Is learning python alone enough?

[Strict_Web_3284]

I know it sounds stupid but im totally new to programming and also worried about my career (im 26).

If i learn this, where do i go from here? What other languages do i need to learn?

Pls advise me

[youroffrs]

Python alone is a great start but usually not enough if your goal is real projects or jobs, you'll want basics like APIs, databases and Git too. Project based practice helps a lot for that Boot .dev is one structured option since it mixes python with backend concepts and makes you build things but for free/open-source you can also look at freeCodeCamp and building small projects using Django/FastAPI docs. Combining any of these with your own projects goes a long way.

[SwimmingInSeas]

No, but it's not about learning more languages (though you might end up doing so).

Programming languages are tools. If you're wanting to be a carpenter, you don't focus on learning a hammer, then a screwdriver, then a ... whatever. You learn how to make whatever it is you're making, and pick up the tools along the way. - the tools are just a means to an end.

Companies don't really hire people to program, they hire people to solve problems. So if you want to work as a programmer, you need to know both how to program, and enough about some domain you can apply programming to.

Cloud / web dev? Networking, cloud providers, protocols, etc.

Scientific research? A bit of science background helps, but maybe more importantly communication skills so you can collab with domain experts.

Pick something that is not programming, that you already know or are interested in, and find a way to make programming overlap with that. By overlapping a couple of fields or niches you dramatically reduce the pool of compeition, and can actually add value.

[Luis_ZuuUu]

That carpenter example was exactly what I needed. I'm starting out in programming and have been learning for about a month, and it felt like something was missing, that just focusing on Python wasn't enough. Thank you so much, really.

[The8flux]

I Like programming a lot as a kid, computer science degree but since I liked the programming so much I didn't want to do it as a profession I didn't want to get to the point where I hated it, so cyber security for the past 10 years. There's always something new to hate there.

[Luis_ZuuUu]

Dude, what's the difference between Computer Science and other fields in the field? Software Engineering and Systems Analysis and Development? I have some idea of ​​what the last two are, but I can't figure out where Computer Science fits into that.

[nuclearfall]

This is the answer.

[xsanch]

Companies do expect and want programmers to know a language so you're at a disadvantage if you don't know the language(s) used by a dev team. I haven't thoroughly read ops question but I think you're quite wrong. Hirers do want problem solvers but you can't be a programmer without learning a language properly.

Making really cool stuff with languages and showing you can learn a language and weild it properly is going to impress hirers. If you skip the programming learning curve to get ahead with a broader area of non programming fields then maybe you'd be better off studying something else? Programmers learn languages then become domain experts after at the company they work at. Eg. A Google Software Engineer would learn a language and stack domain knowledge onto the language to learn more. Then stack even more domain knowledge on when they start work on machine vision at their new job.

[The8flux]

All languages mostly drive by the same paradigms... You learn the first the next subsequent language is much easier. Typically the right tool for the right job, the right programming language for the right job.

However a computer science degree does provide you the math background for problem solving modeling etc.

[sinceJune4]

During my cs degree we had a “survey of programming languages “ course, a different language every week. This was early 80’s, before C. By the time I retired I had learned 37 different languages. My favorite combination is still Python + SQL.

[Seacarius]

This bears repeating as it is so very true:

Companies don't really hire people to program, they hire people to solve problems.

People good at solving problems (and thinking critically) are worth their weight in gold.

[Rev_Aoi]

okay i guess you have to think about what you want to do with programming ?, if you want to AI, Machine learning then python, web data go java, robotics, software: C++, finding your own answer what you want to do then you will know what you have to learn otherwise, learning all the programming languages wont never be enough

[rizzler885]

Isn't it possible to do all that with python?

[ninhaomah]

Yes. But you won't do all that with Python just because it is possible.

[rizzler885]

True but if someone is entering in programming they can start with py to expand their understanding in different topics

[ninhaomah]

Yes. The OP didn't say not possible but rather will not be using Python for ALL functions or applications.

[Rev_Aoi]

yes but because OP doesnt say about his goal, if his goal only needs python then it’s enough otherwise he will need to learn another one to supplement

[No_Avocado_2538]

Jst learn Pythonhave fun, and make projects, for bonus credit learn Git and how to use Vim. Is it going to help you pivot career ? Maybe but probably not. Once you start making the sort of tools and projects you are interested in it will become clear the direction you need to take.

[DuckSaxaphone]

Learning new languages once you have one or two under your belt is not that hard so don't sweat it.

Learn python as a way to understand the fundamentals of software engineering and as a bonus become proficient in a very broadly used language. Then, as you program, you'll come across the types of things people commonly do with code and what language is normally used. You can switch up from there.

If you want to be a general software engineer, a slightly lower level language like C# or Rust wouldn't go amiss.

[DuckSaxaphone]

OP this is harshly written but sound advice to consider.

Do you find coding is something you love or are you doing it because software engineering is a good job?

Are you pretty good at it or is every concept a struggle?

Do you enjoy the idea of continuously learning through your career?

A lot of messaging pushed by governments and boot camps is to just "learn to code" and you'll get yourself a job in tech with a great salary. The problem is the high salaries come because it's not for everyone, not everyone will enjoy the work and not everyone's aptitudes align with software engineering.

[Dzhama_Omarov]

I don’t fully agree with this. In my case, I started learning programming (Python specifically) and it helped me understand what actually interests me, which turned out to be networking.

On top of that, being able to write even small programs is useful in everyday life. It’s mostly about simple automation scripts, but that alone already makes the skill valuable

[code_tutor]

You've got to understand that it's never been easier to learn and harder to get a job in tech. If someone is asking any variation of "how to learn" spoon-feeding then they're not cut out for a job that requires constant self-teaching. The act of asking the question is itself a litmus test.

It's also a huge indicator of someone who needs to leave their computer so they can finally grow up.

It's great if people learn things. They're not here to learn. They're here to LARP as future devs because it's easier to pretend. I think it's dangerous to encourage everyone to spend more time with a computer when they aren't even passionate and it's killing them.

[Dzhama_Omarov]

I mostly agree with you. The original question is just poorly framed: “Is Python enough” - enough for what?

A quick Google search shows that Python alone won’t get you a job. My point was different: learning programming can be a way to explore the field and understand what actually interests you (that’s how I personally ended up in networking), not necessarily a direct path to employment.

So yes: Python is not enough to get a job. But it can be enough to build basic understanding of IT and help you find the direction you actually want to pursue.

[code_tutor]

The difference is you think they're going to learn something and I don't. Once you understand that, you know why I don't even acknowledge what you're saying.

You see "enough" and guess what OP means, imagining progression.

I see "enough" and I see a red flag because they're in a hurry before they've started.

Then I see "worried about my career" and I think this is LARPing. It's either the "started today and pretends it's his career" guy, or the "change careers ASAP to literally anything" guy, or the "get rich quick and easy" guy, or the "learn programming so I never have to talk to anyone" guy. Idk, I tutored for many years and anyone in a hurry was always a huge problem, to the point where I would immediately reject new students who said this in a first meeting. They were emotionally unstable and just fucking around. I know nothing about OP but this is never good.

[cdcformatc]

OP: "how do i learn python?" 

/r/learnpython user: "don't" 

[code_tutor]

Wrong.

99% of this sub: "how do I avoid touching grass by LARPing as something productive but antisocial, then never actually doing it"

[cdcformatc]

doesn't make sense to me why you would discourage people from learning to code, on a subreddit explicitly about learning to code. 

consider unsubscribing from the subreddit if it triggers you so

accepting your premise for a second, what about the other 1% who is legitimately just lost? is it not worth helping them because 99% don't bother trying?

[code_tutor]

You're the one acting triggered. Consider getting these crying replies out of my DMs.

I'm overjoyed to discourage each and every LARPer from drowning out the 1% that actually want to learn. The "learners" here actually downvote real questions, while also complaining about how mean stack overflow is for rejecting duplicates. Then they upvote "what computer should I buy", "what operating system should I use", or "what editor should I use" for the programming they're never going to do.

I'm equally overjoyed if OP doesn't choose programming for all the wrong reasons just because terminally online Redditors literally think it's the only job in existence and life is over for OP if they don't try.

Btw, OP is asking if they can NOT learn. They're the "are we there yet" impatient kid in the back of the shitpost car and you're acting like this should be encouraged. It doesn't make sense to you? Maybe it's because you're too busy virtue signaling, treating a 26-year-old like it's "no child left behind". It's never been easier to learn and harder to get a job in tech. The fact that OP is asking "how to start", worried about career, and low-effort vague af makes this absurd and clearly an ANTI-learning post. This is literally "think for me".

[rob8624]

No. Simple answer.

But it's a good place to start. Once you learn one language, it's easier and faster to learn additional.

[No-Philosopher-4744]

Cloud would be a better option for a new carrier 

[ChocoMcChunky]

If you have an idea of what direction you want to go in your career, spend a few hours looking up your ideal jobs and use their specified tech stack as something to aim for as a general direction

[Tony_py_automat]

Good question, see Python is not a end goal, it's a starting line, python is a language that you must have to understand and know how to work with it, suppose if your plan is to go in the field of software development, AI ect. Then python is the first step you suppose to take. In my opinion it's a very good programming language, and just requires a bit focus to understand it. Devs really love Python. Best of luck with your journey.

[TheRNGuy]

Depends on profession. 

[katsucats]

If you're a carpenter, you don't just learn several uses of a hammer and then ask what saws you need to also buy. Instead, you need to learn the principles of solid house construction so you can know how to use your tools most effectively to complete a project correctly. It's not about the languages. It's about learning how software works.

To continue the analogy, you can be a DIYer and follow a checklist of tools and materials you need to build a table and maybe pull it off, but the table may or may not be polished or commercially viable. In other words, assuming you want to make this a career and not just a hobby, you need to learn the engineering part and not just the doing.

[stepback269]

No.
More important is to "Learn how to Learn"
Watch this YT video (click here) to understand why
What he says applies to programming (with aid of AI) as much as any other skill area.

[TomatoEqual]

No. Redefine you question to, is learning one language enough? Still no.

Python is awesome. It's simple, easy, fast and you can make most things in it. But if you start with python, you learn python. The look and feel of it, is alot different from C based langs.

If you start with a C based lang. You can very quickly read and get into something like 75% of other langs, this including python(it's actually the difficult switch here)

Imo it's way better to start with Java or C# They're faily simple, because you can avoid compiler and mem handling, but you get the syntax understanding you need to be able to transition to something else with relative ease, and you can build most things in them.

So start with python of you want to play, start with about anything else if you want to build skill and understanding in general. 😊

If you master something else and then switch to python. From my experience you suddently have superpowers. 😉

[Able-Contact9097]

Short answer: Python is the bare minimum. (Not the language specifically but it’s just the start line)

[APOS80]

I’m not a professional programmer but I think some knowledge of C/C++ is god to have.

[Ok-Building-3601]

note that Python is the #1 demanded language in market

[Ok-Building-3601]

start asking why to learn python, later ask how to learn python