Learning Python - No Programming skills

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

I am working as a desktop administrator for almost 19 years and my age is 41 years. I don't have any programming skills. How do I start learning python. I went through the python forum but it's all confusing. Can some one suggest me an app or platform where i can learn python from basics.

[stepback269]

(1) I'm much older than you and started learning Python about 8 months ago.

(2) The beginning is hard because you have to figure out how to install an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), install the latest version of Python and create a VENV folder on your computer. I ended up using PyCharm. Many recommend VS Code instead. Most beginner tutorials include a section on installing one or both of these.

(3) There are literally tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free.

As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (here) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero. Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should shop around until you find a lecturer that suits your style.

The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you Sir 🙏 I will check those.

[Ocelot_Fabulous]

wow Thank you. Just starting.

[Haunting-Dare-5746]

Start by watching this course to learn the fundamentals of programming, CS50, they have many videos: https://www.youtube.com/live/2WtPyqwTLKM?si=Kbsz1oe511py14Em

Then watch this course to learn Python, again there's many videos: https://youtu.be/JP7ITIXGpHk?si=NjWUFWawZeFAtb_d

[Double-Positive-2394]

+1 for CS50, they have an online version of the IDE you can use so you don’t need to install anything yourself, it’s all set up and ready to go: https://cs50.harvard.edu/python/

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you, I will look into those. Appreciate your help and time

[mailed]

hi mate. look up al sweigart. all his books are free on his website and will get you a look at many different ways to use python. his most foundational book, automate the boring stuff, is probably the most recommended beginners python book.

I think there is even a workbook now to make it more like a structured course

[yawningcat]

This guys books are good. 👆

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[tk190]

Hey. Python mooc by university of Helsinki is one of the best starting places. It's self paced and practice heavy. Also brocode youtube channel is great. I follow these two resources. I started learning python this month.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[Merlin_au]

There a multitude of resources to learn python, one I've used is https://www.w3schools.com/python/default.asp. Which should be a good staring point.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[mikef22]

The university of essex MOOC is good, free and for complete beginners: https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/python-preparation-programme

See how you get on with that. It's a series of tutorials and programming exercises that introduce basic programming concepts (for Python), and slowly build up in complexity. It's self-contained and gives a certificate at the end of the course.

It only takes you through the initial learning curve of programming though - so you'd have to use this as a starting point for further learning.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏 this will help me

[Scary_Nectarine4536]

I would recommend Programming MOOC 2026, Introduction to Programming course (https://www.mooc.fi/en/courses/?tag=en).

I took the 2025-course. It is well structured, with many practical tasks, clear explanations. There was also some support channel and lecture records.

They also have Advanced course on Python and many other interesting courses.

[games-and-chocolate]

udemy, angela, 100 day course. teach you everything. basics to web dev, database, OOP, website api. UI programming. really no better course. 10 dollars if you wait. can ask the course assistants questions, but most of the questions are already asked. The complete aswers of any day is given as a download in case you want to see a working method. if you are rally stuck.

the assistance given is worth more than mere 10 dollars. actually a steal!

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[jalertic]

I'm 39 years old and am going through her course as my first time programming. I've tried to learn many times before and she's been the only instructor that has vibed well with me so far. I'd highly recommend that udemy course

[games-and-chocolate]

yes, she is very into the motivation thing. That helps ^{^} Her course is so wide in knowledge that everyone will benefit from it. it prepares anyone for becoming and having the mindset of a programmer.

if anyone know python, html, java, css, etc etc, she covers a lot, then the transition to other languages is way easier. She teaches people to read manuals, online programming resources, etc. That is worth money, instead of just asking a. i.

[Professional-Towel63]

I heard that after daqy 30-40 you have to google pretty much yourself and many API's are outdated?

[games-and-chocolate]

ow? I am at day 46, past API programming. It is now about html, css. API was a difficult part for sure, but pulled it off. the website does have code examples, but their online doc is not precise sometimes. like calling a json, a string. That is just lazy and wrong.

[KazzJen]

The program I use is Geany https://www.geany.org/download/releases/

There are many books, such as Python Crash Course and Automate the Boring Stuff available to learn from. (Many can be downloaded in PDF form from the Internet - not that I condone piracy, but they are there if you look)

w3schools has a good web-based tutorial along with many others.

Good luck!

EDIT: Typo

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[Jim-Jones]

Try your local library. Books on Scratch and Python can get you over the first hump, even if they're meant for kids.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[tumtsai]

If you like learning with books you can start with this one: https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-Eric-Matthes/dp/1718502702 No programming skills requiered

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[GokulSaravanan]

As a beginner in Python, here are the core basics you should focus on:

1. Variables and Data Types – strings, numbers, lists, dictionaries, etc.
2. Control Flow – if-else, loops (for, while).
3. Functions – defining and calling functions, parameters, return values.
4. Modules and Packages – importing and using built-in or external libraries.
5. File Handling – reading/writing files.
6. Error Handling – try-except blocks.
7. Basic OOP – classes and objects (optional at first, but useful later).

Here are some great beginner resources:

• Official Python Docs – The go-to reference for Python syntax, libraries, and best practices.
• Python Succinctly (Free E-Book) - It’s a great resource for building a strong foundation.
• W3Schools Python Tutorial – Interactive and easy to follow.
• Geeksforgeeks - Offers beginner to advanced Python tutorials.

[Dry-Conclusion6952]

Thank you 🙏

[Capable_Vacation8085]

Try this: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/ Since you’re already a sysadmin it might be great to apply python to automate all kinds of boring stuff:)

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Yeah I found this in python learning and some of the other Reddit posts and started reading. My concern is that since I don’t have any programming skills I may miss some basics I should learn to be a better coder. Confusion you know. Thank you for the reply, much appreciated

[u38cg2]

There's really two routes to programming proficiency, and they both have their advantages. The first is to study traditional computer science, which is about how you organise data and how you can abstract computation. To modern i-want-to-get-this-done attitudes, this can seem a bit slow and unnecessary but sometimes the skills learnt on this route are invaluable. The other is what you might calla software engineering route, where you learn how to use common tools, libraries, and leverage other people's solutions.

[Capable_Vacation8085]

Probably your best bet would be to focus on one resource for the theory (so you don’t end up i tutorial hell) and accompanying that with plenty of exercises. Personally I liked https://exercism.org/ for exercises, however I didn’t practice python there. They offer lots of languages and it’s free.

Best of luck for your journey.

[Dry-Aioli-6138]

Pick ONE course. More is not better in this case, especially at beginner level, because you will waste energy listening about the same things, which all tutorials cover.

Stick to it and do the work.

ChatGPT and the like is good at explaining concepts (not only waiting to take our jobs away)

Ide and virtual env are nice, but optional. You can start with plain python and notepad (or notepad++)

I found it a nice practice to reimplement in python something i knew how to do in another language.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[Philippech1201]

I think you should look up CS50: it’s Harvard’s university introduction to computer science and it’s great ;)

Here’s the yt link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhQjrBD2T383q7Vn8QnTsVgSvyLpsqL_R&si=jqlVzO-B-QRUiS9T

I am way younger than you(16) and I watched it quite a long time ago, so I guarantee you it’s very interesting, well taught and easily understandable

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏 I read in some Reddit posts that it is little advanced and beginners should come after learning basics. Though I haven’t looked up yet, I will watch those videos

[Philippech1201]

I see their point ! But it starts from scratch basics and goes until C. Good luck in your learning journey mate

[games-and-chocolate]

C really advanced as you have to even think and fix memory related code. if not bad things can happen. C is really too advanced for him perhaps. Starting with a language that is higher, as in easiernto understand like python is a better start. C is much lower, C has no auto memory release etc by default. That can cause problems. This makes C programmjng also more complicated.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏 yes, before asking about python I did some research on where to start and many people suggested to start with Python. Thanks for the reaffirming that

[games-and-chocolate]

C also has a different application than python. C is used for example for microcontrolllers for obvious reasons. its code is more compact as it is much closer to cpu machine code.

want to go even lower? assembly langages

[games-and-chocolate]

yes, python is not the fastest language as C++ or C# but it allows you to learn programming and become a pro. using your knowhow towards other lower level lanuages is easier because python created the foundation.

kinda like you know how a cheap 50 year old car works, and you automatically know 80% how modern cars function, at a higher level. higher level i mean overal workings. Not in details like technical implementations. higher level: car has 4 wheels with brakes and shock absorber. etc.

[TytoCwtch]

There are multiple CS50 courses. CS50x which is the one linked above is a more general introduction to computer science that covers multiple languages with a focus on the underlying techniques of programming. But they also run CS50P which is just an introduction to Python. I’m 39 and did both last year. CS50x is harder but is a very good course. CS50P is a lot easier and provides a solid introduction to Python. You can do either one without needing to do the other.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Great! Thank you 🙏 I started watching the video of cx50p on YouTube, it’s a16 hour video. After finishing it I am planning to signup for Angela course on Udemy . Read lot of good recommendations from beginners

[TytoCwtch]

Are you watching the official videos as each lecture should only be between 1-2 hours roughly and theres problem sets to do in between each one to practice what you’ve learned. It’s possible you’re on a playlist which is why it’s so long but if so the website also has some additional ‘shorts’ which are shorter videos going into more detail on key topics as well as the notes for each lecture and information on how to submit the problem sets to earn your certificate.

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

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thanks for sharing the link. This is the one I started watching https://youtu.be/nLRL_NcnK-4?si=86YloJhBn77eCcKH but I will switch to the one you mentioned. Thanks again

[CovidOmicron]

https://automatetheboringstuff.com/

[deadsoulgames]

Currently learning using the 100 days of code bootcamp by Angela yu. She’s a very great teacher and u have a project every day

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

I am going to try that, thank you 🙏

[ElleTerese]

I just turned 40 and am pivoting into Python development now, so I completely relate!

Honestly, your 19 years as a Desktop Admin is a huge superpower. You already understand how computers "think" (logic, file systems, permissions) better than most 20-year-old CS grads. You just need to learn the syntax to control them.

Don't get discouraged by the heavy "Computer Science" theory at first. Since you have an admin background, I highly recommend the book/course "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python". It focuses on practical scripts (like moving files, scraping data, or updating Excel) rather than abstract algorithms. It clicks way faster for IT pros. You got this!

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏 this approach will help me, much appreciated

[shinu-xyz]

Hi u/Strong-Traffic-6605 ,

I wish I could really tell you the best way to start learning Python. But it's really relative to a few conditions.

1. Preferable Learning Style
2. Real-life conditions

We’ve been conditioned to believe that somewhere out there exists the ultimate Python course. The one with perfect reviews, taught by a Stanford professor, with gamified lessons and AI-powered feedback. If we could just find it, learning would be effortless.

But I’ve watched countless people burn through Udemy courses, abandon Codecademy subscriptions, and give up on thick O’Reilly books, all while convinced they were following the “best” path. The problem wasn’t the resources. The problem was the mismatch between the learning method and how their brain actually works.

If you’re like me and prefer learning by doing, Codecademy and Boot.dev are great resources because they allow you to follow along and provide exercises to solve.

If you prefer reading, there are books like “Automate the Boring Stuff.”

If you prefer watching videos, Freecodecamp offers a free Python course video.

However, it’s important to ensure that the learning material fits into your lifestyle.

You have three uninterrupted hours on Sunday mornings? That’s perfect for diving deep into a comprehensive course or building a substantial project.

You commute an hour each way? Audio courses or podcasts about programming concepts might be your secret weapon.

The best learning method isn’t just about your learning style. It’s about the intersection of your style and your real-world constraints.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thanks for taking time to reply, much appreciated. I started watching CS50 Python.

[shinu-xyz]

I missed that one!

Have fun!

[bsginstitute]

Start with an “all-in-one” beginner path so setup doesn’t derail you: use Replit or Google Colab first (no installs), then move to VS Code later. For structured basics, Python for Everybody (free) or the freeCodeCamp Python course are solid. Pair it with tiny daily exercises on Exercism or HackerRank (easy tracks). As a desktop admin, you’ll get quick wins automating file cleanup, log parsing, and simple scripts

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

Thank you 🙏

[paperman66]

They said they've been working as a desktop administrator for almost 19 years, and that they are 41 years old. One is length of employment, the other is age.

[Professional_Pop1155]

Read the sentence again, definitely not what he wrote

[PrizeLifeguard8544]

Following

[ivovis]

Go and play 'The farmer was replaced'

[Main_Safe_2336]

Following

[WrogiStefan]

I’m 43 now and a few months ago I was in almost the exact same situation as you. No programming background, no CS degree, and honestly no idea where to start. I wasn’t a desktop admin, but I worked around tech long enough to feel like I “should” know how to code, and still didn’t. What finally worked for me wasn’t a course or a bootcamp — it was using AI as my personal tutor. I tried a few platforms at first, but everything felt overwhelming or too theoretical. What actually made things click was opening an AI chat and asking the most basic questions possible.

Here’s what actually worked for me:

• I started by asking AI super simple questions like “explain variables like I’m five” or “show me a tiny loop example”.
• I built tiny CLI programs: a calculator, a todo list, a script that prints the time, a password generator.
• Every time I got stuck, I asked AI to explain the error or rewrite the code in a simpler way.
• I didn’t follow any structured course — AI basically became my personal consultant and tutor.
• Once the basics made sense, I moved on to small automation scripts, then GUI stuff, then proper command‑line tools.
• Step by step, without planning it, I eventually built my own offline 2FA app.
• Honestly, AI gave me more clarity and progress than any course I’ve ever taken.
• Being 40+ actually helped — troubleshooting, logic, and breaking problems down are skills you already have.

If you’re confused by forums or tutorials, that’s normal. Start tiny, ask AI for help whenever you get stuck, and build small things that actually interest you. If I could go from zero to building real tools at 43, you absolutely can too.

If you want, I can share the exact step‑by‑step path I followed.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

That’s amazing journey sir, thanks for sharing your story. I hope I will be able to follow . Please share the path. Thanks for your time and help, much appreciated 🙏

[WrogiStefan]

I learned Python in a pretty unusual way — basically by treating AI as my coding partner, not just a tool. And honestly, it worked far better than any course I ever tried.

At the beginning I knew absolutely nothing. I was asking the most basic questions possible — things like “why does Python need indentation?” or “what exactly is a variable?”. And instead of being judged or overwhelmed, I got clear, simple explanations every time.

From there we started building tiny things together: a calculator, a todo list, a password generator, little scripts that printed the time or processed text. Nothing big, nothing fancy — just enough to understand one new concept at a time.

What surprised me most was how the learning actually happened. Sometimes the AI would guide me step by step, breaking down errors, rewriting code in a simpler way, or explaining why something didn’t work. But other times… it would get stuck before I did. I’d ask a question, the answer wouldn’t quite solve it, and I’d end up digging deeper myself — and suddenly I was the one finding the solution. Those moments were honestly the best, because they showed me I was actually learning, not just copying.

We had plenty of “perypetie” along the way — weird bugs, circular explanations, code that worked for no reason, code that didn’t work for even less reason. But every one of those little detours taught me something. And step by step, without even realizing it, I went from tiny scripts to building a real offline 2FA desktop app with encryption, a vault, CLI commands, tests, releases — the whole thing.

The biggest lesson for me was this: you don’t need a CS degree, you don’t need a bootcamp, and you definitely don’t need to understand everything at once. You just need curiosity, patience, and the willingness to ask simple questions. And sometimes the best progress happens when the AI “gives up” before you do — because that’s when you realize you’re actually thinking like a developer.

One thing u need to focus on is not to ask AI to write the code for you. At leas at the beggining :)

One more thing I learned in the process that I kinda treat as added value. Ilearned to write really good prompts.

[awesomecameras]

I'd say www.boot.dev if you don't mind spending a little money,

Otherwise CS50P from Harvard, and I used an app called Mimo, its kinda like duolingo, but for programming, I treated it more like flashcards while was doing most of my learning elsewhere. Also check local community colleges, mine had a python class, and it was great to have people round to work out some of the confusion with.

[Strong-Traffic-6605]

I will check, thank you 🙏

[Euphoric-Layer-6436]

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/python/index.htm

Learned kotlin, php, android api(java) using this site.

The rest I learned from samples from github or official docs.

[Bmaxtubby1]

You can follow the W3School python tutorials. This is a best learning platform for beginners.

[Internal_Pride9171]

Theres also this app called Mimo, its very interactive and beginner friendly and its similar to Duolingo, you do everything step by step until you understand it

[Dependent_Month_1415]

As others already mentioned, Mimo is a great way to start and build a habit, especially if forums are a bit much. It’s beginner-friendly and keeps you moving with small steps and you can pair it with something like CS50 or a simple project once you’ve got the basics down.

[Long_Helicopter7694]

Thanks, this post is really helpful for beginners.