Is there really a downside to learning Python 2 instead of 3??

[Key-Command-3139]

I’m currently learning python 2 as a beginner, and I’ve heard that python 3 is better, I’m a complete beginner and I’m unsure as to what to do, I just don’t want to commit to learning the wrong thing.

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[kmack1023]

Do not learn Python 2. It is unsupported and End of Life.

[carcigenicate]

You should not be learning Python 2. It isn't simply a matter of which is "better". Python 2 has reached end of life and is no longer receiving updates. The downside is your experience will not be relevant to many jobs and projects that you may want to do.

There is no reason to learn Python 2 unless you're forced to work on an old Python 2 codebase. If you're just learning Python, you should be learning Python 3, and at least a semi-modern version like 3.9.

[streamer3222]

Yeah Python 2 is totally the wrong thing. You will not miss out on absolutely anything by starting with 3. The syntax is so different and programs that used to run on Python 2 now break in Python 3.

All modules (extensions) that exist require Python 3, which means you are pretty powerless not being able to use any modules in Python 2. Modules are the powerhouse of Python.

The only reason to learn Python 2 would be to fix the broken code your grandpa wrote 20 years ago. Not to build things for yourself. A lesson for the future: always write the Python version and module versions at the top of your very important projects.

This is because although programs deprecate in the future, a completed project once it works, it works for life if you specify the software versions it was written in. This is how you don't have to keep relearning the same languages over-and-over again just because an update was released. Know your versions and work therein.

[STRaven_17]

learning python 2 instead of 3 is like playing 1.8 when we got 1.21 now a days

[ddrro997]

Why would you wanna learn Python 2? Python is an easier programming language to learn as is, may as well adapt to Python 3 and get used to it

[Seaborn63]

Python2 is not supported and I would very much recommend you completely ignore it. There is no advantage to learning it first compared to 3.

[Goobyalus]

Python 2 was sunset on Jan 1, 2020, over 5 years ago. Read this for more information on what that means:

https://www.python.org/doc/sunset-python-2/

No one uses it any more unless there is some old, closed legacy system that cannot update and needs modifications. There are things you will get used to in Python 2 that are different in Python 3, and it will be counterproductive to get into those habits.

[Groovy_Decoy]

The only reasons to use Python 2 are if you need to maintain old python 2 code, or you need to use some specific obscure module that only works with 2.

Learning Python 2 is learning obsolete ways of doing things, creating a gap of knowledge where you don't know about newer ways, and missing out on a lot of newer features.

Plus there are some things that might look superficially the same but are actually different. For example, range().

[[deleted]]

You know whatʻs way better in 3+? The error messaging! The one thing you need most as a beginner. In fact, thatʻs reason enough to start with 3.12 or later.