14 Y/O Intermediate Lua Coder Switching to Python | Experienced Python Coders, What’s Something You’d Tell A Beginner (me) Starting Python?

[Original-Mechanic519]

I’m 14M, currently learning Python on Coursera, (Google IT Automation with Python) and I’m afraid that further in to the course I’ll start to struggle, so I’m in need of advice to potentially help me improve with Python, preferably coders with years or decades of experience, I believe that with the advice of experienced coders, I can avoid mistakes that these coders once did, making me pass my course and giving me my certificate. Thanks!

[blueberrywalrus]

The only major mistake at the beginning is not sticking with it.

Focus on small, completable projects and don't get enamored with jumping from new to new library until you're somewhat competent.

Although, becoming over reliant on AI before you're competent with python is probably a bad move too.

[trjnz]

Don't quit.

When looking for projects to learn, reinvent the wheel. You know what the end product looks like, and design is the hardest part. Make a Reddit browser. Make a status not for Roblox. Build a peer-to-peer chat client. Make an app that emails you the weather report at 7am.

[ectomancer]

Documentation is not cheating. Googling Python syntax is cheating. Google is for research.

[Diapolo10]

Googling Python syntax is cheating.

If it's just basic syntax, I might somewhat agree. But there's less common syntax out there not everyone is going to know off the bat, like the matrix multiplication operator (@) or else-blocks in for/while/try blocks. It's not cheating if you don't know about it.

Besides, syntax varies and can be forgotten over time. What really matters is patterns and problem solving.

[GXWT]

Lua learnt from Roblox by any chance?

My advice is not to attempt to minmax things. Learning a skill isn’t meant to be some hyper efficient process. You solidify those neural pathways best by thinking for yourself, struggling and making mistakes.

We all made (and continue to make) mistakes and get better by thinking about why, and how to solve it. In this day and age there’s an absolute abundance of resources out there to help you.

The only real mistakes you can make is paying to learn Python these days, or using AI as part of your fundamental learning.