4 things I want someone to tell me before learning Python

A common mistake for Python learners is taking everything too seriously. Of course, you need to master the core concepts and practice to gain proficiency. But you do not need to be perfect in every detail.  In this article, I will share with you what you need to worry about and, more importantly, what you don’t need to.

you don’t need to be excellent before building something awesome

Learning programming sounds terrible for many. You may think that you have to practice for 100 hours to gain proficiency and finally become a geek. Actually, Learning Python is like learning a new sport. You need to practice to be a professional. However, you can play after several hours of training.

It may be a bit counterintuitive. As Python is a very elegant and succinct language, some useful programs, such as a program to automatically download files from the internet, may only consist of several lines of code. Therefore, you can rapidly leverage the power of programming.

you don’t need to memorize everything

Just like a typical language, Python is full of syntax. You may be a bit overwhelmed by ideas like data types and their operations. Yes, you need to understand the syntax before you can write a program. Luckily, you don’t need to memorize everything. Even experienced Python programmers could not memorize everything, they just know where to find the solutions and references. This is exactly what you need to learn: understand the core ideas, know where the references are.

the best weapon is not the best starting point

When I started learning Python, I always read the discussions about what tools people recommend. For example, some people said Vim is the best editor for programmers, while others said beginners should start with Jupyter Notebook. Now, I think I spent too much time struggling with this topic. Most tools I can find in the discussion forum are reasonably good; they don’t make a huge difference for a beginner.

More importantly, the best tool may not be a good fit for a learner. I use PyCharm as my IDE for development but I don’t think it worth your time to learn its powerful functionalities at the very beginning. Forget about the optimal route, settle for the most comfortable way.

don’t worry too much about the first language you learn

Another topic I spent too much time worrying about is which language to learn. Every language has its limit. It is difficult to decide which language is the best fit for your career, especially when you are not very well informed as a newbie. Even Python has its limit: it is good at data analytics and data science but not front-end development.

I was released when I realized how easy it is to learn a second language. Programming languages share similar concepts. So, simply choose the programming language which is powerful enough and easy to learn. Python is definitely your best choice.

Next Step

I hope this article can release you from the tension. Learning programming is not as difficult as you may imagine. With suitable guidance, everyone can be a decent programmer in about 50 hours of training. MasterPython is your good friend in the learning journey. We design the courses in a way that reduces the irrelevant details and lets you focus on the things that really matter.