10 Essential Hints for Python Programming Beginners
I trust that the initial phase of learning any programming language is ensuring that you understand how to learn. Figuring out how to learn is apparently the most basic expertise associated with computer programming.
Why is knowing how to learn so critical? The answer is easy: as languages evolve, tools are upgraded and libraries are created. Knowing how to learn, thus, is a skill you will need for staying aware of these progressions and evolving into a successful programming developer.
Python is the fastest growing programming language in the world and in this article, I want to discuss a few learning techniques that will enable you to begin your journey of turning into a rockstar Python developer!
Python is the fastest growing programming language in the world and in this article, I want to discuss a few learning techniques that will enable you to begin your journey of turning into a rockstar Python developer!
Make It Stick
Here are a few tips and tricks that enable you to make the new ideas you are learning as a beginner developer truly stick:
Here are a few tips and tricks that enable you to make the new ideas you are learning as a beginner developer truly stick:
Hint #1: Code Each Day
Consistency is very crucial when you are mastering a new language. Make a promise to code every day. It might be difficult to accept, yet muscle memory has an expansive impact on programming. Focusing on coding each day will truly help build up that muscle memory. Despite the fact that it might appear to be overwhelming at first, consider beginning with as little as 25 minutes each day and working your way up from that point.
Hint #2: Write It Out
When you start learning Python as a new programmer, you may think about whether you ought to take notes. Indeed, you should! Research recommends that taking notes by hand is most useful for long-term recall. This will be particularly useful for those working towards the objective of turning into a full-time developer, as many interviews will include composing code on a paper/whiteboard.
When you start learning Python as a new programmer, you may think about whether you ought to take notes. Indeed, you should! Research recommends that taking notes by hand is most useful for long-term recall. This will be particularly useful for those working towards the objective of turning into a full-time developer, as many interviews will include composing code on a paper/whiteboard.
When you begin working on little tasks and projects, composing by hand can likewise enable you to design your code before you move to the PC. You can spare a lot of time if you work out which classes and functions you will require, and also how they will collaborate.
Hint #3: Go Interactive!
If you are beginner learning the basic Python data structures (lists, dictionaries, strings, etc.), or you are troubleshooting an application, the interactive Python shell will be one of your best learning devices.
If you are beginner learning the basic Python data structures (lists, dictionaries, strings, etc.), or you are troubleshooting an application, the interactive Python shell will be one of your best learning devices.
To utilize the interactive Python shell (likewise some of the time called as "Python REPL"), first ensure that Python is installed in your PC. To actuate the interactive Python shell, essentially open your terminal and run Python or Python 3 depending upon your installation.
Now that you know how to begin the shell, here are a couple of examples of how you can utilize the shell when you are learning:
Realize what tasks can be performed on a component by utilizing dir():
The components returned from dir() are all of the actions that you can apply to the component. Let’s take an example:
Note that we used the upper() strategy. Would you be able to perceive what it does? It makes the majority of the letters in the string uppercase!
Learn the type of a component:
Import libraries and play with them:
Execute shell commands:
Hint #4: Take Breaks
While learning, the most essential thing is to absorb the ideas or concepts. The Pomodoro Technique is broadly utilized and can enable you to: work for 25 minutes, enjoy a short break, and afterwards repeat the procedure. Taking breaks is vital to having a powerful study session, particularly when you are grasping the huge amount of new information.
Breaks are particularly essential when you are debugging. If you find a bug, and if you don’t know where the bug comes from, then take a break and then try after some time.
Hint #5: Become a Bug Bounty Hunter
Talking about hitting a bug, it is unavoidable once you begin composing complex programs that you will keep running into bugs in your code. It happens to every one of us! Try not to give bugs a chance to disappoint you. Rather, grasp these moments with pride and consider yourself a bug bounty hunter!
While debugging, it is essential to have a methodological approach to enable you to discover where things are going down. Once you get an idea where things may separate, embed the below program script into your code import pdb; pdb.set_trace() and then execute it. The programmer or debugger can execute through Command Line Interface Programming in Python -m pdb <my_file.py>.
Make It Collaborative
Collaboration is as important to development as it is for testing. No wonder a tool like Atlassian’s JIRA has gained such immense popularity because it facilitates effective collaboration between QA teams. Even the new age software designed for use by teams consider it a priority.When things begin to stick, facilitate your learning through a coordinated effort. Here are a few techniques to enable you to get the most out of working with others.
Hint #6: Encircle Yourself with Others Who Are Learning
Despite the fact that coding may appear as a single action, it really works best when you cooperate. It is critical that when you are figuring out how to code in Python, you encircle yourself with other individuals who are learning Python too. This will enable you to share the tricks and tips you discover along the way.
Try not to stress if you don't know anybody to collaborate. There are a lot of approaches to meet other people who are energetic about learning Python! Discover local Meetups or Events or join PythonistaCafe, a distributed learning network for Python enthusiasts!
Hint #7: Teach
It's common knowledge that the best way to research something is to teach it to someone. This holds true when you are learning Python. There are numerous approaches to do this and each one will solidify your understanding and additionally uncover any gaps in your comprehension.
• Whiteboarding with other Python lovers
• Composing blog entries clarifying recently learned ideas
• Recording videos in which you clarify something you learned
• Simply talking to yourself at your PC (trust me it works really well!)
Hint #8: Pair Program
Pair Programming is a system that includes two engineers working at one workstation to finish the task. The two programmers switch between being the "navigator" and the "driver." The "driver" composes the code, while the "navigator" helps control the critical thinking and surveys the code as it is composed. Change frequently to get the advantage of both sides.
Pair programming has numerous advantages: it allows you to have somebody audit your code, as well as perceive how another person may consider an issue in it. Being presented with numerous thoughts and mindsets will help you in critical thinking when you return to coding without anyone else.
Hint #9: Build Something, Anything
For beginners, there are numerous small exercises or practices that will truly enable you to get familiar with Python, and build up the muscle memory that we talked about above. When you have a strong handle on object-oriented programming, basic data structures (lists, sets, strings, dictionaries) and composing classes, it's a great opportunity to begin building!
The adventure of building is really what will help you learn the most. You can just gain such a great amount of knowledge from perusing Real Python articles and courses. You will gain most of the Python knowledge while building something using Python. The issues you will resolve will train you a great deal.
You can try to develop these applications using Python.
• Number guessing game
• Bitcoin Price Notification Service
• Simple calculator app
• Dice roll simulator
Hint #10: Contribute to Open Source
In open-source, programming source code is accessible freely, and anybody can work together. There are numerous Python libraries that are open-source undertakings and take commitments. Furthermore, numerous organizations distribute open-source ventures. This implies you can work with code composed and delivered by the architects working in these organizations. Adding to an open-source Python venture is an extraordinary method to gain profitable learning encounters.
Suppose you choose to present a bug fix request: you present a "pull request” for your fix to be entered into the code. Next, the project managers will audit your work, giving remarks and proposals. This will empower you to learn the best practices for Python programming and also work on speaking with different developers.
Final Thoughts..!
Since you have these strategies for learning Python, you can start your journey today! Python is the most popular language and it is turning into a more practical alternative option to different platforms. It is surely feasible to utilize Python for some logical and building calculations. Happy coding!
Write a comment
- Hima Bindhu November 28, 2018, 5:22 amNice article to beginners in python, Provided very useful information,Thanks for sharing such a nice article.......keep share morereply
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