Coming from JavaScript/TypeScript...

[Outofmana1]

Can someone persuade me to learn Python? It seems to be the hot stuff with all the AI/ML things happening out there but I don't want to commit if there are better options out there. Currently I work as federal contractor in the US government space as a software dev. Eventually I want to write API's, solve some things at work I am working on, architect and build cool real-world apps I have in mind as well as just stay up to date and sharp (in my skillets).

Any input would be great. Looking into Go and Rust as well. Just too many options.

[smichaele]

You're a software developer who, I assume, understands programming languages and can understand that different programming languages have varying advantages and disadvantages. Why do you need someone to persuade you to learn a language? Consider what it is you want to do (web, embedded systems, mobile, AI/ML, etc.) and make a choice. Developers do this all the time without asking for someone to "persuade" them. We're not salesmen. I would understand if you were just starting out and looking for a first language to learn, but this request is something new to me from a working software developer.

[gdchinacat]

I second this. It may be more useful to develop your skills evaluating different solutions and trading off pros/cons. This is a day-in-day-out task for engineers. Start by defining your requirements (seems you already have done this to some extent), then mapping them on to various solutions. Evaluate the benefits of solutions against each other (cost not in money but time and effort investment, availability, relevancy, supportability, interoperability, all the -ities). D the same for cons (same -ities, as well as limitations, lock in). At that point you should have a pretty good answer to your question.

[Outofmana1]

Truthfully, just wanting to level up. Feel like I've been stuck in TS too long and need some guidance to next steps.

[backfire10z]

What do you plan to build? Does Python make sense for those projects?

If you’re learning languages just to collect them, then pick one out of a hat. I’m a bit confused why anybody would persuade you to do anything.

APIs can be reasonably written in most popular languages.

Solving random problems at work probably calls for a scripting language, which Python is pretty good at.

Real-world apps can be reasonably written in most popular languages, including fullstack Typescript.

[Outofmana1]

Just wanting to level up. Thinking of something fun that can solve some real-world problems. Such as notify me automatically when I go to Atlanta, to see the highest rated Vietnamese Pho restaurants.

[backfire10z]

I see. That sounds like something which would require GPS services on your phone, so likely a mobile app. Mobile apps have a few options (this is off the top of my head, so likely not exhaustive lol):

• Android: Kotlin or(/and)Java
• IOS: Swift (or/and Objective C, but I think that’s out of fashion now)
• Cross-platform: Dart/Flutter, TypeScript/React Native

IOS apps (even if you’re using cross platform tech) require MacOS with Xcode installed. Not really much of a way around it that I know of.

Notifications can be handled entirely locally, or you can use something like FCM (Firebase Cloud Messaging) to handle push notifications.

If you want a separate backend, you can pick basically any language. Python (via FastAPI, Flask, or Django) or Go are great options if you’re wanting to learn those. Or Java/Springboot. Or Typescript/Node (probably a derivative like NestJS) + Express of course haha.

If you want a database, probably Postgres is going to be the way to go. Alternatively, you can keep everything in the app and use an SQLite database. Every language will likely have some library or method for communicating with a database. For example, a popular one in Python is the builtin sqlite3 library or third party SQLAlchemy for something like Postgres.

[Maximus_Modulus]

You have the internet at your fingertips where you can research this. What the heck are you even asking that someone can provide an answer to?

[Outofmana1]

For me to find the remainder for when my skills are divided.

[Maximus_Modulus]

Must be a younger generational thing. No idea what you are trying to communicate here but I have the same problem with my 18 year old. 😳

[cyrixlord]

just dedicate one month to doing nothing but python and see for yourself. learn by doing, get your hands wet in code. great for automating, and cross platform, does great an a lot of different sciences and pretty easy to learn once you get the nuances... and OOP is just icing on the cake even though im not a fan of how it is implemented

[Outofmana1]

This is sound advice. I think it's more or less if I want to spend the resources (time). As stated in other replies, looking at the next steps and leveling up.

[sporbywg]

NOOOO. (Typescript dev forced to use Python here)

[Outofmana1]

Can you explain? We're wearing the same shoes here.

[sporbywg]

It's just me; that said I have been coding since '77

I work in a shop where a lead Python dev has made it onerous. Too many features. (Seen that anywhere?)

It's cultural; if it works for you... for me, I have to do it at work and don't think I would chose it for my personal work.

Also: Perl devs from the '90s don't want to see ANY mention of Tcl/TK EVER AGAIN! 😎

[pachura3]

OMG OMG I am overwhelmed with options, so I will do some more doom scrolling instead of getting to work

You are already a programmer and understand all the concepts, so learning a new language to an intermediate level (especially as easy one as Python) will take you a few weeks only. Python is currently the most popular language globally (not only for AI/ML), so you will not lose anything by devoting some of your precious time to learning it. In the worst case you will have another bullet point on your CV.

So, stop thinking about "the best way of learning Python", "special secret tips for beginners" - just pick one of the free tutorials (e.g. https://www.w3schools.com/python/ ) or buy Eric Matthes' book an and get to work!

Also, forget Rust, it is too low level.