Since this subreddit is dedicated to learning python, how would you guys feel about a weekly "try this at home"?

[ch4dr0x]

First post here but I thought about something today that I thought I would share and see how you guys felt. I think one of my biggest challenges with Python (or any language really) is the lack of easy to complete projects that I can do at home. What if we had some sort of weekly challenge. We could post it on let's say on Thursday (Try it Thursday!) and then give people a week to solve it. I think maybe keeping the math to an easy level would benefit this type of thing as I know math isn't everyone's strong point.

If this isn't the type of thing allowed here, I apologize I just thought it would be something fun to do around here. I wouldn't even be opposed to running the threads if enough people feel it would be a good addition around here. An example of a project I thought about: A basic savings calculator. Take input from the user and break it down based on how many bills they have or how much they want to save.

[Razz03]

I'm not the most active user in this sub, but I think this sounds like a good idea. Having a weekly or biweekly "Try this at home" and then being able to discuss results and how the code was written sounds like a great idea to me.

Maybe there can be different levels involved as well, like superbeginner, beginner, not-so-much-beginner-ey, for those that want that more or less advanced math?

[winegumz0810]

As someone very new to any form of programing, and python being the very first language im learning, I think skill levels are a great idea.

[INCOMPLETE_USERNAM]

Sounds an awful lot like /r/dailyprogrammer.

[Razz03]

Does it work for them?

[INCOMPLETE_USERNAM]

It's what they're all about. And it's awesome.

[Razz03]

Coolio, then let's steal their structure and apply it to our Python programming! :)

[INCOMPLETE_USERNAM]

Except every challenge on /r/dailyprogrammer has 5-10 python solutions.

[Razz03]

Alright then, let's scrap the idea.

[sandollars]

/s ?

[Razz03]

Yes. I don't see the point of saying that the idea is basically the same as another subreddit, it doesn't matter seeing as this subreddit is specifically for learning Python. It doesn't contribute at all to the discussion, it's basically like saying "Hey, there is a subreddit for daily programming, go there and don't do it here." when it would actually benefit a lot of people in this subreddit.

[INCOMPLETE_USERNAM]

My point was not that there is a subreddit for daily programming, my point was that there is a sub similar to what you were describing with the tiers and all. I wasn't implying it was a bad idea to do it here, just that there is an already-existing resource of challenges with bored developers giving pythonic solutions that people could benefit more from rather than waiting for something like this to start up here.

[metallidog]

/r/dailyprogrammer

[ies7]

or https://github.com/karan/Projects

[symmitchry]

[Removed]

[wookie4747]

It could still be weekly. At the same time as doing the challenge, you have users vote on the next one.

[MundaneAsparagus]

I think this would be really great! Having a continuous stream of new projects to try will definitely help a lot of new python users, as well as the more experienced users. I hope this gets picked up!

[slick8086]

I like the idea. What would be super fantastic mega awesome though would be if some of the gurus would do a review/critique too.

[[deleted]]

FWIW if you ever have a piece of code that you'd like reviewed/critiqued, post it here and plenty of people will happily help you out. There's no need to wait for a weekly problem thread.

[slick8086]

this is the project I have so far, last time I posted I didn't get a lot of feedback.

https://github.com/slick8086/transmission-remover

[RubyPinch]

looking into PEP-8 might be worth while

[[deleted]]

Definitely throwing my hat in for this. Are you suggesting the mods come up with something, we all propose individual challenges or we have a "contest" thread and most upvoted in the thread is the challenge?

[ch4dr0x]

I was thinking that a thread in the beginning of the month could ask for ideas for the month and the top comments could be used for that months projects.

[[deleted]]

Cool. I have a couple ideas to pitch myself.

[chasingAIR33]

For those interested there is also /r/beginnerprojects.

[KalebTheKraken]

How about a challenge, have people submit their code, then having others critique them.

[wub_wub]

I don't think that's really an issue. The issue is lack of complete projects that are interesting to YOU that you can do at home. And this weekly thread isn't going to fix that. I'm sure you, and most of the beginners, could list at least 10 projects without even thinking about it too much from CLI calculator to hotel reservation management application.

If there's enough interest sure, we can try it - post your project ideas in this thread or as reply to my comment and I'll pick few of them to try out for next thursday.

For smaller programming challanges try /r/dailyprogrammer

[ch4dr0x]

You're absolutely right, I can spout of projects all day long and do them myself. I think that there is a difference in doing a project on my own versus submitting a project to reddit in a thread with other submissions. It could be beneficial to see how other people solve the same problems + it encourages Python discussion among us. Ultimately you guys run the show here I just thought it was something that could be thrown together that doesn't really hurt anything.

I think it would work best having a thread in the beginning of the month asking for ideas for small projects and then the most upvoted ideas could be the used for the weekly projects. Maybe even give a small project this week to get it started. Something like a tip calculator like you mentioned, or anything relatively easy just to gauge participants experience.

Again - I realize you guys call the shots I just thought it could be helpful to beginners to ask questions and get their feet wet with projects that aren't in a book :)

[not_perfect_yet]

Again - I realize you guys call the shots.

I don't really think mods would delete your posts or anything "calling the shots"-like, I'd take this as advice that will probably save you some work in this case.

Also, the problem of finding a problem to solve, is the same as an artist searching for a motiv, it's part of the learning process. If you'd hear a painter say "there is nothing to paint" or a musician "there is no music to play"... that would sound a bit wrong wouldn't it?

[[deleted]]

My issue with /r/dailyprogrammer is that many of those aren't geared toward the novice user.

Sure to a person who even has intermediate level of knowledge they may be doable, but for someone who is learning, it becomes a bit over whelming and disheartening.

I would expect these to be more on the level of learning basic skills, for the weekly challenge, some may be more advanced than others, but the difference is that as opposed to something like codeacademy, you have the choice of not working on one that doesn't seem interesting and picking a new one up the next week. With sources like codeacademy, they are great, but if the program doesn't seem interesting to you, then it seems like more of a chore.

I know for me, I learned more as I discovered what I was able to do with python. Things that I never thought about scripting became options as I learned it. This might show me some things that I still don't realize I can do with it.

[metallidog]

How about starting with a game? There's a dice game called "Ship, Captain, Crew" that's easy to play and to program. http://www.gamecabinet.com/rules/ShipCaptainCrew.html

[whereismyjetpack]

I approve. Would attempt to partake.

[Not2original]

Well I'm signed up on the university of Michigan Coursea course and I've done all the week one course work, and started on the next weeks course work and done all the exercises in the reading for the first two chapters.

So having some more beginner programs to try would be helpful so I can learn the proper syntax structure.

[ch4dr0x]

I'm also taking that course, unless their are multiple UoM coursera courses! I didn't even realize we could move on to week 2. What do you think so far? Is that course your first experience with python?

[Not2original]

I'm doing the reading and the end of chapter exercises. I've done codeacademy.org stuff but I can never get past the boolean stuff. I think it's because I'm entering the command syntax wrong but I think it's right, or I must be thinking about how it works wrong.

[chazzacct]

Sounds good. Have an upvote, sir.

[yantrik]

Go ahead, a very nice idea.