How Can You Improve your Python skills?
By: Anupama Singh
Tags: Python Programming, Skills Development, Skills, Programming

Here are the few tips which can help you to improve your Python coding skills.

Tip #1: Code every day

Consistency is mandatory when you are learning any new programming language. I will recommend making a commitment to code every day without fail. Though it may seem a daunting task during the initial stage, so start from 25 minutes every day and then increase your timing slowly.

Tip #2: Write It Out

As a new programmer when you progress in your journey, you may think that whether you should continue making notes. I will say, yes! You should! In fact, research suggests that if you make notes by hand you will be benefitted for long-term retention. This will be especially useful for those programmers who are interested to become the full-time developer, as many interviews will involve writing code on a whiteboard.

Tip #3: Go Interactive!

Whether you learn about basic Python or debugging an application, the interactive Python shell will be one of your best learning tools. I use it a lot on my site too!

Tip #4: Take Breaks

When you are learning, it is important to step away and absorb the concepts. For example work for 30 minutes, take a short break, and then repeat the process. Taking breaks is important to have an effective study session, particularly when you are debugging or taking in a lot of new information. Step away from your computer, go for a walk, listen to music or chat with a friend.

Tip #5: Become a Bug Bounty Hunter

Talking of hitting a bug, it is very obvious and common when you start writing complex programs. It happens to all of us! Don’t frustrate. Instead, think of yourself as a bug bounty hunter and embrace these moments with pride. When debugging, it is mandatory to have a methodological approach to help you find where things are breaking down.

Tip #6: Surround Yourself With Others Programmers

Since coding is a solitary activity, but it does wonder when you work together. It is very important when you learn Python that you surround yourself with other Programmers or the beginners. This will allow you to share the tips and tricks you learn along the way.

Tip #7: Teach

It is said that teaching is one of the best ways to learn. This is absolutely true when you learn Python. There are many ways to do this: write blog posts where you can explain your newly learned concepts, record videos in which you can explain what you learned. These small-small things will solidify your understanding.

Tip #8: Pair Program

Pair programming is a technique where two developers( driver and navigators) work at one workstation to complete a task. The “driver” is the one who writes the code, while the “navigator” helps to reviews the code as it is written and guide the problem-solving.

Pair programming has a lot of benefits: it not only gives you the chance to review your code, but you understand other perception on the same program and how they solve it. These things will enhance your skills and make you a self-learner.

Tip #9: Ask “GOOD” Questions

When you are asking for help, its best to ask GOOD questions by following this acronym:

• G: Give context on what you are trying to do, describe the problems clearly.

• O: Outline the things which you have already tried to fix.

• O: Offer your best guess as to what the issues might be.

• D: Demo what’s happening. Include a traceback error message, the code, and error that you got.

A lot of time can be saved by using these GOOD questions. Skipping any one step can result in back-and-forth conversations that can cause conflict. As a new programmer, you want to make sure you ask good questions so that you practice communicating your thought process, and so that people who help you will be happy to continue helping you.

Tip #11: Contribute to Open Source

Contributing to an open-source Python project is a great way to learn and experience. There are many Python libraries that are open-source projects and take contributions, plus many companies publish their open-source projects, you can work with code written and add values to your learning experience.

Tips #12 Join online tutorials

Join any good online tutorial. It will help you a lot. Here I will recommend you to go with one of the best online tutorials and that is EDUONIX LEARNING SOLUTIONS, from where I have learned a lot of programming languages. They offer many courses in free and most of them are designed for beginners. this tutorial has worked really well for me. Hope it will do wonder to you as well.

Happy programming!