How Should I Start Learning Python?

How Should I Start Learning Python?

Firstly, you are interested in learning a programming language, in this case Python, which indicates that you are interested in stepping into the world of IT. The basic requirement to start your career in IT is to learn a programming language. It is like learning your mother tongue, without which you cannot learn any other language such as English, French or Hindi. Secondly, you showing interest in Python indicates that you are inclined towards world of Data Science or AI. Of course, Python could be used for web or software development however, going by current trend Python is widely associated with those interested in the world of DS or AI.

What is Python?

As we established the premise that learning Python is a basic requirement to step into the IT world and especially into DS or AI domains let’s focus on the part of how to learn. Python is a high level, general purpose language. High-level because you would code in a human understandable language (print, input, max, min,…) and General because you could use to build games, applications, machine learning, etc. Python is a open source interpreted language that is supported by community to help you learn better. It is as powerful as any other popular programming language yet simpler in structure. If you look at the TIOBE ratings, Python ranked 3 among all the popular programming languages. To top it top, if you look at the last column the change of rating is positive whereas for others it is negative. This indicates that Python is getting more and more audience. Hence, it is right decision to learn Python.

Python is Easy to Learn

Saying that Python is easy to learn and hard to master. It is simple and syntax friendly however as you dive deeper it can challenge you. Hence, it is safe to say your diving should depend on what you want to achieve from learning Python. In case you are interested in Machine Learning then learning Python basics, conditional Statements, loops, bit of functions, etc. would suffice and you would move on with Python libraries i.e. NumPy and Pandas and eventually ML algorithms. However, in case you are interested in development side of the business that you would go deeper towards advanced, functions, Oops, error handling, Reg Exp., Modules & Packages, Date & Time. Git & GitHub, etc. This is how we at CEDLEARN structured our Python Course and machine learning course curriculum to meet the needs of the students rather than teaching everything to everyone. Try to figure out goal, i.e. Learning based systems or Logic based systems which would clear how much you should learn.

How to Schedule & Learn Python?

By now you must be clear on What is Python, Purpose & Goal, etc. Let’s focus on HOW part of it. To learn python start with scheduling. If you could schedule 2 hours per day of dedicated time for Python. You could learn it in 20 days. Yes, don’t be surprised. As I have mentioned it is easy to learn and hard to master. You could achieve beginner level with 30 - 50 hours of practice. Then you could decide whether to get along with other dependent paths like machine learning or dive deep into the advanced concepts. Bottom line there is ‘No Alternative to Practice’. Difference between a good Python programmer and the normal one is number of hours of investment. Gone are the days where information was limited. Currently, you have various sources (text, audio, video, etc.) offering variety and volume of learning material. You could find a source that suits your learning style and carry on with your learning. Write down a target date of 20 days from your start date and go for it.

Why it is becoming hard to Learn?

You may wonder why does students fail to learn in spite of having so much online support and free courses. The answer is structured program and hand holding. Most of us are tuned to the teacher centric learning where we expect the teacher to guide us through the learning by offering a structure program and solve queries however silly they are. The online video based program fail to fill the gaps in the knowledge student might have developed during learning which would multiply over the time and eventually students gets disengaged from the learning path. Also these online programs are marketing activities to attract students to their platforms or courses. Hence, they would not cover the essentials and the way you prefer to learn.

Opportunities

There are every growing demand for Python developers, Data Analysts, Data Scientist, and so on. For all these Python is the baseline. As more and more organizations are learning towards using Python at the core of their applications the demand for Python professionals is increasing. The salaries for these professionals are ranging anywhere from 10L per annum to 20L per annum depending on their expertise and independent working capabilities. Even the freshers are drawing hefty packages without much difficulty.

Words of Advice

As a conclusion you take my word on the face value that Python is a great programming language and easy to learn. Just start with installing the Python IDLE and Jupiter notebook (Anaconda Distribution). You don’t need anything more than that. In Parallel work on your soft skills too as you may be good at programming but there is an interview to clear. I have personally witnessed best of the students could not get through interview due to lack of soft skills rather than technical skills. Most of the good organization recruit candidates not just for today but for tomorrow. Good luck and hopefully we would meet again soon.