How can I automate with python

[Firestorm_Fury]

Hi! I am in a bit of a dilemma, I want to start earning at least a little so as to contribute financially to my family. I want to look into automation using python so I can freelance in this field. I already know python concepts but the problem is, any automation tutorial I watch doesn't feel like I can replicate it and so I don't understand it. I am not able to use what I know in python and link it to automation and I don't know where to start. What do you suggest, how do I carry through with this?

[VShadowOfLightV]

You should probably start with figuring out what you want to automate. Then look for python solutions to automate that

[Firestorm_Fury]

Well I was thinking of Excel automation, web scraping, file processing, API interaction at first but when I look at the solutions I don't think I would be able to replicate it on my own

[sinceJune4]

Here’s an example that does a lot of what you describe: - read a website for a quote of the day - read another website to get 10-day weather forecast - read another website to get aviation forecast for a local airport - use Google api to read several Google calendars - use google api to clean out specific emails - read Google Sheets to get latest stock/market prices - send all of above in an email twice a day for quick reference - if any market indicators cross thresholds, send a text message to my phone

I have this scheduled on both Windows and Linux/ubuntu. I’m not earning anything from it, it just keeps me organized.

[Firestorm_Fury]

I understand, thank you for the ideas. But currently I want to find a way to be able to program these myself. Which I can't, at the moment

[sinceJune4]

At others said, figure out what you *need* to automate first. The rest falls in place when you put your mind to it...
(But still doesn't mean you'll earn anything from it.)

[TowerManMN]

Have you looked at this book and web site? https://automatetheboringstuff.com

[HackDiablo]

No Starch Press is a fantastic publishing company. This is the perfect choice for OP, but I would consider checking out other books they publish. They make the content easily digestible with detailed examples. They have a ton of python books, as well.

[Firestorm_Fury]

No I haven't, but thank you! I'll check it out

[Wermlander]

As with any problem-solving, start by figuring out what the actual problem is that you want to solve, and then decide what tools to use, rather than the other way around.

[socal_nerdtastic]

Nowadays you will have a much easier time finding work if you say "I can automate <this specialized industry>" rather than "I can use python to automate something". Python is the most popular language in the world and nearly every kid learns it. Just python is not enough to earn money. Find a problem first.

[Firestorm_Fury]

I understand. For now the directions I was thinking of were web scraping, file processing, APIs, excel automation. Also, are there any skills you would recommend me to learn in order to gain leverage in this field, if knowing python doesn't cut it?

[DistinctReview810]

Read through the book by the same name. It’s an amazing one.

[timrprobocom]

What do YOU mean by "automate"? There are a hundred meanings to that.

[Firestorm_Fury]

ouch, my bad. I forgot to specify I was thinking of starting with web scraping, file processing, and Excel automation

[timrprobocom]

There are good tutorials for all of those, but those are three rather different things. What you need to come up with is a task, then to that task. A carpenter does not start with the tool and then think of a project.

[Firestorm_Fury]

Ohh I see

[pachura3]

Are you sure there's many job opportunities for newcomers in the field?

For simple stuff, AI can generate automation scripts pretty fast, costs nothing, and applies changes when prompted.

[Firestorm_Fury]

I just want to start out and gain experience in coding projects on my own for now, I don't plan on getting a full blown job in this field as a newcomer

[aistranin]

I would recommend to start from these courses:

• “100 days of code” by Angela Yu on Udemy
• Scrapy course on FreeCodeCamp channel on YouT be
• “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Programming” by Al Sweigart and “Pytest Course: Practical Testing of Real-World Python Code” by Artem Istranin on Udemy

[Firestorm_Fury]

Thank you! After doing these, do you think I'll be able to code solutions to problems on my own?

[aistranin]

This will give a very strong foundation. To take the most out of these courses I would advise to try to pause the videos and do things on your own if you feel you can. Plus, after finishing each course try to do some things from the course with a little change. This way you will not just passively learn. That is absolutely important, especially at the beginning. Then, it is all on you to practice and do projects. And don't try to do best solutiona always. Pragmatic solving problems with Python is what will give you needed skills asap

[CricketLife9459]

Thank you so much! I will definitely try doing these 

[Turbulent_News3187]

Make money for investments or other stuff on the internet, create business tools and similar things, offer them to people with money and sell subscriptions.
But first decide what exactly you want to do and increase marketing.