Just my little tip on how to learn Python the easy way ☑️

[Sartre]

Many people ask me how to get into programming. I think Python might not be the best language out there, but it's easy to start with, and it's good for automating the web. The other option is JavaScript, which in my opinion, is harder to get into.

Persistence is the most important skill here. I'd recommend the following:

Download Visual Studio Code. Create a Github account. Both are free.

Learning resources:

1. [Free] Start with https://automatetheboringstuff.com/ I think they have a paid video version of the book, but I prefer learning from regular books. Videos are hard to follow for me. Get a second monitor or a tablet/kindle to follow the books while you're learning.
2. [Free] Go through the https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/ 2-3 times and type out all the code and make sure you understand it and it runs properly.
3. This book https://realpython.com/products/python-tricks-book/ - At this point you should start making your own, interesting, productive apps.
4. One year later: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/fluent-python-2nd/9781492056348/
5. Once you know your stuff: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/architecture-patterns-with/9781492052197/ - this book helped me a lot with making real-life apps and orchestrating bigger projects.

Don't really need to pay for any expensive courses. 2-3 books, and you're good.

The first 15 videos for Automate the Boring Stuff with Python are free here:

Make sure never to copy-paste code.

Good luck, guys!

 

[dick8843]

thanks for this . something to have a play around with

 

[RatSeaExclusive]

I'd recommend everyone to not learn python just to learn it. Actually make something useful and figure out the way to sell it - it might be your future job or your own SaaS service (there are more things to consider).

 

[Sartre]

I'd recommend everyone to not learn python just to learn it. Actually make something useful and figure out the way to sell it - it might be your future job or your own SaaS service (there are more things to consider).

agree 100%. start with small, fun projects that actually do something. That's what the free course is advocating actually.

 

[RealDaddy]

Dope share @Sartre

 

[drehdinho]

Boom! I love this motivation. Will save this in my note to remind myself Python can be learned the easy way. Thanks so much.

 

[buhebutlerpp]

I taught myself PHP language and i think it is learner friendly and easy to start with. Many web applications are written in PHP including many open source software like wordpress and magento so you should be able to find many answers should you encounter any errors. As for python, it is learner friendly as far as the syntax.

 

[michealcay]

I taught myself PHP language and i think it is learner friendly and easy to start with. Many web applications are written in PHP including many open source software like wordpress and magento so you should be able to find many answers should you encounter any errors. As for python, it is learner friendly as far as the syntax.

Can it crawl javascript or ajax websites like python with selenium?

 

[Robzkie]

I always thought it would be an interesting idea to have a skills hare here on BHW.

Like you teach me python, I teach you linkbuilding...

Newbie question: is python useful only for desktop-based automations?

 

[insynch]

Thank you for the share. How is the learning curve from your experience?
Did it take you 1, 2, 3 years to learn and get you where you are at now?

 

[4aim]

Thanks for this, it's so useful

 

[Kinu Actaz]

Amazing share @Sartre

 

[MuayThai]

Videos are hard to follow for me. Get a second monitor or a tablet/kindle to follow the books while you're learning.

Actually, videos are hard to follow for anyone, I am afraid.
But people like to watch videos, because it allows to spend time pretending that they are learning something new.
Never in my life have I met a professional who learned his skills by watching videos.

 

[SirLouen]

I've always found outstanding those people that learns programming reading books and documentation.

This is actually the best technical way to go, but I've tried 1 million times and for me is completely impossible to use that method

I've seen many people with that claim "learn programming the easy way" and obviously proposing many other alternatives.

The truth is that there is no easy way. Some people will find video courses rewarding, others may need to go to a bootcamp, and some others are fine to go with books/documentation like you. One of my programmers got the Zend Framework in less than one month just by reading the docs. He did not even study in the University, and he was sharing office with many others that had a computer science degree and could not manage to learn Zend. This guy was exceptional with docs learning.

For me, the "easy way" is reviewing others code and understanding it. Once I understand a snippet, I fully integrate both the logic and, more importantly, the way that language works. Everytime I start reading a book I get so bored that I leave it in no more than 15 minutes. I could read a philosophy book for a couple of hours straight, but I cannot read more than 3 pages of a programming book before being overly bored.

Make sure never to copy-paste code.

In fact, this is for me the best way to learn.

Furthermore, we must be aware, that not everyone has the "programming brain". To code, one basically need to have a predominant brain hemisphere (not sure right or left, the logical one).
Those sensitive, emotional whatever people, that can sell a glass of water to a drowning guy, won't ever learn how to code (despite they find the topic fascinating and to be the future).
In fact, they are wasting their time, instead of moving to areas where they could flourish ten times quicker.

The easier way to code, is to start coding whatever the method you choose to start, but more importantly to test multiple methods.
If after this, you cannot code. Then fuck it and learn other skills. Don't insist. No effort, no consistency, no patience is involved in this process. It's somewhat binary.
I seriously doubt that Warren Buffett would have ever learnt how to code, even if he was born in this age, although Zuckerberg and Gates do.

Conclusion: try it, test multiple methods (like the books ones, maybe some courses, perhaps a bootcamp). Stick around 6-12 months at most, and if it doesn't prosper leave it a move to a no-code life.

The most valuable skill in coding is learning, which is the method which makes you move faster and farm it.

This is my best and only tip to anyone willing to learn coding, the most unnatural skill in the world.

 

[hiepdn]

agree 100%. start with small, fun projects that actually do something. That's what the free course is advocating actually.

Thanks for the share. Any suggestion on what we can do with it for SEO?

 

[leit]

I am learning Python through the creation of projects.

For example, I just created my first AI related code today and for a total neophyte in programming, it's not bad. It's not that sophisticated, but it gets the job done.

 

[GenesisOne]

Nice share @Sartre

 

[Sartre]

Thank you for the share. How is the learning curve from your experience?
Did it take you 1, 2, 3 years to learn and get you where you are at now?

Python has the lowest learning curve I've ever seen.

If you are bright and hard-working, you could go from 0 to creating an app that produces automated websites that are making money in 6 months.

 

[GregZX]

I'd recommend everyone to not learn python just to learn it. Actually make something useful and figure out the way to sell it - it might be your future job or your own SaaS service (there are more things to consider).

101% agree. Make it intresting to learn! Cause you learn best through working on actual projects and resolving actual problems for something that you really want to make

 

[Quickmedia17]

I am trying to learn how Python works, and where can I use it since the beginning of August. Your post absolutely gives me good motivation. Thank you @Sartre