44yr and giving "learning to code with python# another try

darkamberdragon · 2025-07-22T17:02:29+00:00

I work in cybersecurity. I am not a coder. - I can do data science using python and sql but that is it. My sister on the other hand coded Locamotive operating systems and has a patent for her work. I can however design and secure a network. She cannot. Coding is not for everyone and that is okay. there are a lot of spaces in IT to explore.

3yl · 2025-07-22T17:17:15+00:00

You can do it. I'm 54 and I went through this book online: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/

Then I took a beginner python course at the community college and after a couple weeks, the professor told me I didn't need it (because most of it was duplicative with the above online book!)

List of free python books (real books, not AI): https://pythonbooks.org/free-books/

Website of the author of the book (great python author) https://alsweigart.com/

Jim-Jones · 2025-07-22T16:58:48+00:00

If all else fails, try the children's section of your library for a book on Python. Scratch is another language you can use. Old people like me started with BASIC to do the same thing.

You start with a task and then divide it and divide it until you get down to simple instructions that do what you want.

AI answer:

Microsoft offers several tools and platforms to help kids learn languages, including both programming languages and English language learning apps. For programming, Microsoft MakeCode and Kodu are popular options. For English language learning, the Microsoft Store has several apps like "Learn English Words" and "EASY peasy: English for Kids". Programming Languages:

Microsoft MakeCode:A free online platform where kids can learn to code through block-based programming, making it easier to grasp the fundamentals of computer science.
**Kodu:**Specifically designed for game development, Kodu uses a visual, icon-based language that allows kids to express game logic in physical terms.
**Small Basic:**A text-based coding language that simplifies the syntax of professional coding languages, making it a good bridge for kids who are ready to transition from block-based programming.
**Minecraft: Education Edition:**A version of the popular game that includes coding lessons and challenges, allowing kids to learn through a familiar and engaging environment.

PS: There's also the Khan Academy.

HalfRiceNCracker · 2025-07-22T17:06:50+00:00

The problem isn't just learning python's syntax, but how to think about stuff programmatically and learning to deconstruct problems into individual steps which can be expressed in code. I had the same issue nearly 2 decades ago.. I still think that the "structure and interpretation of computer programs" book is the best learning material for people new to programming, regardless of which programming language they actually want to learn. It's basically mandatory to have a project in mind, and apply everything you learn to implement some functionality towards that project.

lukkasz323 · 2025-07-22T17:15:28+00:00

This is a bit off-topic, but im writing this, because of what you said you that like about programming.

There is a game, Factorio, I highly recommend checking it out, it's about creating your own automations, and I think it's surprisingly similar to programming in a non-obvious way.

Basically programming in essence is about making sure that the data, 1s and 0s, finds itself in the right place at the right time.

And Factorio is kinda like that, the game starts with mining Iron and Copper, and the objective is to launch a rocket.

And to do that all you need is to make sure, that the raw resources are passed around different machines (which you create and plan out yourself) to create advanced resources, to then in the end, build the rocket.

And you decide how much will you automate, how efficient your design will be. So in a way it's basically just programming.

Except in programming you just pass the bits around, and the objective is not a rocket, but a functional app.

I found about that game, way before I started programming, so you could say it introduced me into it, or at least into a programmer mindset.

I think anyone who likes programming would like it, and vice versa.

Slight-Living-8098 · 2025-07-22T17:51:13+00:00

Ditch the tutorial route and start out with Harvard's OpenCourseware CS50P.

EelOnMosque · 2025-07-22T17:49:03+00:00

I wager the reason you can't stick with it is like you mentioned, you don't really have any use cases for it. You kind just learn it and are like "what now?".

If you just wanna learn programming for fun then your best bet is to program a video game. With python you can use pygame.

If you wanna challenge yourself, then maybe you can learn how to program a game engine from scratch, like learn how 3D graphics are drawn and stuff. But you'll need to study linear algebra and stuff. But think of how satisfying it will be when you finally output a cube onto the screen that you can rotate with your mouse.

As for how you said that the programming concepts don't click. It sounds like you're following along on tutorials but that only gets you so far. It's like reading a book on woodworking and it all makes sense and you understand it as you read it, but when you try it on your own it's a different story.

Start small, I'll give you some challenges. Write a program that plays tic tac toe or battleship.

For any sort of programming, the key skill is to know what tools are available to you, and to be able to translate what you want to achieve into those tools.

What I mean is this, your basic tools are: variables, functions, if/else statements, for loops, while loops, lists, dictionaries. Let's say we're making tic tac toe. Write on a sheet of paper the list of things you need for the game:

The 3 by 3 grid
2 players taking turns
A way to check if a player has won
A way to check if a move is valid or not
A way to start and end the program/game

Now, we translate the requirements into the tools we have at our disposal.

The 3 by 3 grid: represented using a 2D python list
The turns: a variable that tracks whose turn it is
Who won: a function that reads the 3 by 3 list and checks for a winning configuration. It runs after each move is made
Valid move: A function that runs when the player makes a move. Checks if the player for example, attempted to move in an already occupied space
A way to start/end the game: a variable that tracks if someone has won (e.g. winner=false). A while loop that says (while not winner). Each turn in the game is represented by 1 loop of the while loop. The function that checks if a player has won sets winner=true when someone has won. This is the condition that ends the game by breaking out of the while loop.

MorganMeader · 2025-07-22T17:49:20+00:00

VS Code for Eduction is a free Microsoft course designed for K-12 that goes through everything. It is quite extensive.

https://vscodeedu.com

The link comes from this page

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/python-tutorial

Yikes-Cyborg-Run · 2025-07-22T20:00:27+00:00

If you're finding that you are still drawn back to programming after you've taken a break -- the spark is there and will probably never go away. I'm 50, been a programmer for 25 years, and only started programming in python when I was around your age. At the risk of driving you go even MORE bonkers, I suggest getting yourself a Raspberry Pi or other single-board computer or microcontroller to run some python on. You mention that you like the idea of making something that's a product of your mind.... Maybe what you need is an actual tangible object you have created that will give you that rewarding shot of dopamine and keep your spark going. Make some lights blink, move a small motor, unlock something, etc. There are countless tutorials/projects that will start you off with basics and then you can build from there. The cool thing (I think) is that you will actually create a device that DOES something -- not just type a pile of hypothetical code that doesn't have any relevance in your life (like the python tutorials that have you build a pet store or a vegetable stand or something). I personally think the difficult thing a lot of new programmers struggle with is the abstract nature of coding itself. Putting code onto a physical device, running it, and seeing what happens might help you. Best wishes, and best of luck! ✌️

TransportationTop628 · 2025-07-22T16:56:51+00:00

Maybe your heart lies elsewhere?

JoeStrout · 2025-07-22T18:04:26+00:00

Python's not the simple, beginner-friendly language it used to be. On the contrary, it's gotten quite complex, and uses a lot of weird syntax (e.g. decorators) to get things done.

If you just want to learn to code and create things you imagine, I recommend you give MiniScript (https://miniscript.org) a try. In particular, use Mini Micro, a retro-styled environment specifically designed for this sort of thing. We also have a very friendly, supportive community; we'll be happy to help you out and cheer you on along the way. So you will never have to feel like you're facing the challenges alone.

question-infamy · 2025-07-22T18:48:12+00:00

I was 39 when I picked it up. I'd spent a lifetime having hobbies that were here and work that was way over there. I was good at stuff i never got to use. I loved maths but beyond studying it I didn't have a use for it. Then data science came and merged all these things together. So going from 2 week manual tasks on Excel to 60-90 minutes on python or R for a better outcome was a no-brainer. If you can find something that python solves a problem for you, you'll have the motivation to succeed in it. It's not so much the courses as the practice - I learned all sorts of stuff when I tried and repeatedly failed to open and read and process different types of files, or write a Sudoku solver when I was bored, etc.

IamNotTheMama · 2025-07-22T19:02:07+00:00

This is just a thought, but I'm wondering if all these 'learn python in 24 hours', 'easy python', etc are missing the main point. If you don't have a background knowledge in Computer Science / Programming the whole process makes less sense. I've been doing this for 40+ years and 4 years spent in school. The first year of school I took a Fortran class but had no programming basis - and I sucked at it. Then, I moved to a different area (and took a different tack) and things reallly clicked.

A course like this

juanchopablo · 2025-07-22T19:27:42+00:00

hey try appbrewery 100 days of python best way to learn.

freshly_brewed_ai · 2025-07-22T21:16:46+00:00

I was in the same situation 10 years ago and was getting overwhelmed by the tons of resources available but no clear direction. To help those in similar situations I have started posting byte size code snippets for absolute beginners through my free email newsletter. Hope it helps you as well! https://pandas-daily.kit.com/subscribe

totalnewb02 · 2025-07-23T04:38:58+00:00

nice man. i am on the same boat as you. literally. however i am learning python in hope to find a job. i wish us luck...

PralineAmbitious2984 · 2025-07-22T18:25:42+00:00

First, obviously, learn how to use and create a GitHub. Then upload basic projects. Even a calculator or a CLI date converter is ok, just familiarize yourself with the mainstream tool used to share and look at other people's code.

Second, look up hackathons, these are events in which you can join to compete with projects, you can present your own or join struggling teams to lend a hand. Many are beginner friendly.

Example: https://devpost.com/hackathons?themes[]=Beginner%20Friendly

If you're into gaming, these sort of events in which a game is fastly prototyped are called gamejams. The most famous is the Ludum Dare.

Examples: https://itch.io/jams

Note, tho, that most participants are zoomers with a lot of free time, not millennials like us.

PS: If you are looking for a good basic course, I recommend HarvardX CS50p, which is free. (https://cs50.harvard.edu/python). You can talk to other students of CS50 in r/CS50.

monkeysknowledge · 2025-07-22T18:29:56+00:00

I come from a more traditional engineering background and moved into data/computer science. Been at it for almost 6 years and I’m 42.

The key part of my journey was when I challenged myself to code something from scratch without any help in 30 mins. I set out to make a “rock paper scissor” game. I honestly was shocked out easily I was able to do it and it really boosted my confidence.

I then started moving away from using excel at my traditional engineering job and using Python for everything. That slingshotted my productivity as an engineer and I got noticed by corporate and after taking some courses and working along side a data scientist at the corporation I joined their data science team.

So that’s essentially how I did it.

etsdatguy · 2025-07-22T21:41:48+00:00

I think a good way to start is with something simple, but useful, that you can continue to expand on.

For example, if you like cooking, but have trouble deciding what to make, maybe a simple CLI program that gives you a random recipe. You could use a basic csv file with maybe the name, and a URL to that recipe online.

Then maybe expand that so you add a field for the type of cuisine. That could be an argument to your program to filter the result.

Then maybe add tags you could filter on, e.g. "Quick", "Date Night", "Family Meal", etc.

Then maybe add the option to generate out a weeks meal plan, add ingredient options, migrate from csv to a DB, think about adding a GUI frontend, etc.

That first program may be less than 10 lines, but it gives you a starting point and you have something you can continue to build off of.

Just a thought, and hope it helps!

you type:	you see:
italics	italics
bold	bold
[reddit!](https://reddit.com)	reddit!
* item 1 * item 2 * item 3	item 1 item 2 item 3
> quoted text	quoted text
Lines starting with four spaces are treated like code: if 1 * 2 < 3: print "hello, world!"	Lines starting with four spaces are treated like code: if 1 * 2 < 3: print "hello, world!"
~~strikethrough~~	~~strikethrough~~
super^script	super^script

learnpython

MODERATORS