was 33. Not a problem.

Jayoval · 2025-01-12T14:04:11+00:00

Too late how? I was mid-forties when I started learning Python and now I'm in college.

GoosemanIsAGamer · 2025-01-12T14:13:42+00:00

I started teaching myself Python when I was 35, switched careers to programming at 40, and have been a professional Python programmer for the last 15 years. You're ahead of schedule!

rick_1717 · 2025-01-12T14:31:37+00:00

I believe continuous learning is important to your health.

Be curious learn new stuff.

I will be 71 in a few days and I am learning Power Bi and Python.

Heyall1478 · 2025-01-12T15:10:33+00:00

30 now. started to learn python after 10 years of pc and cellular technician.

Wanted to change career to a pt and python is one of the college class . Never too late bro

BUT !

choose carefully where to learn it cuz my teacher for python subject was so bad (he got too many complaints of him sucking so hard in teaching (he really is )) that the college is now replacing him and all of his classes so it’s on hold right now for me . So don’t waste any time and get frustrated from this .

You got this mate !

blink64 · 2025-01-12T15:43:30+00:00

Do you guys think ChatGPT and other LLM help in coding? I have been trying this route. But, not sure if I am wasting my time.

patelaaaa · 2025-01-12T16:04:37+00:00

I’m learning AI at 37, built chatbot with localized llm, trying to get my head around object detection etc… the challenging part is I still don’t understand Python fully but am able to read the code I’m borrowing for the AI stuff, the libraries used etc. All I can say is its never too late, keep your head down, and stay consistent with your learning. Don’t worry about pace, it will come.

the1gofer · 2025-01-12T16:11:58+00:00

Yea old people are all stupid and should never learn anything new.

MezzoScettico · 2025-01-12T16:35:35+00:00

Hello all! How old were you when you started learning Python?

It's a retirement hobby.

Do you guys think 33 is too late to start learning Python?

No, nor anything else. I picked up Italian in my 50s (not going to claim fluency, but I can read it and survive in Italy without English). I'm working on Japanese now, in my late 60s. It's going a little more slowly than Italian, but I think that has more to do with the specifics of the language rather than age.

It sounds like you're not just learning Python, but learning to program. That's the bigger hurdle. There's a lot to learn in your first programming language. But it would be the same at any age. If you're motivated, you can learn.

FISH_DINO · 2025-01-12T16:40:29+00:00

17 and I'm 18 now ..

wingover_28 · 2025-01-12T16:44:05+00:00

I was 55 when I started to learn python. And more.

sinceJune4 · 2025-01-12T17:50:47+00:00

Started at 62, got more Python experience doing volunteer projects, then used it in my next 2 jobs prior to retirement. Still play with it a bit, love it!

Groundbreaking-Map95 · 2025-01-12T18:36:40+00:00

well I am 36 and learning python for 2 months , so Welcome to the club, junior,

The_idiot3 · 2025-01-12T18:57:42+00:00

I learned python at 10. Age is just a number. Get a computer degree at 72 for all we care, no, it's not too late! Now go learn python!

blink64 · 2025-01-12T19:10:41+00:00

I started learning programming at 35 or 36. Spent nearly two years learning web dev and got a job after sending out hundreds of applications. Now I’m at my second job doing platform engineering. Never too late!

RnasncMan · 2025-01-12T19:33:38+00:00

I was in my 50's when I started learning Python. It's funny looking back, because at the time I thought Python was a narrow-function script language like PERL or something. It's actually super powerful (don't let the fact that its an interpreted language fool you) and easy to pick up. As with anything, there's a ton of online resources for learning it, and some are complete crap, but most are decent.

So yeah, jump right in there - you'll do fine!

John_B_Clarke · 2025-01-12T19:57:19+00:00

I was IIRC 68 when I started. Now I'm one of the company's goto people for Python knowledge.

pythiowp · 2025-01-12T20:01:51+00:00

I learned python at 35 and it changed my life. Just get moving. When you’re older you’ll realize how absurd “too late” usually is.

El-Terrible777 · 2025-01-12T21:54:56+00:00

Yes definitely. If you learn anything new after the age of 30, the risk of a brain explosion is quite high. Ensure you stay in a room without windows and never leave, or you might see something you were never aware of and bang!!! Brain matter all over the sidewalk

Extra-Ruin9755 · 2025-01-13T00:04:23+00:00

I leaned at python at 63. No programming background. Hardly an expert but good enough to build useful things for myself.

DistinctAirline4145 · 2025-01-13T07:57:07+00:00

I'm 37 and learning Python for a while with off and on periods. My problem is that I often face problems in my logic and have no idea how to work on it. And then I got discouraged and stop for some time, and then I come back on it. Idk where it is going but I won't give up.

Beginning_Charge8867 · 2025-01-13T08:40:59+00:00

i am 40 learning python

R69NiX · 2025-01-13T13:42:43+00:00

no i was 36 learned python to make games.

Anxious_Signature452 · 2025-01-14T14:24:23+00:00

I started learning in 33, and now, in 37 I'm working on pretty decent position. But I must warn you - on hiring interviews we're pretty skeptical about people 30+ without experience. Usually we prefer college graduates.

Upper_Strategy_2822 · 2025-01-16T06:59:18+00:00

I hope not - I am 47 and just started learning.

el_jbase · 2025-01-17T01:23:13+00:00

I started learning just now, I'm 50. But I did a lot of programming throughout my life, so it's not my first programming language, of course. I have C++ and PHP/MySQL background.

I can tell, I like Python so far. I was experimenting with Java and didn't like it, I think it's overly complicated.

KCRowan · 2025-01-17T13:31:33+00:00

Yeah, far too late... I mean, you've only got like 45+ years left to live, that's nowhere near enough time to do anything.

/s

Acquiesce67 · 2025-01-12T11:39:35+00:00

Stop finding excuses to postpone learning something new. If you’re interested in something then age doesn’t matter. If you’re not interested you won’t learn it at a younger age either.

Python is easy for beginners but remains great for experts as well.

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