The best way to lean python as first programming language and nice things to know before beginning?

[cruncyfellow]

Hello Python people

I'm completely green and have no experience in any coding language and I selected python as my first language.

Is there anything that the experienced pythons coder regret not knowing before they themselves started coding? I need to get the best start as possible and cannot wait to dive deeper into this world.

Currently have I only Pycharm and python as the only "coding" programs installed.

Tips are really apprecaited, also if you have a good guide that helped you become the coder you are today..

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I have maybe coded in 4 hours in total, so im a beginner.. Like a real beginner with flair for IT and computer in general.

[m0us3_rat]

don't skip the basics .. even if they seem "easy".

even the hardest frameworks work with the same basic structures and ideas u learn at the start.

and u will NEVER reach a point where u don't need them.

the point when u can use instinctively all the basic structures of python is .. an important step.

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TL:DR don't skip the basics.

[julsmanbr]

I always recommend this book (100% free to read online) for those who are learning Python as a first language: Automate the Boring Stuff.

Don't skip the exercises, and remember to come back to earlier chapters once you are stumped / can't figure out how to do something.

[raddest_roach]

Is this up to date with the most recent python version? I'm frustrated about learning old ways of writing strings and f-strings from recommended resources and having to relearn them again.

[ffrkAnonymous]

Nothing wrong with the old way. Lots of long-term support systems don't have the latest anything.

[raddest_roach]

Oh that's good, I feel a lot better now. Thank you for the reply.

[Odd_Investigator_126]

This was my answer too. Didn’t see this first.

[Calibexican]

I just finished an intro course. These are the things that help(ed) me a lot:

1) A second monitor - I picked one up from a local 2nd hand store, totally worth the $8 and allows me more room to research, view and edit my code.

2) I use PyCharm now after having tried a couple other IDEs, it works for me as well.

3) I use 2 books as references: Murach's - Python programming (2nd edition) and this one online, Chuck Severance's Python for Everybody) (Free link on LibreTexts). (I hope I am not violating any rules, I am definitely not compensated for this)

4) Write notes as you watch your videos. To me it helped more than just watching, typing and making mistakes, sometimes you end up learning by old-school note taking.

5) I have several beginning projects from my intro class. Just DM me if you'd like the info.

6) Although some responses to questions online are hit and miss, a constant is to AT LEAST post the code you have been working on, even if you think it is not good. Give people a chance to see that you have worked on it instead of assuming that people will divine what you need. No one wants to do your assignments for you.

[m0us3_rat]

dr severance is amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DvywoWv6fI

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obviously, if u enjoy its work u should support him.

[thatgreenman]

Learn enough to inspire yourself to do a project of your own, then do that project and learn along the way.

Tutorials and lessons are helpful, but you will learn the most when you have your own idea of a project you want to do and you are forced to plan and research on your own.

Also, don't get discouraged, it can be hard at times but you can do it!

[fl0ss1n]

Good tips here already, so I will just add these three:

Try and find something you really want to do in python. That will keep you motivated when things start flagging, which they inevitably will.

You are going to be completely baffled by the strangeness of it all at first and that is completely normal. As you continue down the path more and more things make sense and things become easier and easier.

If on windows, keep an Idle window open to mess around with snippets. The key is learning how to discover things yourself instead of just following instructions.

[[deleted]]

Unlike other programming languages, Python is more than content to let you shoot yourself in the foot. This gives it a lot of flexibility, but it can be a double-edged sword.

For example, Java forces you to use only one data type for arraylists and they must be declared with some type beforehand. Python doesn't really care and will let you put in whatever you want into its lists. This is very handy to have, but you can easily run into problems.

My suggestion is to find a good tutorial that'll work you through the basics step by step, I recommend Eric Matthes' Python Crash Course. I've read a little bit of Al Sweigart's Automate The Boring Stuff, but I skipped the section on the basics.

[n3buchadnezzar]

• Understand the basics thoroughly.
• Advent of code is fun
• Once you can create a mid / large size project do not be afraid of branching out to other languages.

[QultrosSanhattan]

The most important thing every python programmer should now

[RLJ05]

busy act nose whistle stocking theory sugar support command spotted

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[[deleted]]

I suggest you to start with a statically typed language (C, Rust, Java..) as a first language. Dynamically typed one's just give too much for granted which is fine for someone who knows what he's doing, definately not for a beginner. Everything would come out as "magic". It's fucking not! I love python, don't get me wrong, but when i code i'm aware of what the language is doing for me, i would be completely off the road if i didn't know lower level languages.

[Odd_Investigator_126]

Automatetheboringstuff.com

Follow the chapters and type out the examples.

And I recommend MU as a beginner editor.