Getting Started with Python
Tags: python, programming, beginners
Published: 2021-09-13 17:12:51

Everyone’s journey of learning a programming language, or anything new for that matter is different. The beauty of Python is how easy it is to read and understand it whether you have experience in programming or not. I started learning Python last year and it became one of my favorite languages in no time! So, how should you get started with Python? Here are some of the things that worked for me.

#### 1.	Join some course on Python:
Although this is very subjective, I feel like following a course helps learn the language in a proper order. It’s easier to learn a programming language in a structured way. There are many paid and free courses out there to learn from. I have linked a few down below:
[Course on YouTube by freecodecamp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfscVS0vtbw)
[Course on Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-python-bootcamp/)
[Course on Coursera](https://www.coursera.org/specializations/python)

#### 2.	Don’t skip the basics:
This one is especially for those who are familiar with other programming languages. The syntax of Python is extremely easy and readable, and it is very tempting to skip through the basics. Python has a lot of features that you might miss on if you do. A code you have written in five lines might just need one or two. This may not seem like a lot, but it matters when you’re making larger projects.

#### 3.	Practice as you learn the concepts:
As I mentioned earlier, it is very easy to get carried away and not put in time in practicing every concept. But in order to achieve fluency in programming, it is crucial to practice the smallest of concepts, so you remember them when you need them. You do not need to remember everything, but it helps to explore the different features available. I would also suggest looking up the solutions to some exercises to find more efficient and innovative ways to solve a particular problem.  

#### 4.	What are you learning Python for?
Contrary to what most people think, Python can be used for a lot more than data science. There are lots of libraries and modules open sourced for various purposes. As you advance in the language, it is very helpful to acquaint yourself with those libraries and modules like Beautiful Soup for Web Development, PIL for Image and Video Manipulation, etc. It helps us understand what exactly we’re required to code and what is already available for us.

#### 5.	Make some fun projects!
Implementing all the concepts you have learnt is just as important as learning them. Exercises help us practice every concept separately but when you make projects, you learn how to put them all together and make something out of it. You could make games like tic-tac-toe, card games or as you go further, bigger projects too! This will give you the confidence that you can build something of your own.

Learning anything new is not easy and the journey is full of ups and downs. You might feel demotivated at some points but remember that we all do too! Some concepts might look daunting, break them into smaller concepts, look it up on the internet and give yourself time to absorb the concepts. 

I hope this gave you a brief idea on how to get started with one of the most popular programming languages right now!

Happy Coding! :))