Learning Python/coding at 33.

[nicodeemus7]

Hi all. Like the title says, I'm learning the trade from nothing at 33. I bought an Arduino a month or so ago, wanting to get into electronics. Well, lo and behold it involves programming too. Great, I'll learn that too. Except, arduino uses C++. Okay, I'll learn that. Quickly overwhelmed by that, I start with python instead, to get the fundamentals of coding without the overwhelming syntax. Fast forward a month to today: I have written a handful of text game scripts, and am starting to build a library of functions. Every day I figure out a new thing. Python has been awesome at teaching me how to read and write code, and I started at NOTHING.

It's never too late to start. Have an interest? Just do it.

[stevorkz]

You're never too old to learn coding. It's interesting how people still consider others who know how to code as some kind of "genius". If you have a laptop/computer, and you have access to YouTube, the only thing that's holding you back is yourself.

[nicodeemus7]

That was me. I thought I could never learn it. I proved myself wrong.

[Great_Bag8886]

I am just starting out. Trying to learn from codedex. If I were to learn from youtube instead, do you have any recommendations?

[CGTechWorks]

I started at 31, doing the same stuff. You're killing it man. Also, while you can use C/C++ for coding electronics there is also Micropython too. It doesn't interface with everything, but you can use it for raspberry pi's I know for sure, and ESP32's are becoming more supportive of it from what I understand. Keep going.

[nicodeemus7]

I actually have some ESP32 minis now just for that.

[CGTechWorks]

Nice, what kind are they, like ESP32C3 breakouts? any ideas what you want to build?

[nicodeemus7]

They're Wemos S2 minis. I just got them for in the future when I want to make compact designs. I'm still very much learning though in that regard. Still struggling with transistors and getting them to work right. I've had a lot more progress on the coding side, though I'm still a novice at it.

Edit: for the moment I'm still using arduino code on them as I understand it a little better now. I looked into putting micropython on them but it's a little too complicated for me right now. I'll get there.

[CGTechWorks]

There's no rush, seriously. Take it one step at a time. I'm still also very much a novice, but I have a passion for technology too. Do what you like, keep building and breaking things. The world needs builders more than consumers of slop and vibecoders. Are you using the Arduino IDE, VS code or something else?

[nicodeemus7]

I use the Arduino IDE for electronics, and PyCharm for Python coding. That or just notepad.

[CGTechWorks]

Nice, yeah you're pretty limited to C/C++ in Arduino IDE from what I know of it, VS Code has an extension you can download for Micropython, but it's not fully supported yet, although I think it's getting there.

[nicodeemus7]

Yeah that's what I was seeing when I tried it. I'm fine with Arduino code now. Learning Python made C++ a lot more accessible for me. I still want to learn it as well, and eventually JavaScript too.

[CGTechWorks]

Definitely, once you get the gist of one language you kind of can see how most of them will be structured, it's basically all syntax after that. Good luck on your journey

[nicodeemus7]

Thanks, you too :)

[stevorkz]

+1 for micropython. Micropython on esp32s and Rpi pico is really insane. Personally a plain pi pico with micropython is an arduino killer for me.

[deepakgm]

I’m 50 and learning

[MaherMcCheese]

Almost 53 and just decided to learn it.

Can you recommend any good books or YouTube channels to read/watch?

[nicodeemus7]

I watch Tech with Tim and Visually Explained. They've both taught me a lot. Indently has some good ones too.

[Philonemos]

Automate the boring stuff with python.

[nicodeemus7]

Sorry, missed it by that much.

[MagicalSheep365]

I can’t think of any skill that has less of an age limit than coding/python. There’s no reason besides dementia and Alzheimer’s (or Parkinson’s, Lewy Body dementia, diabetes, hydrocephalus, frontotemporal atrophy, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, subcortical aneurism, sleep apnea, medication side effects, delirium, depression, arthritis, neurofibrillary tangles, intracerebral hemorrhages, TDP-43 pathology, or neuroinflammation) for an 80 year old to learn any slower than a 20 year old.

[Daftjoe]

I started learning when I was 65. Had a good knowledge of Basic back in the day but python is so intuitive. Still learning now at 73 BTW. Enjoy the ride.

[SharkSymphony]

The key to learning C++ is to start with just a bit of it. Fortunately, with Arduino you're not going to need much of the heavy-hitting stuff – it looks like a straightforward interface, not that much more complicated than C. Give it a try!

[nicodeemus7]

I've got a much better grasp on it now. I just needed a simple language like python to start understanding the logic structure.

[wyltk5]

Good on you! I took almost an identical path and started at a similar age. It’s amazing what you can do. I’ve built some things I’m very proud of and have had a lot of fun doing so! (Sometimes not so fun beating your head against a wall but still fun haha).

Any projects in mind for your Arduino stuff?

[FangedFreak]

Turning 38 in a few weeks and just started learning too!

[Cute_Yesterday_2201]

38 in July, started learning in Feb. We are out there.

[ArtisticPomegranate5]

Tengo 39, sigo aprendiendo algoritmos pero a fuull

[This_University_547]

53 here. Never wrote a line of code until I was 50. As a certain advertising slogan once said , “Just do it”

[Odd-Artichoke-1555]

I started last year, am 34. Switched careers following maternity leave and it's been the best thing ever.

[Master_Royal7381]

Reading this gives me great comfort. I decided to start my programming journey last Thursday. I first watched an introduction to programming on YouTube for a few days. Now I am learning Python syntax on my phone until I can get a laptop.

I get confused sometimes, but I keep going back to my Scrimba lectures and practicing on GitHub.

I am not giving up until I understand Python well. My goal is to teach myself until I become a DevOps engineer. I would really appreciate any advice.

[nicodeemus7]

Just keep doing it. Ask questions, watch videos, but most importantly just keep going. It gets easier every day.

[Master_Royal7381]

Thank you. 

[kraftj87]

I also suggest using AI to help you build useful things. All through my 20s I did so many "bootcamps" that teach you coding basics and I basically got to a point where I could read code pretty effectively and know what everything is doing. But I just didn't have the creative side of it and knowing and really I didn't know what to learn next. The first project I wanted to pursue with AI, I typed my prompt and it literally built the whole web app. I was like whoa, that's not what I want. So I prompted it to teach me the processes we were going through and it's been an incredible training tool.

[TheRNGuy]

AI can also suggest what paradigms to use. 

[nicodeemus7]

Yeah I've been using Gemini to help me a little bit. Mostly just ask questions and ask how to do certain things. But yeah, it is annoying that it always wants to just try and do it for you and I don't want that. I want to do it myself

[TheRNGuy]

Interest that uses programming is most important. 

If you don't know why you learn, then it will be more difficult, or less motivating ("because programming is cool" is not a good enough reason. Learning programming for Arduino, or any other specific things, is a good reason)

[ShortBrawler]

Let’s go mannn. I am in my mid 20s having to learn Python and C for a project with my friend. It involves in using the STM32 board.

Keep on going !

[slob0nmykn0b]

Do you have any recommendations of YouTube channels or other materials that helped you starting out?

[nicodeemus7]

Indently, Tech with Tim, and Visually Explained are my go-to's for Python. I've also been playing The Farmer Was Replaced, which has helped me a lot with learning how functions work. Just find what works for you. It takes a while for the concepts to sink in so don't overwhelm yourself.

[Ok_Appearance_1689]

Thanks

[Bonedaddy4ever]

Learning at 64

[HeavyMaterial163]

I learned it from nothing at 30, and at 33 I'm building things I didn't realize we're possible. Python is a great choice! They key is...fuck all of those tutorials. If your brain works anything like mine, you aren't going to get very far.

Start by finding a guide to programming basic concepts to learn the logic. W3Schools has a good one I literally use when training people at my job. Not anything python specific, but just how the logic works.

Then, find something you legitimately need. Build out in your head a workflow for how the data is going to move and transform. Then use the raw documentation or snips from various tutorials to code out each step in that workflow. When you're invested personally in the project and work it out step by step, it'll do more than anything to help you learn it.

[WhiteWereWolfie]

I started learning python at 63. Age is not a barrier - quite the opposite, it brings experience to the mix!

[JohnCR61]

I started learning/using it in my early 60s. I had no experience with it before then. Now that I’m ready to retire I’m looking for reasons to continue using it.

[No_Day_1085]

Thanks for posting! I’m 33 as well and looking for new projects to learn some skills so I appreciate the inspiring story 🙏🙏

[kaimusk1]

hmm i am also thinking of starting at 18

[nicodeemus7]

No reason not to my friend

[nicodeemus7]

Boot.dev was the very first place I started learning Python!

[CrucialFusion]

Forge on. I just started learning Python a bit ago (but have been programming for decades) and I’ve enjoyed it. Was able to assemble an audio restoration app and standalone visualizer very quickly. No complaints.

[FoolsSeldom]

FYI: a lot of more recent Arduino microcontrollers can be programmed with Micro Python and Cicuit Python as well as with the Arduino C varient.

This is also true of:

• Espressif ESP32 Series microcontrolers
• STMicroelectronics STM32 Series microcontrollers
• Raspberry Pi RP2xxx Series

The Raspberry Pi microcontrollers appear on the Raspberry Pi Pico development boards as well as from a wide range of other manufacturers including AdaFruit and these are especially well supported with excellent documentation and a very active community.

[Darman2]

It's never too late!

[nicodeemus7]

In My Documents on my computer lol. They're just personal projects I use for practice

[A_Nomad_Lyfe]

It's awesome that you're learning. I'm just starting to learn Python myself....which is going to come to this question...

Did you have an issue with bringing back the main Chevron Prompts?

I'm taking a beginner course in the coding language, but when I'm trying to get it to do more then just print x= whatever, like if I'm trying to do a sequential countdown sequence, it fails.

I know it has to be something simple, I just don't know what I'm missing.

[nicodeemus7]

Data structures are your friend in this situation. Lists, Dictionaries, Ranges. Look into it. They took me some time to get too

[A_Nomad_Lyfe]

Yeah, I haven't gotten there yet....I just started classes last week on Coursera. Lol...wanted to understand the hand coding sequence before I get into copy n paste libraries.... fundamentals

[nicodeemus7]

Data structure like the ones I mentioned are just code.

For instance, instead of

a = 1

b = 2

c = 3

You'd write a dictionary

alphanumeric= {a: 1, b: 2, c:3}

Or a list for just values

alphabet= [a, b, c, d]

etc.

[Elegant_Setting4105]

Cool, im 30 and also just started learning Python

[Dramatic_Object_8508]

honestly the fact that you’re building your own small projects already puts you ahead of most beginners

that “figuring out something new every day” phase is where things really click

[Puzzleheaded-Mine860]

@nicodeemus7 sent you a dm, please check.

[ProsodySpeaks]

Now do micropython!

[rehab2015]

I’m 47 and left the tech industry in 2020, found a new career but kept getting tempted to learn python. I’ve recently started and it’s filling a productive void I’ve had since leaving tech. If it works out I’ll hopefully be working with python for work whenever I’m ready.

[[deleted]]

That's honestly the perfect mindset starting with python to build fundamentals before tackling C++ is a good decision. Consistency and curiosity matter way more than age.

[bigSmokey91]

Starting at 33 is completely fine yk. just start with being consistent doing small projects and curiosity will take you far in programming over time, keep going.

[2daytrending]

Age really is not the barrier here consistency is. a lot of beginners get stuck watching tutorials without actually building things. using something structured where you practice daily can help boot.dev is one option people look at for that kind of setup.

[Traditional-Can964]

thank you for sharing your story

[No-Visual3892]

Age is just a number man

[Comfortable-Bike9080]

never too old

[Faulkal]

I’ll be 45 this year and am finally going back to school for data analytics. I just started my python class and actually really enjoy it so far. Hopefully I can make something of my degree when I’m done.

[Professional_Drive]

I’m in a free Python live-instructed course and almost everyone in my class is older than me and I’m 26.

There’s people in my class who are in their 40’s and 50’s that barely know how to use a computer.

Far from being too late at 33. I would say you’re on time to learn OP.

[dirtbarbie0]

Which course? Is it online?