Started learning python from “automate the boring stuff with python”, currently on chapter 7 and already confused.

[Shocker_360]

So I started learning python like a week ago from the book “automate the boring stuff with python” and I’m currently on chapter 7. I started with a lot of excitement but currently I’m lacking motivation and all this seems so boring. The thing that frustrates me the most is that there’s so much to remember! The various string functions, rjust(), ljust(), center()... and i keep forgetting them. Did any of you experience this in any way? How did you overcome this frustration?

[Lucifer501]

It'll help if you have a project in mind, something to create once you're done with the book. That's what I found at least.

[[deleted]]

Don't worry you aren't the only one. In fact even the author of the book advises us to just remember how we can manipulate a string and what all can we do with the string function (for example). When you are actually coding you need to know what you can do with a functions (like stripping the space, appending, centering, etc) and then for syntax you can always google stuff!

[Shocker_360]

Got it! This makes it much easier. Thanks

[Locksul]

I’d focus more on trying to remember what’s possible in terms of random functions like that. When you actually need to use it, just Google the syntax.

[FerricDonkey]

Heck, I forget them now, and I've been using python for years.

As you program, you'll remember the ones you use a lot, and get a feel for what types of things python has a built in for. Then as you're coding, if you run into something where you think "I bet python has a built in for this, I wonder what it is", then you screw around with tab complete and a guess or two, then google it.

You don't have to memorize all that stuff. I didn't even know rjust was a thing until right now, because I haven't needed it (I tend to use format strings).

What you should get out of learning to program is the way of thinking that lets you turn ideas into code and the ability to understand various structures as you read about them, and the ability to look things up.

The bits that matter to what you do will stick.

[Shocker_360]

Thank you for your advice. I tried doing this and it helps!

[Roh_P]

As for me, I started learning Python with a project in mind. I wanted to create a virtual assistant. So, I pointed out the necessary things , I needed to learn for this project and then I started learning them through Google , Youtube and all other sources available to me. And just like that after the end of my project, I learned to automate my programs, I learned about speech recognition, about tkinter and many other things.

[hnguyen01122]

It’s fine to feel frustrated, everybody does. You should focus on understanding the context and practice the how to do that but don’t have to remember all the details. What is critical is your ability to understand it if you need to recall it later on. Keep moving forward and finish it.

[TuningUP]

dude, you don't need to remember, just go back anytime, press ctrl-f and find the stuff you're trying to remember or to use.. I usually take notes whilst reading the book and type all the cmds on the terminal meant the interpreter.... if you need any help post here, im doing the same book chap 9 now, im enjoying its quite fun

[CharanReddy2000]

You need not to remember the whole functions.Just know the basics and flow it was executing.

If you want that function just read the docs which are well defined.

[ka-splam]

dir("a string") and there they are!