How to learn Python step by step
Even if you have the best Python tutorial in your hands, you may not get the most out of it if you don’t know the best way to learn Python. That is why we are going to talk about the process of learning Python step by step.
Step 1: Think about why you want to learn Python
Before you start something, you have to figure out why you want to do it in the first place. The same applies to learning Python. There must be some goal that keeps you motivated throughout this journey; otherwise, it can be painful to go all the way.
Find out why Python interests you, whether you want to train or build a career as a Python developer. It can be data science, ML, AI, website building, apps and games, scripts for work automation, data analytics, web scraping, or anything else.
Once you have set your goal, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Understand the basics
Understand the basics of Python clearly and without hesitation. Learn the syntax, and fundamental aspects of the programming language such as variables, data types, functions, etc. The Python resources mentioned in this article will help you with this step.
However, it can be tedious if only the theory is reviewed. The key here is to practice and take breaks in between.
Write simple code on your own or through the examples given in the Python tutorial of your choice. Once you have completed the basics, you can move on to the advanced topics.
Step 3: Apply the knowledge in the projects
After the basic knowledge, try to carry out a project to put your knowledge into practice. Projects will unleash your potential and help you learn more while building a portfolio to showcase potential employers.
You can create structured projects on data science, ML, websites, mobile apps, games, automation scripts, etc. You’ll find plenty of resources for structured projects like Dataquest, the Scikit-learn documentation, the Bottle tutorial, Codecademy, Learning Robotics using Python, and Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, to name a few.
After completing the advanced topics, work on projects you create on your own. Use whatever resources are available, but work on what you want to do with Python.
By now, you should have learned how to find bugs and debug them. You can build on previous projects, find open-source platforms to contribute to, volunteer at nonprofits, contribute on GitHub, and more.
Step 4: Collaborate with others
Collaborating with other students and experts will help you expand your knowledge, discuss things, and learn tips and tricks to apply to your projects. You can meet them at various Python communities, forums, meetups, and events. Some examples are Stack Overflow, Python.org, Reddit, and Sololearn.
Step 5: Keep practicing
Learning is a continuous process. Therefore, after you have completed all the steps, always keep practicing what you have learned. Get in the game as a full-time Python developer or a part-time hobbyist to build Python projects across various industry verticals.
You just have to keep practicing!
Next, we will finally reveal the best Python tutorials of 2022.
Top 25 Free Tools and Resources to Learn Python
Our top 25 free Python resource picks are:
1. Python.org
If you’re looking for a free resource to learn Python, check out the official Python documentation at Python.org. It is useful for beginners and experienced developers as it covers a wide range of topics, from the most basic to the most advanced, all about Python programming.
- Provides a brief explanation of Python for beginners.
- Demonstrates how to install Python, the IDE, and the interpreters. You can read tutorials and experiment with the Python interpreter.
- Python.org offers a comprehensive guide to advanced topics for Python developers, from installing dependencies to style guides, writing code, tracking issues, troubleshooting, integration, continuous testing, and much more.
characteristic
- Course Type: Text-Based
- Prerequisites: None
- Certificate: Yes
- The tutorials are translated into 81 languages to help non-native English speakers learn Python more efficiently.
- Shows a complete list of the pages included in the Beginner’s Guide that you can download and read
- Makes learning fun with multiple exercises and quizzes. Also, check your Python style with the dynamic calculation of score and hints.
- Provides other references for learning Python, such as Codecademy, DataCamp, Dataquest, etc. .
In addition to tutorials and guides, you can access Python-related podcasts, informative videos, the latest events and news, the developer community, success stories, FAQs, and more.
2. Codecademy
One of the best sites on the Internet to learn Python for free is Codecademy. This e-learning platform offers many free and paid Python courses. Python 2 is a free course they offer, which is a useful introduction to the basics of programming and to Python.
They start with theory and then have students write Python code online using the concepts. The course has been taken by employees of NASA, IBM, Google, and Facebook, among others.
Some of the topics covered are:
- Python Syntax
- Python string and console output
- How to use control and conditional flow to write programs
- Python functions, loops, dictionaries, and lists of data structures
The best thing about this course is that all the exercises and lessons run directly in the browser; therefore, it is not necessary to install Python on the computer.
Codecademy also offers a free code editor that you can practice with while writing code. You can even join a forum to interact and discuss with other members.
characteristic
- Course Type: Video Based
- Duration to complete: 25 hours
- Certificate: You can get a certificate upon completion of the course with a PRO membership
- Prerequisites: None
