Complete guide to start learning python
The first step in learning any programming language is making sure that you understand how to learn. Knowing how to learn is arguably the most critical skill involved in computer programming.
Python: Python is a high-level, interpreted, general-purpose programming language that supports both object-oriented programming and structured programming. It is quite versatile and offers a lot of functionalities using standard libraries which allows the easy implementation of complex applications.
Python is also the most popular and fastest-growing programming language in current times. In this article, we will offer several learning strategies that will help to quick-start your journey of becoming a rock star Python programmer!
1. Understand your area of interest: Before starting learning Python, it is important to understand your area of interest so that you remain motivated. Some of the areas to explore with Python are Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Web Development, Robotics, App development, Python scripts, etc.
2. Learn the basic Python syntax: It is necessary to learn the basic Python syntax before starting anything. Only a little time is required to become familiar with the syntax and you can move on to coding. Any doubts that arise later can always be addressed by referring back to the syntax.
3.Code every day: Consistency is very important when you are learning a new language. We recommend making a commitment to code every day. It may be hard to believe, but muscle memory plays a large part in programming. Committing to coding every day will really help develop that muscle memory. Though it may seem daunting at first, consider starting small with 25 minutes every day and working your way up from there.
4. Write it out: As you progress on your journey as a new programmer, you may wonder if you should be taking notes. Yes, you should! In fact, research suggests that taking notes by hand is most beneficial for long-term retention. This will be especially beneficial for those working towards the goal of becoming a full-time developer, as many interviews will involve writing code on a whiteboard.
Once you start working on small projects and programs, writing by hand can also help you plan your code before you move to the computer. You can save a lot of time if you write out which functions and classes you will need, as well as how they will interact.
5. Take classes: Learning from experts can be a great way to speed up the learning process. Find a class near you and let a mentor guide you. For some people, online classes work well, for some offline/live classes work better. Research shows that people are 5x more likely to complete an offline course than an online course.
6. Take Breaks: Take a short break, and then repeat the process. Taking breaks is critical to have an effective study session, particularly when you are taking in a lot of new information.
Breaks are especially important when you are debugging.
If you hit a bug and can’t quite figure out what is going wrong, and take a break. Step away from your computer, go for a walk, or chat with a friend. In programming, your code must follow the rules of a language and logic exactly, so even missing a quotation mark will break everything. Fresh eyes make a big difference.
7. Become a bug bounty hunter: Speaking of hitting a bug, it is inevitable once you start writing complex programs that you will run into bugs in your code. It happens to all of us! Don’t let bugs frustrate you. Instead, embrace these moments with pride and think of yourself as a bug bounty hunter.
8. Surround yourself with others who are learning: Though coding may seem like a solitary activity, it actually works best when you work together. This will allow you to share the tips and tricks you learn along the way.
Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone. There are plenty of ways to meet others who are passionate about learning. Find local events or Meetups or join Hackathons which is one of the best ways to learn new things by solving complex challenges.
9. Teach: It is said that the best way to learn something is to teach it. This is true when you are learning any programming language. There are many ways to do this: whiteboarding with other similar programming lovers, writing blog posts explaining newly learned concepts, recording videos in which you explain something you learned. Each of these strategies will solidify your understanding as well as expose any gaps in your understanding.
10. Build some small practice project: The journey of building is something truly that will teach you the most. You can only learn so much from reading Real Python articles and courses. Most of your learning will come from using Python to build something. The problems you will solve will teach you a lot.
There are many lists out their ideas for beginner Python projects. Here are some ideas to get
you started:
Number guessing game
Simple calculator app
Dice roll simulator
11. Contribute to the open-source: In the open-source model, software source code is available publicly, anyone can collaborate and make use of it. For example, let’s say you have written a blog on how to fix a specific bug.
Next, the project managers/Users will review your work, providing comments and suggestions if there is an effective way of achieving it more easily. This will enable you to learn best practices, as well as practice communicating with other developers.
Conclusion: One with the strong dedication, desire to learn with a perfect strategy by practicing multiple projects and contributing to open source would definitely excel in Python.
