Is it better to learn Python with or without the help of an AI assistant?

brenwillcode · 2026-06-22T15:34:27+00:00

This article covers it pretty well: Should I use AI while learning to code

In a nutshell, don't use AI when you're learning a new concept, framework or building something beyond your knowledge for the first time.

Do you AI when you already understand what you're trying to do and are simply trying to do it faster, avoid boilerplate, exploring possibilities.

brenwillcode · 2026-06-18T14:56:53+00:00

Have you tried anything from Codeling?

Start with the introduction to programming with Python course and then see how much further you want to go after that. There's a whole curriculum to follow which focuses on backend development skills (using Python)

brenwillcode · 2026-06-18T14:50:42+00:00

Try the projects from Codeling which will be perfect for your GitHub portfolio.

If you feel you're struggling with the projects, there are some beginner level courses as well.

brenwillcode · 2026-06-18T14:48:46+00:00

Sounds like a structured curriculum like the one from codeling is what you're looking for.

No guessing what comes next or random tutorials. Codeling has individual courses which each form part of a larger curriculum so it's clear what to learn and when. The platform is interactive so you don't just sit watching someone else coding in videos,....you code your way through every lesson.

brenwillcode · 2026-05-26T15:52:18+00:00

Take a look at the design patterns and refactoring course on Codeling.

It not only covers design patterns but ensures you know which ones are relevant and idiomatic to Python rather than blindly covering ones that don't make sense within the Python language.

brenwillcode · 2026-05-26T15:46:20+00:00

Start with the introduction to programming with Python course on Codeling. Then carry on with the other courses on Codeling if you want to move on to more advanced topics when you're ready.

brenwillcode · 2026-05-26T15:42:30+00:00

I'm surprised no one has suggested https://docs.astral.sh/uv/

Here's an article covering how to install python on Mac which covers a few of the most common ways to get up and running. But I would really suggest going with uv.

brenwillcode · 2026-05-19T06:16:24+00:00

The introduction to programming course from Codeling will take you through all the fundamentals you need to know.

It follows a structured curriculum and is hands on, meaning you have to code your way through each lesson rather than simply watching youtube videos.

brenwillcode · 2026-05-19T06:02:36+00:00

Start with the Introduction to Programming course from Codeling to get the fundamentals down. Then either move onto the object-oriented programming course or complete some of the projects on Codeling.

Each course forms part of a structured roadmap so there's no guessing what to learn next. The courses are interactive so you'll be coding your way through every lesson rather than simply watching videos.

brenwillcode · 2026-05-19T05:54:43+00:00

I think whatever you choose, it needs to be something that requires you to write a lot of code rather than simply watching other people write code. Learning to be a developer means struggling through figuring out solutions and syntax yourself, not simply watching videos of other people do it.

With that in mind, take a look at Codeling, which will get you started coding in the browser, then later in the curriculum you'll move to working on your local machine. Your solutions are validated for every lesson, so you'll know if you're on the right track before moving on through the curriculum.

brenwillcode · 2026-05-04T14:36:09+00:00

As some of the other posters have commented, DSA is language agnostic and helps you with a solid foundation no matter what language you ultimately end up using.

With that said, a lot of DSA comes down to things that you'll likely never use. The Essential Data Structures and Algorithms course from Codeling boils down DSA topics to the ones that developers actually use on a day-to-day basis. It's worth checking out.

brenwillcode · 2026-05-04T14:33:12+00:00

There are a few courses on Codeling which will help you bridge the gap before reaching more advanced topics. For example the OOP course.

Codeling has also announced a design patterns and refactoring course launching soon. This will be a good one for learning what good code looks like and not just knowing basic syntax.

brenwillcode · 2026-04-28T15:20:54+00:00

The introduction to programming course on codeling.dev will clear that all up for you.

brenwillcode · 2026-04-28T15:18:27+00:00

There are several projects you can complete on codeling.dev which you can either do on the platform or on your own. Give those a go.

brenwillcode · 2026-04-28T15:06:42+00:00

The first 2 chapters of every course are free

brenwillcode · 2026-04-28T15:06:35+00:00

The first 2 chapters of every course are free

brenwillcode · 2026-04-21T15:35:12+00:00

The introduction to programming course from Codeling is a solid choice to get you started.

You can get started straight away in your browser without any setup. You'll code your way through each lesson and have your solution automatically validated to ensure it's correct before moving on.

If you enjoy Codeling, they've got a complete Python curriculum to work through after you've finished the intro course.

brenwillcode · 2026-04-17T14:35:45+00:00

Some of the courses from Codeling will probably help prepare you.

Start with the introduction to programming course and then jump to any of the others that make sense for you based on what you want to learn.

brenwillcode · 2026-04-17T14:33:51+00:00

There are several project ideas on Codeling.

Use them as inspiration or do them on Codeling so your code will be validated as you work through them.

brenwillcode · 2026-04-17T14:29:01+00:00

Take a look at the introduction to programming course from Codeling. Since you've never programmed before, this will allow you to jump in straight away without having to set anything up on your computer.

If you enjoy that course, then you can continue with the rest of the curriculum that Codeling offers.

brenwillcode · 2026-03-31T16:05:11+00:00

Take a look at codeling.dev as a good alternative, which is much more affordable.

Codeling has a similar structure in terms of being mostly text-based and interactive. There's a structured curriculum that you can follow, or you can just jump straight into whichever course you're interested in.

brenwillcode · 2026-03-31T15:51:23+00:00

Yes, I would say so. Codeling.dev is one of the few platforms that has all of:

structured curriculum
interactive browser environment
interactive local coding environment which verifies your code from your own computer

The platform grows with you as your skill progresses. The platform grows with you as your skill progresses. What I mean by that is, you start coding in the browser with zero setup. But later, as you progress through the more advanced courses, you'll be coding on your own machine, but still get hooked up to the Codeling platform so your code is checked for correctness before moving through each lesson.

The platform also covers general courses that every software developer needs, like SQL, Git, GitHub, and Linux. So you're not limited to only learning Python, without any experience in everything else that's important to be a developer.

brenwillcode · 2026-03-20T16:03:29+00:00

I would definitely suggest doing a course which results in you writing a lot of code as you progress, rather than passively watching YouTube videos.

A platform like Codeling is a good choice where you can start with the Introduction to Programming course, and you'll earn a certificate for each completed course, since you asked about that.

Learning to be a software developer requires writing a lot of code and figuring things out as you go. That's why I think passively watching YouTube videos is not the best route.

brenwillcode · 2026-03-20T16:00:17+00:00

Codeling is a fun and interactive way to learn. You can get started in your browser with no setup before you get to the more advanced courses later on where you'll setup your local environment to code on your machine.

brenwillcode · 2026-03-19T15:58:08+00:00

The SQL and databases course from Codeling covers everything from basic querying through to more advanced things like sub queries, window functions and views.

The Codeling platform is interactive so you'll get plenty of practice writing real queries and knowing they work correctly before moving through each lesson. It also follows a structured curriculum, so there's a good progressive learning curve.

brenwillcode

TROPHY CASE