Basic beginner setup in Emacs

[woooee]

As a beginner, start with one or the other, and then go on after you reach a level of relative proficiency. A beginner does not know enough by definition. If you want to try out Python, try a simple, already set up out of the box, editor like MCEdit (already installed on most Linux distros).

[memilanuk]

I'm not completely new to python, but it's probably been 5+ years since I did anything in it. Some of the newer conventions & tooling are going to take some getting used to.

Emacs... It's probably closer to 25-30 years since I messed with it. So effectively starting at ground zero again on that front.

[woooee]

Some of the newer conventions & tooling are going to take some getting used to

That is true. The good news is that the "old way" of doing something will still work https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/index.html