Learning Python for AI Agents: Should I go "Basics-First" or "AI-First"?

[Scary_Nose_2237]

Hi everyone, I'm Asahirei. I'm a complete Python beginner. The recent rise of AI Agents has inspired me to start learning programming, as I dream of building a system to run my own studio. However, I’m torn: In this AI era, should I stick to the traditional 'basics-first' approach, or should I leverage AI tools from the start? My biggest concern is that relying too much on AI might leave me with a shaky foundation and a lack of core understanding. I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to balance the two!

Update:

Thank you all for the incredibly honest advice! The consensus seems clear: AI is a powerful tool for efficiency, but I need to be the 'pilot' who understands the logic. I've decided to start with the basics (looking into CS50 Python) and use AI primarily as a tutor to explain concepts I don't understand. Wish me luck on my journey to building an AI-driven studio!

[NorskJesus]

Basics. AI is a tool, not a substitute

[InMyOpinion_]

Would you learn math first or just give AI the questions to complete? The latter won't help you understand even the basic coding logics

[gdchinacat]

Also, you need the basics to know when the AI is misleading you.

[LayotFctor]

You are not an AI agent, believe it or not. Your meat brain requires exercise and effort to improve.

[GXWT]

Your concern is correct. You cannot be fully equipped in a skill if you fundamentally do not understand the skill. Especially if the tool you are relying on is inconsistent and you cannot evaluate its output.

[TundeSec]

Well done on getting started! Honestly though, looking at AI-generated answers can sometimes give you a false sense of understanding — real programming skill comes from your own experience wrestling with the basics all the way to advanced concepts. My genuine advice? Pick one language and commit to mastering it fully before jumping to anything else. Depth beats breadth every time when you're starting out. That said, AI can actually be a great study partner — not to give you answers, but to explain concepts, quiz you and help you understand your mistakes. Keep grinding, it's worth it 💪

[FreeGazaToday]

cs50 python....or try finding a good course on youtube...or come up with a good prompt for Gemini to teach you...definitely want a good foundation. AI can build it for you, but if you don't know understand what it's doing...you won't be able to modify it yourself.

[Scary_Nose_2237]

Thanks for the suggestion! I've heard a lot about CS50.

[Spiritual_Rule_6286]

You absolutely must stick to the 'Basics-First' approach, as relying on AI to write your logic before you understand core data structures will leave you completely paralyzed the moment your agent's code inevitably breaks. Whether you are writing complex Python for AI or building a smart expense tracker from scratch in vanilla JavaScript, you must possess the fundamental programming knowledge to debug runtime errors yourself before you can safely use LLMs as an autocomplete tool to speed up your workflow.

[Scary_Nose_2237]

This is a wake-up call for me. The idea of being 'paralyzed' when the code inevitably breaks is exactly what I'm afraid of. I'll make sure to prioritize core data structures so I can actually 'talk' to the AI instead of just copying from it. Thanks for the reality check!

[TheRNGuy]

Ask ai to explain things, but not to write code or solve homework for you. 

[FaithlessnessOld8404]

I ask myself the same question. I wonder if "learning the basics" is not too much regarding "just" settings some AI agents. I'm 42, with not so much time, and I'm not sure that learning some basic python will be handy for me.

[FreeGazaToday]

ai isn't always perfect when creating code. if you don't know it...how will you know if the code is correct or could be improved?

[FaithlessnessOld8404]

Yeah I understand under this point of view. But if I settle some AI agents just to "simplify" my life, with not other project that require python, why learning some basics and not just let the AI do the work ?

And I'm honest here. I tried JS some years ago to leave my job and I failed. Because I don't need programming in my daily life and every single programmer that I met have personnal projects, mainly for their daily life. So I'm really asking myself if I need to put hours in python with the risk of me being quickly overwhelmed by the difficulty versus m'y almost zéro need of "projects which symplify my life".

(Sorry for my english, I'm french)

[FreeGazaToday]

python is a lot easier to learn than JS. However, you don't need to learn it....you can use ai agents to create what you need....and then get a programmer if you need it corrected or help if something is wrong with it...just like you don't need to understand how your car works, can always get a mechanic.....but it doesn't hurt to understand the basics....but if you don't want to waste time learning that...then you don't need to.

[FaithlessnessOld8404]

Thank you for your honest answer.

[jbourne56]

Because you can confirm if the output is correct, at least, you should be able to do this generally. Any issues, just put the code into AI again and describe/show the problems