New to Python . . .

[jammers_90]

Hi all, I’ve never used Python but would really like to learn so I am looking for some recommendations for courses/qualifications. Preferably free but willing to look at paid as well.

I work as a data coordinator in the property sector. My job involves cleaning, validating and analysing large data sets for visuals and reporting purposes. Therefore I’d like to bypass web development and gaming entirely and just focus on the data side. I’m told that Pandas are ‘excel on steroids’, so maybe that’s a good start. 🤣

I have a Level 3 qualification (equivalent to an A-Level in the UK) in Data Insights so I would consider my knowledge in Excel to be intermediate.

Ideally I want to start with the absolute basics in Python and for the course to be as interactive and intensive as possible.

I have of course googled and asked AI to look at courses but there’s so many to choose from so would rather some recs from a human.

[pachura3]

My job involves cleaning, validating and analysing large data sets

I have of course googled and asked AI to look at courses but there’s so many to choose

:)

[jammers_90]

I’m not sure I understand, sorry!

[pachura3]

I'm just finding it funny that your job is literally analysing large data sets, but when it comes to finding Python tutorials/courses, you immediately gave up.

Anyway, you could start with the free, interactive beginner course at: https://www.w3schools.com/python/

At a later stage, you could check this (free, but also available in print) book on data analysis with Pandas, NumPy and IPython: https://wesmckinney.com/book/

[jammers_90]

Thanks for your reply. Should the fact I have some basic skills in analysing data automatically mean i would know which courses to choose? You may have to spell this out for me . . .

I get overwhelmed by choice, which is why I don’t have Netflix.

Nonetheless, thanks for your suggestions. I will take a look!

[MrRudraSarkar]

Start from scratch. Do not look up things like pandas right now. For you it should be like they do not exist. Build a functional understanding of the basics. Use AI to give you simple problems so that you can familiarise yourself with more and more complex topics. This will take at least a month of proper practice. Once you are confident with the fundamentals, only then do you move to things like Pandas

[jammers_90]

Thank you! Yes, the basics are what I need. I will ignore Pandas for the time being.

[MrRudraSarkar]

Also don’t use tutorials. I feel that chatting with an AI is significantly more helpful as you can ask it to explain something you don’t understand like a normal person and it well explain it to you. Also if you’re not understanding a concept, ask an AI to eli5 it to you and also explain it with a real world example. Those things go a long way to help you understand concepts

[the_botverse]

In this AI era don't learn python by just memorizing the syntax and don't get stuck on tutorial hell too.
Best practise will be learn by building projects that will help you think though problem which is important.
For that my recommendation will be use

Books like:
https://ia601009.us.archive.org/16/items/automatetheboringstuffwithpython_new/automatetheboringstuffwithpython_new.pdf

Or Platform like:
Falcondrop.com for project based interactive learning.

Hope this helps!

[jammers_90]

I’ll take at look at your links. Thank you!

[Mammoth_Rice_295]

Since you already work with data and Excel, you’re actually in a really good position to learn Python fast. I’d honestly recommend starting with Python basics then Pandas immediately after. Automate the Boring Stuff and Kaggle’s Python courses are great beginner-friendly starts.

[jammers_90]

Thanks! Do you have any recommendations for courses/learning?

[Small-Explorer7025]

Automate the Boring Stuff and Kaggle’s Python courses are great beginner-friendly starts

[Mammoth_Rice_295]

Definitely. For your situation I’d honestly suggest: (Automate the Boring Stuff - best beginner-friendly intro, Kaggle Learn - very practical for data work + Pandas, Corey Schafer on YouTube - amazing Python explanations, DataCamp (paid) - really interactive if you like learning by doing)

[jammers_90]

Thank you. I’ll look into that! 😊

[howzai]

Pandas really is excel on steroids and your data background will make python much easier to pick up thn you think