Python is a high-level, dynamically-typed programming language that is widely used in a variety of industries, including web development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. It is known for its simplicity and readability, as well as its large and active community of users and developers. Python has a large standard library that provides built-in support for many common programming tasks, and it supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming. It is also dynamically-typed, meaning that variables can change type at runtime and do not need to be explicitly declared. Overall, Python is a popular and powerful language that is suitable for learners of all levels.
In this article, we will provide a chronological list of resources to help you learn Python from a complete beginner to an advanced level.
Step 1: Learn the basics of programming
Before diving into Python specifically, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of programming concepts. If you have no prior programming experience, you may want to start with an introductory course or tutorial that covers the fundamentals of programming. Some good options for beginners include:
1) “Introduction to Computer Science and Programming” by MIT OpenCourseWare: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-0001-introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-in-python-fall-2016/
2) “Learn to Code” by Codecademy: https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-to-code
3) “Learn to Program” by Chris Pine: https://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/ (This is a free online book that covers the basics of programming using Ruby, a programming language similar to Python. It is a good resource for those who want to learn programming concepts in a gentle and intuitive way.)
4) “Scratch” by MIT Media Lab: https://scratch.mit.edu/ (Scratch is a visual programming language developed by MIT that is designed for beginners. It is a great way to learn programming concepts and create simple programs without having to write any code.)
5) “Khan Academy Computer Programming” by Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming (This is a series of interactive tutorials that teach programming concepts using JavaScript, another programming language similar to Python. It is a good resource for those who want to learn programming in a fun and engaging way.)
6) “Programming Foundations with Python” by Udacity: https://www.udacity.com/course/programming-foundations-with-python–ud036 (This is a free online course that covers the basics of programming using Python. It is suitable for complete beginners and includes exercises and quizzes to help you practice what you have learned.)
7) “The Python Mega Course: Build 10 Real World Applications” by Ardit Sulce: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-python-mega-course/ (This is a paid online course that teaches Python programming through the development of 10 real-world projects. It is suitable for beginners and covers both basic and advanced concepts. It is a good resource for those who want to learn Python by building practical applications.)
Step 2: Learn Python syntax and data types
Once you have a basic understanding of programming concepts, you can start learning Python specifically. A good way to get started is to go through a tutorial or course that covers the basic syntax and data types in Python. Some options for learning the basics of Python include:
1) “Python Basics” by Codecademy: https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-python
2) “Python for Beginners” by SoloLearn: https://www.sololearn.com/Course/Python/
3) “Python Tutorial for Beginners” by W3Schools: https://www.w3schools.com/python/python_intro.asp
4) “Learn Python” by freeCodeCamp: https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/python-programming/ (This is a free online course that covers the basics of Python and includes interactive exercises to help you practice what you have learned. It is suitable for beginners.)
5) “Python for You” by Kaggle: https://www.kaggle.com/learn/python (This is a free online course that covers the basics of Python and includes interactive exercises to help you practice what you have learned. It is suitable for beginners.)
6) “A Whirlwind Tour of Python” by Jake VanderPlas: https://jakevdp.github.io/WhirlwindTourOfPython/ (This is a free online book that provides a quick introduction to the Python language. It covers the basics of Python syntax and data types and is suitable for beginners.)
7) “Python Tutor” by Philip Guo: https://pythontutor.com/ (This is a free website that allows you to visualize how Python code is executed. It is a helpful resource for understanding how Python works and is suitable for beginners.)
8) “Python Crash Course” by Eric Matthes: https://nostarch.com/pythoncrashcourse/ (This is a popular book that covers the basics of Python and includes exercises and projects to help you practice what you have learned. It is suitable for beginners.)
Step 3: Practice and build projects
Once you have learned the basics of Python, it is important to practice and apply your knowledge by building projects. This will help you solidify your understanding of the language and gain valuable experience. Some ideas for projects you can build as a beginner include:
- A simple calculator
- A to-do list app
- A basic game (e.g. Tic-Tac-Toe, Hangman)
There are many online resources and tutorials available that can help you build these types of projects. Some good options include:
1) “Python Projects for Beginners” by RealPython: https://realpython.com/python-projects-for-beginners/
2) “Python Practice Projects” by Python Morsels: https://www.pythonmorsels.com/
3) “Python Project Ideas” by Hackr.io: https://hackr.io/blog/python-project-ideas (This is a list of 20 project ideas that you can build in Python. The projects range from simple to advanced, and they include suggestions for what you can learn from each project.)
4) “Python Projects for Beginners” by GeeksforGeeks: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/python-project-ideas-for-beginners/ (This is another list of project ideas that you can build in Python as a beginner. The ideas are organized by difficulty level, and they include descriptions of what you can learn from each project.)
5) “Python Project Ideas” by Programiz: https://www.programiz.com/python-programming/project-ideas (This is a list of 25 project ideas that you can build in Python. The projects range from simple to advanced, and they include suggestions for what you can learn from each project.)
6) “Python Exercises, Practice, Solution” by W3Resource: https://www.w3resource.com/python-exercises/ (This is a collection of Python exercises that you can use to practice your skills. The exercises range from simple to advanced, and they include solutions so you can check your work.)
7) “Python Practice Problems” by HackerRank: https://www.hackerrank.com/domains/python (This is a collection of Python practice problems that you can use to improve your coding skills. The problems are organized by difficulty level, and they include explanations of how to solve each problem.)
Discover: How to Create a JARVIS with Python & Arduino using AI & ML
Step 4: Learn advanced concepts and libraries
Once you have a solid foundation in Python, you can start exploring more advanced concepts and libraries. Some topics you may want to learn about include object-oriented programming, functional programming, and data analysis with libraries like NumPy and pandas. Some resources for learning these advanced topics include:
1) “Advanced Python” by Codecademy: https://www.codecademy.com/learn/paths/computer-science/tracks/advanced-python/modules/advanced-python-concepts
2) “Python Data Science Handbook” by Jake VanderPlas: https://jakevdp.github.io/PythonDataScienceHandbook/
3) “Python for Data Science” by DataCamp: https://www.datacamp.com/courses/intro-to-python-for-data-science
4) Learn Python for Hacking: Learning Resources, Libraries, and Basic Steps: https://www.codelivly.com/learn-python-for-hacking/
5) “Python 3 Object-Oriented Programming” by Dusty Phillips: https://www.packtpub.com/application-development/python-3-object-oriented-programming (This is a book that covers object-oriented programming in Python in detail. It is suitable for intermediate to advanced learners who want to learn more about this programming paradigm.)
6) “Functional Python Programming” by Steven Lott: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/functional-python-programming/9781788392392/ (This is a book that covers functional programming in Python. It is suitable for intermediate to advanced learners who want to learn more about this programming paradigm and how to apply it in Python.)
7) “NumPy Quickstart Tutorial” by Dataconomy: https://www.dataconomy.com/2015/04/numpy-quickstart-tutorial/ (NumPy is a powerful library for scientific computing in Python. This tutorial provides a quick introduction to NumPy and is suitable for beginners.)
8) “10 Minutes to pandas” by pandas documentation: https://pandas.pydata.org/pandas-docs/stable/getting_started/10min.html (pandas is a popular library for data manipulation and analysis in Python. This tutorial provides a quick introduction to pandas and is suitable for beginners.)
9) “Python Data Science Handbook” by Jake VanderPlas: https://jakevdp.github.io/PythonDataScienceHandbook/ (This is a comprehensive resource that covers a wide range of data science topics in Python, including machine learning, visualization, and natural language processing. It is suitable for intermediate to advanced learners.)
Useful Blogs / Video courses / Youtube Channels / Android Apps / Books
Here are some additional resources for learning Python, organized by type:
Blogs:
1. RealPython: https://realpython.com/
2. Python Tips: https://pythontips.com/
3. Python for Beginners: https://www.pythonforbeginners.com/
Video courses:
1. Python for Everybody (University of Michigan): https://www.coursera.org/specializations/python
2. Python 3 Programming Specialization (University of Toronto): https://www.coursera.org/specializations/python-3-programming
3. Complete Python Bootcamp (Udemy): https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-python-bootcamp/
Youtube channels:
1. Corey Schafer (Python tutorials and explanations): https://www.youtube.com/user/schafer5
2. Sentdex (Python tutorials and explanations): https://www.youtube.com/user/sentdex
3. Derek Banas (Python tutorials and explanations): https://www.youtube.com/user/derekbanas
Android apps:
1. SoloLearn: Learn to Code (Python tutorials and exercises): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sololearn&hl=en_US
2. Learn Python (Python tutorials and exercises): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sololearn.python&hl=en_US
Books:
1. “Python Crash Course” by Eric Matthes: https://nostarch.com/pythoncrashcourse (This is a beginner-friendly book that covers the basics of Python and helps you build practical projects.)
2. “Python Tricks: The Book” by Dan Bader: https://www.amazon.com/Python-Tricks-Buffet-Awesome-Features/dp/1775093301 (This is a book that covers advanced Python concepts and is suitable for intermediate to advanced learners.)
3. “Fluent Python” by Luciano Ramalho: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/fluent-python/9781491946237/ (This is a book that covers a wide range of advanced Python topics and is suitable for experienced Python developers.)
Why Python
There are many reasons why Python is a popular programming language, particularly for beginners. Here are a few reasons why you might consider learning Python:
It is easy to read and learn: Python has a simple and straightforward syntax, which makes it easy to read and understand. This makes it a great language for beginners who are new to programming.
It is versatile: Python can be used for a wide range of purposes, including web development, data analysis, scientific computing, and artificial intelligence. This means that you can use Python to build a wide variety of applications and projects.
It has a large and supportive community: Python has a large and active community of users and developers, which means that there are many resources available for learning and getting help with Python. There are also many Python libraries and frameworks available that can make it easier to build projects and solve common problems.
It has good job prospects: Python is a popular language in the tech industry, and there is a high demand for Python developers. According to the 2020 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, Python is the third most popular programming language overall and the most popular language in the data science and machine learning fields.
Where is Python Used
Python is a versatile and widely used programming language, and it has a number of applications in different fields. Some examples of where Python is used include:
Web development: Python has several frameworks and libraries available for web development, such as Django and Flask. These frameworks make it easy to build and deploy web applications.
Data analysis and scientific computing: Python has several libraries and tools available for working with data, such as NumPy, pandas, and matplotlib. These libraries are popular in fields such as finance, scientific research, and data analysis.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Python has several libraries and frameworks available for machine learning and artificial intelligence, such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and Keras. These libraries make it easy to build and train machine learning models in Python.
Automation and system administration: Python has a number of libraries and tools available for automating tasks and working with system administration, such as Ansible and Fabric.
Desktop applications: Python can be used to build cross-platform desktop applications using frameworks like PyQt and PyGTK.
Games: Python can be used to build simple games using libraries like Pygame.
These are just a few examples of where Python is used. It is a flexible and powerful language that can be used in a wide range of applications.
FAQ
Q: Is Python a good language for beginners?
A: Yes, Python is a great language for beginners. It has a simple and easy-to-read syntax, which makes it easy to learn and understand. There are also many resources available for learning Python, including online tutorials, video courses, and books.
Q: Can Python be used for web development?
A: Yes, Python can be used for web development. There are several frameworks available in Python that make it easy to build web applications, such as Django and Flask. Python is also used in the backend of many popular websites and web applications.
Q: Can Python be used for data analysis?
A: Yes, Python is a popular language for data analysis and scientific computing. It has several libraries and tools available for working with data, including NumPy, pandas, and matplotlib.
Q: Can Python be used for artificial intelligence and machine learning?
A: Yes, Python has several libraries and frameworks available for machine learning and artificial intelligence, such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and Keras. These libraries make it easy to build and train machine learning models in Python.
Q: Is Python a compiled or interpreted language?
A: Python is an interpreted language, which means that it is executed by an interpreter rather than being compiled into machine code. This makes Python programs easy to write and debug, but they may not be as efficient as programs written in compiled languages.
Q: How is Python different from other programming languages?
A: Python is a high-level, dynamically-typed programming language that is widely used in a variety of industries. It is known for its simplicity and readability, as well as its large and active community of users and developers. Some other notable characteristics of Python include:
- It has a large standard library that provides built-in support for many common programming tasks, such as connecting to web servers, reading and writing files, and handling data.
- It supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming.
- It has a strong emphasis on readability and simplicity, with a philosophy of “there should be one– and preferably only one –obvious way to do it.”
- It has a dynamically-typed, meaning that variables can change type at runtime and do not need to be explicitly declared.
Q: What are some common misconceptions about Python?
A: Some common misconceptions about Python include:
- Python is only used for small scripts and is not suitable for larger, more complex projects. (This is not true. Python is a powerful and versatile language that is used in a wide range of applications, including large web applications and scientific simulations.)
- Python is slow compared to other languages. (This is not necessarily true. While Python is not as fast as some compiled languages, it can be used efficiently in many cases. Additionally, there are tools available in Python that can help optimize performance, such as PyPy and Cython.)
- Python is not suitable for mobile development. (This is not true. While Python is not as commonly used for mobile development as some other languages, it is possible to build mobile apps in Python using tools like Kivy and Pyqt.)
- Python is only used by beginners. (This is not true. While Python is a great language for beginners, it is also used by many experienced developers and is popular in industries such as finance, scientific computing, and data analysis.)
The Bottom Line
In summary, Python is a powerful and versatile programming language that is suitable for learners of all levels. It has a simple and easy-to-read syntax, which makes it a great choice for beginners, and it is also used in a wide range of industries, including web development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. There are many resources available for learning Python, including online courses, video tutorials, and books, and there is a large and supportive community of Python users and developers. Whether you are just starting out as a programmer or are an experienced developer looking to learn a new language, Python is a great choice.
About This Article
This article provides a chronological list of resources to help you learn Python from a complete beginner to an advanced level. It covers the basics of programming, Python syntax and data types, and advanced concepts and libraries. The article also includes links to various online courses, tutorials, and projects that can help you learn Python at each stage of your journey. The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide for those who are interested in learning Python, whether they are just starting out as a programmer or are an experienced developer looking to learn a new language.
