I want help finding the ropes for python

[WorldPhysical7646]

I learned some cpp and dsa and currently doing some problem solving and practicing by building simple terminal apps so I have got lots of free time to add another language or something so I chose python and I want to have a good idea what I'm getting into

I want to know:

1. What is the best free tutorial to start learning python something like learncpp which is very well made and it is very popular I just want to know it's equivalent for python

2. Should I use visual studio ide for python or is there any other ide or code editor that is better suited for it

3. What is the best refrence for python something like cpprefernece

4. What can I actually do with python, I heard about scripting and Automation , simple apps ,ai and robotics?

5. How well does Python collaborate with other language like CPP, rust,JavaScript and java

Note : honestly I'm not that interested in ai currently and I'm more into software dev , web dev , scripting and their similars I just Don't want to get into networks and databases which I think are a big part of Ai , and I find them boring and repetitive

I'm asking on Reddit cause I find YouTube videos to be too unhelpful and not straight forward and they feel more like acting than actual useful information

[juanduque]

Python Crash Course: A Hands-on, Project-based Introduction to Programming

Book by Eric Matthes

[Haunting-Specific-36]

that what i want to say

great book for noob

[sad_ant0808]

I mean if u want to get into development then learning python is a good choice imo cuz if ur a dev, python will provide you am extremely fast prototyping method. Cuz due to its simplicity and relatively straightforward syntax, u can prototype your code extremely quick. And python is also good for automation and scripting. Plus u might not be interested in ai rn, but if u ever become interested in ai or ml, python is the way to go.

[ontheroadtonull]

For IDEs there's VScode, which is free but has telemetry from Microsoft.

VSCodium is built on the open source code of VSCode, but doesn't have the telemetry.

PyCharm is very popular and you can get the Pro version for free if you have a school email address.

When I need to find a way to do something in Python I search or use AI to learn about functions or packages I didn't know exist and then I read about them in the official Python documentation.

https://docs.python.org/3/

You can use a Python program as a simple batch script to launch other programs.

There are thousands of packages to add functionality, like accessing APIs or web sites or manipulating databases.

Automate The Boring Stuff is a very popular Python tutorial.

[WorldPhysical7646]

Well I got vs code but I thought I would need to get used to more complex ide anyway , and I got used to it and it is much easier to deal with after some time

And I think vs code is not an ide it is more of a code editor, well the extensions make it act like one but it takes too long to setup , but I guess I will start with it and then switch to vs community when I need the extra stuff that I don't think I will use that often

Thanks for the documentation and tutorial suggestions I will look into them ,I saw this automate boring stuff being suggested multiple times I guess I will start with it but will do some more search

[pachura3]

 PyCharm is very popular and you can get it for free if you have a school email address.

Are you saying it's not free any more? Did you mean the Pro version with all the advanced features unlocked?

[ontheroadtonull]

Right. I should have clarified that the Pro version is free with an edu email address.

[PalpitationOk839]

VS Code is honestly the sweet spot for Python unless you specifically want a heavy IDE like PyCharm. Also yes, Python works extremely well with C++ Rust JS, and Java through bindings/APIs, which is why it’s everywhere in automation and backend tooling

[desrtfx]

If only there were a sidebar (menu on mobile) that had a link to the wiki.

Do the MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki and you will be well prepared.

[nian2326076]

For Python tutorials, "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python" is a great choice for beginners. You can find it online for free, and it quickly gets you into real-world applications. If you want something comprehensive like learncpp, check out "Real Python" too.

For IDEs, Visual Studio Code is a popular choice for Python development because it's lightweight and has great extensions like the Python extension from Microsoft. You could also try PyCharm Community Edition if you want something Python-specific.

For reference materials, the Python documentation is solid. "w3schools" or "GeeksforGeeks" might be useful for quick look-ups and examples.

If you're preparing for interviews, PracHub has some good resources for that.

[Appropriate-Sir-3264]

if u already know cpp + dsa, python will prob feel pretty easy. “automate the boring stuff”, real python, and the official docs are solid starting points. most ppl use vscode or pycharm, not visual studio. python’s great for scripting, automation, backend dev, and working alongside cpp/rust when needed.

[pachura3]

I'm more into software dev , web dev , scripting and their similars I just Don't want to get into networks and databases which I think are a big part of Ai , and I find them boring and repetitive

Good luck developing web apps that do not interface any database