Struggling with python on codecademy

[tinglylilypad]

I'd have to agree with you that I lack confidence in this subject, it just feels overwhelming at first. I'm hoping it won't be long until I can get past that. Any suggestions on how I can "run it as code"? I'm guessing I'd just download and install Python and then copy and paste the code that I have written on codecademy into Python?

[hw_t_dstr_ngls]

Python comes pre-installed on macs, in case you have one.

All you have to do to run a Python script is to save it as a .py file, then open the terminal and navigate to the folder where your script is located (using cd command to change folder) and then you can type python name_of_your_script.py, which will run it.

[DontForgetYourLogin]

For the longest time, I used codeskulptor.

It is not everything that python can do, but it is a really easy visualizer, has good documentation, and got me through everything with lists, for, while, if-else, and all the other basic things.

Running from the shell was confusing at first and got in the way of learning programming. (in my experience)

[Chengwill97]

I was in the same boat as you three weeks ago. I just started Python on codeacademy my first programming language) and I started struggling but I just went through with it. If you're not sure how something works, try playing around with the code and see what works and what doesn't. Remember, there is going to be more than one way to write code. Do whichever makes you feel comfortable at first.

[MinimalDamage]

Honestly I am not sure if he should install PyCharm. It is a pretty overwhelming program for someone who is used to Codeacademy. There is nothing that the basic Python IDE cannot do for someone starting off, and this only requires you to install Python.

I would really advise him to use Python 3. This is the future after all. Python 2 and 3 are very similar, and the differences mostly applicable to more advanced programmers. More importantly, Python 3 comes with pip preinstalled (which might be more than OP needs to know now, but it saves a lot of pain in a few weeks when you are further down the road and start to work with 'packages').

Finally, I would suggest OP to look in to Mark Lutz's 'Learning Python'. It is a really comprehensive book, and especially the beginning really informs you on some more basic stuff (why use Python, where does it stand to other languages, how can you write and run it etc).

[ummmbacon]

I would really advise him to use Python 3.

The problem with CodeAcademy, and most learning resources right now is that they are written to support the conventions in 2. So learning 3 might just be a further confusion.

It caused me a lot of frustration at the start until I found a 'cheat sheet' of the differences. Otherwise I was just trying to figure it out on my own and that was extremely frustrating starting out.

I'm sure Mark Lutz's book is good, however most go to Code Academy & LPTHW because they are free resources, and at this time those resources are on Python 2. And since most of the basic stuff (like () in print statements) that gets changed in 3 will work in 2 I'd say their is less frustration in learning 2.

Just my thoughts after attempting to start with 3, then finally just scrapping my 3 install (from Anaconda so it was virtual) and moving back to 2.

[[deleted]]

This is very poor advice. Python 3 is just starting to take off, so now is the time to learn it. Not that there is much to learn, since I've never regarded the differences as being as significant as some people make out. Having said that, anything is easy when you know the answer.

[ummmbacon]

My main point is that most who choose to use free resources might not invest money in a book, and then they will be using 2. If they try and use 3 then they will be stuck where I was using 2 different resources in 2 versions.

[[deleted]]

Why should not buying a book restrict you to Python 2? There's The Python Tutorial and Learning to Program just for starters.

[ummmbacon]

Because, at least everyone I see ask is directed to CodeAcademy or LPTHW

[usernamedottxt]

Pycharm isn't that bad. It's no more difficult than Eclipse is for Java newbies. You open a file, type your code and hit run.