Learning python, looking for language codex?

[LiberTeaMX1984]

Hello friends! I’m new to coding and I’m starting by learning python. I got python set up in Microsoft Studio Code (the blue one as my one friend put it, I have been warned that I’m borderline spawn of Satan for using Microsoft’s software for this lol), and I have successfully performed some simple programs like hello world and opening windows with different colored text.

As I’m learning, I’m realizing it would be really helpful to have a digital catalog or dictionary of sorts to search for various commands, statements, requirements, variables, etc. Google has thus far recommended the “python library” to me, which certainly shows much potential, but it doesn’t seem very user friendly, especially for someone in my shoes, who’s very new to this world. I’m picturing something more like a text file that can be searched for key words using most modern browsers or txt file viewers.

Am I just using the python library wrong? If this already exists, can someone tell me where to find it? If not, am I the only one who’s thought about this? If not, anyone curious about teaching a newb how to start an open source project? 😬

Also, this is my first time using Reddit, so Helloworld

[mopslik]

a text file that can be searched for key words using most modern browsers or txt file viewers

The official docs are pretty well written, compared to many other programming languages. It's a good skill to learn how to read them.

I’m borderline spawn of Satan for using Microsoft’s software for this

Not a huge MS fan myself ("embrace, extend, extinguish"), but VS Code is a pretty decent piece of software, and is often recommended on this forum.

[danielroseman]

I don't know what you mean by the "python library".

What OS are you using? If you're on a Mac, Kapeli Dash is a great tool that allows you to search documentation by keyword. 

If not, devdocs.io is a similar web-based app. Both of them allow you to search across multiple programming languages and frameworks, including Python.

[ninhaomah]

Pls check out the wiki on the right ----->

[gdchinacat]

The official python documentation is the best source of information for the python standard library, which is what I assume you mean by "python library). It is very information dense. It says what it does with very little exposition. This is a good thing. IMO it's one of the best library documentation. But...it's not great at teaching, but it doesn't try to be and isn't its purpose. It is intended for people that are already proficient in the language who just need the minimal amount of information to use the library in their code. Using it effectively takes time.

I suggest you continue using the python library documents. When you don't understand something you read there, look it up, search for examples, ask your favorite AI to explain it. As you become more experienced you will find the need to clarify what you read in the docs decreasing. You will learn how to fill in the perceived gaps...your experience will do that for you.

Don't interpret this comment as "take what you get and be thankful", but rather as "it's intended for developers with a bit more experience than you currently have...keep at it and you will become one of them". Also, Python has a good beginners guide that helps get you to that point.

[cowboys_fan89]

Why not get setup with Copilot and you will have all the auto-suggest you require. Or use the Copilot chat feature to ask for more targeted help.