How to get started learning Python

6 min readMay 3, 2020

Python is one of the most approachable programming languages. You can learn it with no coding background, and get started creating cool projects right away. Python is affectionately compared to “reading plain English.” Even if you’ve never coded a day in your life, you can probably guess what’s going on in this block of code.

It’s no wonder why Python is super popular these days. Companies like Instagram, Google, Netflix and Spotify all use Python for backend applications. There’s a huge job market for Python developers, making it appealing to learn for people looking to upgrade their careers.

Python is a great language for beginners to learn because it’s simple to read, there are lots of free learning resources, and there is a massive community of programmers who can help if you run into problems.

Here are some cool things you can do just using Python:

Automate routine tasks like email responses,
Create the backend for a website
Analyze data and generate charts
Build machine learning applications
Create programs to do math
Build multimedia applications like games

So, how do you get started with Python?

Assess your skill level

It’s easier to pick up a new coding language if you already have knowledge of the syntax and function of other languages. Particularly, if you know Java, C or C++, then learning Python should be a breeze. That’s because the team who developed Python drew inspiration from those languages.

If you’re new to coding, or have never coded with a server side language before, it can be helpful to take a computer science course. This will give you broad knowledge of how programming works. It’ll be easier to pick up Python concepts later down the road.

A highly recommended (and free!) computer science course is Harvard’s online CS50 lecture series. It even includes a lecture on Python, so you can get a basic primer before diving into more in-depth study.

2. Take an online course

There’s no better way to learn programming than by getting your hands dirty and doing it yourself. Online courses are great for this. In online courses, an instructor guides you through projects and learning scenarios that you can recreate in real-time on your own computer. The more you type programs with your own two hands, the quicker you’ll absorb the concepts.

The question becomes, do you want to use free online resources or pay for a course? There are pros and cons to both.

Free pros:

It’s free!
There are some really high quality free resources out there

Free cons:

There’s little continuity in your learning
You’ll always have to scavenge for more lessons
The instructors aren’t necessarily vetted
Codealong files might not be available

Paid pros:

You can find lots of “Complete guide to Python” courses
Instructors go through a vetting process — you’ll often be taught by senior professionals
You can keep an organized log of what courses you’ve done
Codealong files are generally available with each course, so you can easily follow along with the instructor

Paid cons:

Prices can be prohibitive
Quality of instruction is still not guaranteed

There is a dizzying amount of learning resources available online to help you get started with Python. The choice is really up to you. Youtube has lots of Python learning content, and you can search Google for endless articles on coding lessons. Free Code Camp is another free resource where you can take dozens of Python courses.

If you’re willing to pay a bit of money for a Python course, these platforms can help you out:

3. Take an in person course

Some people find they learn more effectively if they’re being taught in a classroom by a real live teacher. You get a tangible sense of community by undertaking a class with your fellow students. And you can stop the teacher and ask questions whenever you want, which can’t be said for online courses.

Coding schools are popping up in every postal code, so a quick Google search should find you plenty of options. You can also try Course Compare, an online directory that shows which schools are teaching programming languages in major Canadian cities. This directory is not exhaustive however, so it’s good to do your own research to find out if there are other schools near you that are offering better deals.

The benefit of an in person course is increased accountability. With a teacher present, it’s hard to get distracted by social media or errands that can get in the way of at home learning. There are cons too: the time it takes to commute to your school, mixed experience levels amongst your classmates, and less choice of what you’ll study day by day. Still, it’s helpful to devote yourself to learning in a classroom, especially if you want to make Python part of your career.

4. Do projects

Programming theory is all very abstract until you put it into practice. The best way to do that is to pick a project!

A project keeps you accountable, and gives you opportunities for trial and error learning. There’s no other way to improve your baseline skills than to take the plunge and create your first application.

Automate The Boring Stuff With Python is a classic in the programming world. Lots of full-fledge Python developers started by checking off the tasks in this free ebook. It covers projects like scheduling tasks, sending emails, and working with various files like PDFs and CSVs.

If you’re interested in data science, why not try a data analysis project with Python? Check out this article for a list of free datasets. Data science projects start with a hypothesis, data analysis, and then conclusion. It’ll be a great star on your resume if you draw any interesting findings as a new programmer.

What about a Guess the number game? A huge part of programming is creating loops to repeat actions over and over. This game uses a lot of essential programming concepts, which will help you sharpen your skills.

Check out this article for five mini projects you can take on as a beginner Python programmer. Try to do as much as you can yourself, without looking for solutions online.

5. Form the habit

Most people have big plans to learn languages, go to the gym, attend a seminar…but they never fulfill their goal because they don’t make lifestyle adjustments. Learning Python is no different. Plenty of people want to learn this language, but never get past the idea of “one day”.

Altering your habits — say, from sleeping in on Sunday morning to getting up and doing three hours of tutorials — requires rewarding yourself for the desired change. Give yourself a pat on the back, an extra ten minutes in the bathtub, two helpings of dessert, whatever floats your boat.

Be gentle with yourself when you’re starting out. After all, we all know nothing when we’re just beginning something. Expecting to make mistakes can be helpful for having realistic expectations, and being proud of any progress you make.

As the saying goes, if you fail to plan then you plan to fail. Put time in your calendar to study Python, and don’t cheat! It takes repetition for an action to become a habit. By being consistent, your brain will get used to gearing up for a class and focusing the whole way through. You’ll also progress with your Python knowledge much quicker. Programming is like any new skill — it gets easier as you become more used to it.

Python is an amazing language to learn whether you’re new to programming, or you’re old hat. It’s relatively easy to learn, there’s great demand for it in the job market, and there’s a huge community to help you troubleshoot issues. Learning Python will make you feel accomplished, and give you a good foothold into the world of backend programming. Give it a try, and you’ll be hooked in no time!

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How to get started learning Python

Written by Girls in Tech Toronto

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