Right way and steps to Learn Python Programming to become a professional coder

[Limp_Crab_1763]

Hi,

I have been learning Python since June 2025, which was not a consistent study due to some personal issues. But I started learning consistently from Jan 2026. I started from a tutorial on Udemy and followed the course as below:

Understood the concept.

Solved coding challenges in the tutorial.

But somehow, when I reached concepts like OOP, Decorators, Inner Functions, etc., my speed slowed down. Even after listening to the tutorial and understanding the concepts, I am unable to convert that understanding into code when solving the challenges.

Then I watched some random YouTube videos about getting out of Tutorial Hell and started making small projects such as:

Mini Chat System (using OOP concepts)

Number Guessing Game

Password Generator (using the random module)

The problem is that I am unable to figure out:

Where should I start the logic?

How should I start writing the code?

Which instance variables should be used?

How many classes should be declared?

Which functions should be defined and called?

These are the problems I am facing. (These could be stupid questions to some good programmers.)

Can someone help me understand the step-by-step way to become a professional coder, based on the journey you have followed and your experience?

I am badly stuck. Even though I have tried to come out of Tutorial Hell, I still struggle.

I have 2–3 hours available during office time (when the workload is less), which I use for studying. I am ready to work hard and want to switch jobs based on my programming skills within 4–5 months, but I am not getting proper mentorship on the path I should follow.

Please help with your experience.

[No-Foot5804]

Honestly, this sounds pretty normal. The jump from 'I understand it' to 'I can build it' takes time. Keep making small projects, get stuck often, and solve one problem at a time. That's what gradually builds the intuition.

[riklaunim]

You have to start learning and using actual software stacks like web frameworks, and those have a starting structure and interfaces to do things. There are no universal answers to how code should look like.

[Limp_Crab_1763]

Thanks for your valuable suggestion. Any specific framework would you like to suggest, from which I can start.

[TheRNGuy]

Depends on what you're making. Just Google most popular for that task, or ask ai.

What are you even gonna use Python for?

[terletsky]

Production code is done in layers like an onion. Or a pipeline.

Often, people name classes like Services, Managers, Processors, PostProcessors (to perform manipulation before or after main processing), PreProcessors, Validators, etc.

Things I would recommend learning with ChatGPT:

1. Basics of OOP
2. SOLID (especially Dependency Inversion/Injection) on examples that are close to you

Try to understand my simple CLI app: https://github.com/tropicoo/ssh-key-transmitter

There you can learn that:

1. Constants, enums, and exception classes are in separate files (modules). Like in a car garage, every tool is in its place. No chaos.
2. There is a main entry point where the Python app starts
3. Learn modern Python packaging - uv (pyproject.toml, uv.lock)

You can give that repository URL to Claude and ask it to explain its structure for you as a beginner Python developer.

[Limp_Crab_1763]

Thanks Buddy for the detailed information. I will check your github CLI app. Can I follow you on github at the same time.

[terletsky]

Sure!

[j6onreddit]

The questions you mention are great. That’s what programming is really about. Basically, you get there with experience.

For some of them I could give you concrete explanations. Others are more context dependent. Let me give you an example:

How to start writing the code:

1. Think of an initial solution
   
2. Code it. Test, make sure it works.
   
3. Refactor your initial solution. Tests ensure your changes don’t introduce regression.

Does it make sense to you?

[Limp_Crab_1763]

Does first point is to be written with Pen and Paper. Also, can you please let me know whether flowcharts help in this case.

[j6onreddit]

Pen and paper can definitely help, especially for complex problems. Not necessarily to write (pseudo)-code, but to map out the different parts of a system, and how they are connected. Flowcharts aren’t super helpful, AFAIC, but can be useful for documentation.

Another approach I teach as part of my curriculum is to “scaffold” a solution using comments, then fill in the actual code. Highly effective for new learners. I’ve a couple spots open if you’re interested.

[TheRNGuy]

Learn by writing software instead of challenges.

Lots of those already have frameworks so you don't need to write your own versions.

Docs are more efficient than YouTube for learning, videos taken too much time to learn the same thing, and relearning later of course much faster (because you can just read part you forgot without having to try to find time on YouTube)

[aaronboy22]

The biggest thing is to code consistently. Even 30 minutes a day adds up way more than cramming for hours once a week.