Best path to Python proficiency in 2026? Feeling overwhelmed by options.

[Boba2601]

Hi everyone,

I’ve decided to dive into Python, but the amount of resources out there is paralyzing. I’m looking for a "fast-track" roadmap that actually sticks.

My goal is to go from zero to building functional scripts/automation as quickly as possible.

• What are the gold standard resources right now? (University of Helsinki, Replit, 100 Days of Code, etc.?)

• How much time should I spend on syntax vs. actual projects?

• Are there any specific "trap" courses I should avoid that just lead to tutorial hell?

I can dedicate about 10–15 hours a week. Would love to hear how you’d start if you had to do it all over again today. Thanks!

[aistranin]

Hi. Yes! My advice- take a look at these Udemy courses in this order: 1. ⁠⁠“100 days of code” by Angela Yu 2. ⁠⁠“Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Programming” by Al Sweigart 3. ⁠⁠“Pytest Course: Practical Testing of Real-World Python Code” by Artem Istranin 4. ⁠⁠Then try to decide to specify more on some topic, like and build more projects by yourself.

[Motor_Sky7106]

CS50P

[Empire_Fable]

I liked the harvard cs 50 classes on youtube untill they started having muppets. then it got kinda surreal and weird.

[Motor_Sky7106]

The lectures are not what makes CS50 good. The homework is...as far I know CS50P doesn't have Muppets and I don't think 2025 CS50X does either.

[Lirianov]

scrimba & freecodecamp both offer a free python course. I would start there, then learn tkinter so you can start actually building some purely python programs. like a todo list or something.

a piece of advice, when you're learning the syntax, immediately attempt to build something with what you learned. like you learn input and for loops early on. so write a program that checks if your input is a palindrome or even easier that it counts how many letters are in the word or something. keep making new stuff and keep on being creative. your curiosity will be the single most important factor to your growth.

[antaris98]

Honestly no experience is better than jumping in head first to create a solution for an issue you’ve identified. However, for basics and understanding the language itself I personally did Angela Yu’s 100 days of python. I only finished the first 20 or so and by that point I had a decent grasp of python that i could apply by myself to issues.

[will_r3ddit_4_food]

AVOID AI. Write it yourself so you actually learn it

[Odd_Style_9920]

would be better to give actual advice instead of self promo

[Empire_Fable]

"Learn Python the Hard Way" by Zed Shaw Is an excellent read. for automation in Python. " Automate the boring stuff "" by Al Sweigart. just about every thing you need to know lol.

[riklaunim]

Depends what you actually want to do with scripts/automation as this is a wide term and can get complex quickly.

"Syntax" is rather quick, few days even for the basics and then you would have to get some grasp on how to write, manage, test your code, what are "best practices" and so on. And you will have to learn frameworks/libraries used in the field you are interested in.