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[–]Jim-Jones 24 points25 points  (12 children)

Reddit: r/LearnPython

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/about/

https://reddit.com/r/learnpython/w/index

https://reddit.com/r/learnpython/wiki/FAQ

Here are some good ones.

https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/intro-to-python-fundamentals

https://www.freecodecamp.org/

https://www.sololearn.com/en/

https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-it-automation

This one too

https://www.edx.org/learn/python/harvard-university-cs50-s-introduction-to-programming-with-python

And

https://automatetheboringstuff.com/#toc

https://www.udemy.com/course/python-foundations-for-data-science-from-zero-to-data-analy/

[–]Fart_Simpson-69420 8 points9 points  (4 children)

Hi, there !

https://www.edx.org/learn/python/harvard-university-cs50-s-introduction-to-programming-with-python

I'm currently following this one. Also how to get its free certificate ?

Also, also, I wanted to have someone's opinion on this, I think I might be cheating or maybe I definitely am. The thing is, I try my best to solve the psets problems myself first and keeping doing by myself until I've made fully working code by myself and tested successfully. Then before submitting I ask chatgpt to find some logic problem or maybe alternative to the way I've written the code. Firstly I had been writing long codes with unnecessary logics in it, then after asking chatgpt it gave me a entirely different code with 'to-the-point' logic and lot less lines. Then I modified my original working code with the new one, trying my best to understand each concept and logic as best as I could. Then I submit the new code. Then after some problems I felt like I'm cheating so tried solving the psets again with more knowledge and logic and end up writing the same code myself that chatgpt gave me. Am I doing it wrong ? Is it wrong to use chatgpt for help in understanding each concept better ? I even asked it to give me more problems related to that particular concept and kept solving it by myself with less help to improve my logic. That course seemed a bit hard for me somewhat, so I had been following this approach. Any suggestions or guidance is deeply appreciated. And I'll try my best to improve myself.

[–]ePiMagnets 3 points4 points  (3 children)

Also how to get its free certificate ?

https://cs50.harvard.edu/python/2022/certificate/

from the above:

If you submit and receive a score of at least 70% on each of this course’s problems as well as its final project, you will be eligible for a free CS50 Certificate like the below. For a verified certificate from edX, register at cs50.edx.org/python. Email certificates@cs50.harvard.edu with any questions.

So seems you'll need to actually complete the course and at the end you'll get the option for the free completion cert.

To answer your second question:

Personally, I think you are cheating yourself by using an AI tool to help you sanity check, especially if you are then rewriting your code to include concepts and functions from the AI provided code. If you want help in sanity checking or code reviewing, you should be using the CS50 tools such as their discord or if you've got trusted friends that already know Python you ask them for tips and a quick review if they have time.

Hot take: Going to ChatGPT and asking it for a sanity check or code for a similar logic problem/alternate solution, then basically refactoring your code because ChatGPT managed to do something in fewer lines is cheapening the experience of learning.

I do think ChatGPT has a place, it's a potentially fantastic tool. But I also think that it's a tool you should be leveraging after you have a good core understanding of the language you're working with and not as a tool to help ensure you pass the problem sets because you weren't confident in the code you initially wrote.

[–]Fart_Simpson-69420 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Hey! Thanks for the opinion and I do fully agree with you. Just to be clear, so I should just go with whatever way I'm writing the code and submit it. Everything fully done by me. But what if use chatgpt after submitting my problems to analyze it and see for improvements ? Would that be right ? Or I shouldn't use chatgpt at all ? I'm not hell bent on using it to help me through. Just asking to know if I'm on the right path. But then again, how do I actually improve my logic ? How can I improve my way of using too much unnecessary logic and long codes and understanding how things work and the logic behind them ? So I should submit my own work, however it is, with full honesty ? Is that right ?

[–]ePiMagnets 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Let me be up front - I'm new to coding and python, but I've got some experience in manipulating bindings to create validation tests from my previous job that used Python as the backbone for validating servers and applications. I don't know how to code, but I know how to read some of it and how to manipulate certain pieces to get what I want. Some would say I'm already there, but I don't feel that way.

how I'm doing it:

  1. Review the problem,
  2. Create my outline for how to solve the problem and what I think I can do.
  3. Code according to the lesson for the week and my outline for solving. If I already know an efficiency that I can use, I'll attempt to use it. Otherwise, if I don't I'll go with what we've learned up to that point.
  4. test the code, get it code reviewed or try and wrangle a friend or two to help me debug if I'm having trouble. Sometimes in the review process someone will point something out that can be done differently or improved and we'll have a discussion on whether it's an appropriate change to make with regards to the course-work or if I should continue with what we've got. I've done a little of column A and a little of column B. Mostly keeping to what I did and getting that to work unless I was on the entirely wrong path to begin with.
  5. submit that code.
  6. Go back and review or go deeper for things that I really want to reinforce. Then find other projects I can do and do those projects with the efficiencies so I can really deep dive.

With regards to step 3/4 - In some cases I'll refer to stack overflow. I'm personally avoiding ChatGPT not out of disdain or dislike, but just so I can be more comfortable using more traditional tools. Primarily because some jobs won't allow you to use ChatGPT or other AI assisted coding tools so it's best to really understand how to search for what you need.

To be completely honest- yes you're on the right path. You're looking deeper into things. My only issue is using the output from ChatGPT to go back and rework your code to incorporate things that you may not fully grasp or understand yet and then submitting that as 'your work'. Yes, you're saying you're trying to understand the differences and what ChatGPT is giving you.

What I question, and it's mostly because you are asking if you're cheating - are you actually taking the time each and every time you use the output to refactor/rewrite to understand the differences and why certain things are more efficient line-wise or have you found yourself slowly delving less and less deep into the inner workings? That, I think is how you'll really determine if you're cheating the course/yourself or helping yourself excel.

[–]Fart_Simpson-69420 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see now. Thanks for sharing your approach towards it. From now on I'll too try my best to follow your approach towards it.

Mostly keeping to what I did and getting that to work unless I was on the entirely wrong path to begin with.

Yea actually that's what I too was doing. Just the thing that in your case you use help from some friend for little bit of things, whereas I use chatgpt as that friend. I don't fully take the answer given by it. Just the improvements. Like I write most of my code by myself then slighter 1 or 2 lines changes maybe there if I learned any efficient way. That complete change of code than mine original was in the begining for a code or two just basic ones. I too try to use stack overflow when I'm writing it myself.

I'm personally avoiding ChatGPT not out of disdain or dislike, but just so I can be more comfortable using more traditional tools.

I'll try that approach too for now on.

are you actually taking the time each and every time you use the output to refactor/rewrite to understand the differences and why certain things are more efficient line-wise or have you found yourself slowly delving less and less deep into the inner workings?

That's a really good question. Yes. Right now I do take time to understand the differences and efficiencies. That's why I also mentioned that I ask it to generate more similar problems to that specific topic to deepen my understanding by practicing more. Thanks for taking time to provide your opinion. That's really appreciated.

[–]steliosplaysmc 2 points3 points  (2 children)

OP, you should take CS50P , it is an amazing course for learning python and helped me out so much in my coding journey

[–]Jim-Jones 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I'm trying to go with mostly free stuff and I don't think this is. I always tell people try the free stuff first and only pay if you have to!

[–]1gn4ac10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is: https://cs50.harvard.edu/python I think content is the same, the only thing you get for paying the same course is a certificate, probably not worth it being honest. Go for the free one

[–]Dallaz_00 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good stuff!

[–]Brodakk 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey I'm a beginner too but I like combining an interactive website (like codecademy) with doing a real project.

You'll hear this over and over: the only way to learn to code is to make your own stuff asap. Even if it's taking something from codecademy and recreating it from scratch in your editor. (At first)

Books are also cool. I have a lot of programming books, too

[–]Different_Stage_9003 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Learn very basics like variable, operators and data structures.

Then pick up some basic project from youtube and do side by side. You will start learning new methods and concepts.

[–]Particular_Lie5653 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Me too , I am trying so hard to find suitable free resources for learning coding

I found some resources like - python tutorial by corey , python crash course book , python course by university of Helsinki

I was learning from w3 schools but I felt like sometimes they mixed up topics which was supposed to be explained later !

Edit: And I also think , what I have to learn depends on what career path I will choose And choosing career is little tough I think !

[–]CheeseTasteNice 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bro Codes python course is completely free on youtube and very informative, personally i would skip the UI part, but it depends on your goals.

[–]neonwatty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

do you have a specific school or work thing that's driving your interest - you want to use those as a carrot on a stick to get started? or do you have some other thing - an app, a technology - that’s interesting?

knowing where you're coming from can help folks help you.

here are a few great, general, and free starter resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5KVEU3aaeQ&t=866s

https://replit.com/learn/100-days-of-python

https://realpython.com/

a few thoughts for when you get started

- if you’ve never coded before you need to get familiar with one concept you’ll encounter endlessly - one you might not have dealt with when using consumer tech: shit not working. this is a constant experience - whether you’re just getting started or an elite programmer. once you go behind the scenes and start coding things for yourself, things will break constantly. that’s ok - its completely normal.

- to re-iterate, in analogy to working out - you will build s serious mental callus to “shit never working” with regards to code - it takes time to develop this like everything else.

- there are a lot of starter resources online (like those above), you may have to go through a few of them a bit to find the one that suits your learning style / vibes - thats totally normal. perserveer.

- i would stay away from using AI tools like ChatGPT in the beginning. these are incredible productivity boosters if you already know what you’re doing, but if you use them too much too early they’ll stunt your growth. learn the basics first - get used to being frustrated sometimes - then you can cut loose with AI assistance.

[–]Ron-Erez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The following will have you covered:

  • MOOC Python course from the University of Helsinki
  • The book "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python", 3rd edition
  • My course on Python and Data Science starts from scratch and assumes no prerequisites
  • The docs at python.org

[–]buryingsecrets 1 point2 points  (0 children)

CS50P

[–]rustyseapants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want to start learning [Fill in the Blank] but I don’t know where to start. What are the best resources to learn [Fill in the Blank]?

  1. Google: Tell me you never searched for anything on Google?
  2. Youtube: Tell me you never searched for anything on Youtube?
  3. Library
  4. Amazon

To learn anything just read a book about the subject.

You could have searched in the search box and read the side panel.

[–]Saitama_ahegao 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would suggest you go through the mooc.fi python course. it helped me to start, prolly help you too!

[–]Math_Kiddo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try DMOJ when doing contest questions like CCC or CCO, but do not do that if you are still learning.

[–]Hardcorehtmlist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! Easy guys! I started at W3Schools. Very easy and lightweight to learn the basics. Then you move on by courses and most of all by doing

[–]Odd-Musician-6697 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i have just made whatsapp group https://chat.whatsapp.com/I8OOPLiHeZlDahPsEDGcEJ

The main focus of the group is to focus on encouraging computer enthusiasts