Deciding that you want to start programming is a fun time. It is an exciting time where you open yourself to a world of many possibilities. Now, if you are considering Python, the first thing I need to say is that it is a great choice, but for beginners, how exactly do you go about learning Python? Well, this is our introduction.
Python is an object-orientated programming language. It is used in financial applications, web apps, and much more. It is one of the best languages for beginners to learn because it is an excellent introduction to programming. Also, it is one of the easiest languages to learn while it is robust and widely used.
In this article, we want to give you the tips that you need to succeed when it comes to learning Python. Look, I am not going to tell you that it will be easy because it might be difficult for some. What I can say is if you read this article and follow our advice, you will find Python not only to be a great language to learn but also a lot of fun
What Qualities Do Beginners Need To Start Learning Python?
Before you can start learning Python or any other type of programming, you need to ask yourself whether or not you have the required qualities. Not everyone is good at the same thing. However, I find that if you possess at least one of these qualities, you should enjoy your time learning how to program, especially in Python
For me, the most important of those personality traits is patience. You will find yourself in many situations where things don’t work as you plan, and you will have to go through many resources to find a problem and then solve it.
Problem-solving is another quality that you need to have. See, programming is all about logic, and a good problem solver can identify the most logical way to solve an issue. Don’t worry, though; this can be learned.
How to Get Started with Python in 6 Steps
Before you can start learning Python, you need to get started, and there are a few steps that you need to follow. Going to the python website after reading this article is your best option. They make it easy for you to get started. However, first read through this article to know where to get everything you need, such as an IDE, resources, courses, and much more.
- Go to www.python.org
- Install the Python Library
- Find your preferred IDE: PyCharm, Idle, Visual Studio, and Spyder are great.
- Get a good text editor: Simple editors like Notepad++ are great. Also, Sublime text.
- Find a course that suits you: We will discuss this in the article.
- Start learning and practicing.
On your first go trying to sort everything out, you might get it right. However, there is a high chance that things don’t always work out in the first go, and you will have to keep redoing it. Remember, this is the start of your journey, and it is of utmost importance for you to be patient.
Python: Where do you Start for Beginners?
When you get started learning how to code, things can be overwhelming, and one frustrating thing is when you read an article that doesn’t tell you where to start or what you should be learning. We could point you in the direction of courses, which we are going to do in this article, but we want you to understand what you should be learning first, and that’s what this section is all about
If you go to www.geeks4geeks.com/python-programming-language, you will find all of the things discussed in this section. It is all in order, from the basics to advanced concepts, for you to learn so that things aren’t overwhelming
- Learn the Basics: Learning the basics of Python should be your first step. Here you will learn what Python is, what it does, and how to structure your code. Also, while learning the basics, you will make a simple program like a calculator, which is a big step up from other tutorials that teach you how to say “hello world.”
- Input and Output: Input and Output is a fundamental concept for almost every programming language. The syntax separates most languages from the rest, so if you know even a bit of programming, Input and Output should be a fundamental understanding for you, but you will learn the python syntax.
- Data Types: Next, you have data types. Again, this is a fundamental concept in most programming languages. You will learn what data types exist within the Python library and the python syntax for data types.
- Variables: I don’t want to keep repeating myself, but variables exist across multiple languages. Again, you will learn the structure and the syntax of Python when it comes to variables.
- Operators: Learning the operators that exist within Python is vital. You will also learn how to place operators logically, and you will see how to identify them.
- Functions: A function is a task. Everything else points towards the task, and when you call on a function, you are telling whatever program you are writing to execute that function.
- OOP Concepts: OOP stands for object-orientated programming. Let’s use a video game as an example. In Call of Duty, you have a bullet. That is an object. You create the object and then call on that object whenever you need it. See, object-orientated programming.
- Control Flow: control flow is all about the structure of your code. For example, you might need your program to loop back to the previous function, or you or you might need to switch positions depending on what the user has requested. It’s all about flow.
Once you have gone through all of that, which I consider being the basics, yep, even control flow, in my experience, is basic. However, once you have gone through all of that, you can then start learning how Python is utilized within the Django framework. You will be able to learn how to use Python with a GUI (graphical user interface) and much more
When you start learning how to work with a graphical user interface, and you start with the Django framework coupled with learning how to understand data analysis with Python, that is when the genuine fun begins. That is at this point where you will start to master the craft of coding with Python.
Best Free Courses for Learning Python
Look, I need to be honest. While there is a wealth of free online courses that you can take to learn Python and just about any other development language, you sometimes need more. You might run into the problem of using multiple resources before you can become efficient enough at Python to find a job.
Free courses only offer so much. For beginners, free resources will get you to a point where you are good enough to either attend a boot camp or pay for a course. If you rely only on free resources, then the amount of time you will spend learning can double.
Finally, we have written an extensive article covering the best free online resources that you can use to start your programming journey. However, in this section, we will be discussing places that you can go specifically to learn Python. Let’s get into it.
GeeksForGeeks
The geeks for geeks python tutorials are extensive, and they can give you a great understanding of how Python works. Not only that, but it also tells you what Python is best used for. There are more reasons why I love geeks for geeks.
Everything is well organized. For example, the first set of tutorials are to do with the basics. Next, you have input and output tutorials, data types, variables, and it even teaches you how to do data analysis. In a nutshell, the geeks for geeks website has everything you need to learn Python.
There is also a section in geeks for geeks to find a paid course to teach everything you need to know to ace an interview. So, while it doesn’t deal directly with Python, it deals with basic programming principles that you usually get tested on at interviews.
Udemy
Udemy is straightforward. Once you have signed up for an account, you can search for whatever course you want. That includes python courses. Whether you are looking to learn specific aspects of Python or if you want an entire class, Udemy should have it.
When you search for a course, you will see a lot of paid-for courses. What you need to do is go to the filters and select “price.” From there you can choose all the free courses.
If you are lucky enough, you might be able to find a premium course that is free for a moment. These are worth it as +they often have a lot more content in them. But also, they might point you in the right direction for a different course at the end so that you can keep learning.
YouTube
YouTube is one of the best resources for beginners to learn programming. When you search for “Python for beginners,” you will find many videos ranging from 20 minutes long to 6 hours. You can also search for different aspects of Python. So, if you want to learn about pandas, machine learning, the operators, variables, and data types? You can search for those individually.
Two cons stand out when using YouTube. The first is that many YouTubers give you just enough so that when they advertise their paid-for course, you kind of need it. That’s where the other resources in this article come in handy. The second con is that it’s hard to keep track of where you are unless you know how to work the playlist system.
YouTube is a great resource that should be used as a supplement to other resources. For example, when you are stuck on something, you can try to find help on YouTube.
StackOverflow
Stackoverflow makes it into almost every one of our how-to articles. It is a landing page for all programmers of all skill levels, and that is where the power of stack overflow lies.
Using stack overflow is less about looking for tutorials and more about asking for help when you need it. If you have a problem or need to know something, all you have to do is start a discussion on StackOverflow. The experienced developers on the site will help you because it has a great community of people that want to help each other.
It is essential to only ask for help when you really need it. Most of the time, you can find a solution to your problem by scrolling through discussions that already exist.
Coursera
Using Coursera is similar to using Udemy. All you have to do is search for a course after creating an account. The great thing about Coursera is that finding free courses is more straightforward than any other platform.
The Coursera lecturers and developers are some of the best I have seen. If you feel like you want to progress to more premium courses, Coursera makes it easy for you. You can find links to some of the best resources on their site, including colleges and workshops.
We will discuss Coursera in the premium site section because they also offer paid-for classes that are excellent.
Best Online Paid Courses for Learning Python
I want to discuss what you can expect from a premium course as opposed to a free one. Paid-for-courses are more condensed with valuable information. Because a lot more time and effort goes into premium courses, you can expect to find real-world examples, practice tests, and much more.
A premium course is the best way to set yourself up in a position where you can more efficiently tackle real-world coding problems. Also, being a self-taught programmer doesn’t mean you can’t attend boot camps and workshops. The more you know, the easier it will be to attend these workshops and boot camps.
Coursera
I know that we have already discussed Coursera in the free resource section. However, the site is also one of the best resources you can have if you want to spend a little bit of money. They have a premium service, Coursera plus, and they give you some great benefits.
Coursera also has a great network, and you can use this site to try and find workshops, boot camps, colleges, and even universities. You can do all of this while also using some of their free courses, which is a nice little touch
BitDegree
Bitdegree is not different from any of the other resources we have spoken about. However, they do have a large selection of courses that you can choose from. Some are free, but you have to pay for a lot of them, but there is one thing we love about choosing a course from BitDegree.
The students rank every course, so you can easily judge whether or not a course will be worth the money simply by looking at what other people are saying about it
Can You Learn Python on Your Phone?
I understand that there are various reasons why someone would want to learn on their phone. For example, some people don’t have the money to get the required setup but still want to learn. At the same time, not everyone has enough time in the day to be at a desk learning constantly.
The good news is that you can theoretically learn how to program in Python on your phone up to a certain point, though. You could learn the theory behind everything and, obviously, use your phone’s keyboard to type out code as practice. However, you will not be able to build any programs, and therefore, you won’t be able to leverage Python fully.
You need a system with the Python Source code on it. It would be best if you also had a proper Integrated Development Environment, an IDE.
If you want to learn on your phone, I highly recommend checking out a few of the courses on Udemy. The mobile app allows you to download any of the video lessons in a class you are subscribed to, whether free or paid-for. This means that you can take your online lessons on the road with you and watch them in the palm of your hand.
What Do You Need To Start Learning Python?
Now that you know what courses you will need to learn Python, I think it is important to highlight two more things you need before learning any programming, especially in a language as powerful as Python.
Time
I guess you could learn slowly and at your own pace. However, Python is an extremely powerful language. It gets used to write many different systems, from financial applications to some of the most commonly used web apps and mobile apps in YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
You need to dedicate a healthy amount of time to your studies. I understand that for some people with work and personal life, perhaps even School, time can be scarce but trust me, knowing how to program in Python will eventually pay off.
A Good PC
We have stated that you could use your mobile to learn basic coding with Python. However, when you start programming, especially when you begin using graphics, you will need a good PC. Remember, software development uses a lot of RAM because they run the program that you develop.
During your learning journey, you will run many emulations, and those emulations also require quite a lot of resources from the PC. Now I’m not saying you have to break the bank on a new PC, but you need some decent specs, at least.
Is Python Hard to Learn For Beginners?
Python is an object-orientated programming language, and relative to other coding languages, these can be some of the easiest to learn but most challenging to master.
I want you to think about your personality for a second. What is it that you are best at? Can you solve problems using logic in your daily life, school, or at work? If that sounds like you, then learning how to program in Python should be relatively easy.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Python?
Look, I can give you a rough estimate, but in reality, it isn’t easy to guess how long it will take you to learn Python because everybody is different. With that said, I can use my experience to give you a pretty good estimate. Let’s get into it.
When you start, you can learn the basics of Python within three months. It should take another four to six months for the more complex parts of Python. The problematic aspects are what will take up most of your time. When we add it all together, I would say that you should give yourself a year of solid learning.
For individuals who are already clued up when it comes to programming principles, the time is significantly reduced because you should mainly be learning the different syntax and structure of Python instead of the languages you are familiar with.
Can Self-Taught Python Programmers Get a Job?
When you talk about the popularity of a programming language, you will almost always be inaccurate because it constantly changes. One month Java might be the most in-demand language, the following JavaScript, and the next could be Python. These three languages are continually battling it out to see who is the most popular
We know that there are constantly jobs available for Python, and if you were to go into the industry as a self-taught programmer, Python is one of the best languages you can have in your library. In my experience, it is best to know more than one language. If you can program in Java, Python, and a language like C#, you are a more desirable employee.
It is safe to say that as a self-taught programmer, you will be able to find a job in Python. You might have to build a small portfolio that you can do in your own time by doing little projects or finding remote freelance work on websites like remote IO.
Is it Worth It to Learn Python?
Any experienced developer will tell you that Python used to be and still is a core language in software development. Now, if you are a beginner, I don’t blame you for wondering whether or not a language is worth your time to learn
Python is worth it to learn. Whether you are an experienced developer or a complete beginner, you cannot go wrong with a language as robust and as widely used as Python. In fact, I encourage everyone to learn the language because it will be used as far as we can see.
Final Thoughts
You can learn various languages as a programmer, Python is one of them, but Python isn’t just a programming language. It is the backbone of so many applications that we use, whether it be in automation, financial, social media, or even if some games
You can’t overestimate how valuable Python can be to you as an aspiring developer. Look, even if it is not your primary focus, I recommend that you learn Python because it looks good on a CV and because it gives you a fundamental understanding of how object-orientated programming works. If you want to go into app development or game development, you need to know how object-orientated programming is best utilized.