Critical differences in the learning process of children and adults lie in two aspects. The first is motivation: adult learners must clearly understand their educational goals and outcomes. The second is the speed of applying new knowledge. Adults are eager to learn when they know the acquired knowledge can be used immediately.
However, if you're trying to learn programming, it's important to accept that quick results are unlikely. But there is a way to make the learning process so exciting and effective that the "delayed application" of new skills won't disappoint you. The main thing in learning programming is to choose the best method and set of resources that work for you.
In this post, we'll help you determine the best way to learn Python that suits you personally. Let's discover your learning options. We'll start with the sources for rookies with zero coding experience and gradually move to the ways to enhance your Python knowledge after you grasp the fundamentals and become somewhat confident in programming.
#1 Online Courses and Tutorials
This is a good option for those who need a structured program in their learning, with a clear plan from the beginning. You can start learning Python using this type of source if you prefer self-paced learning and material presented "without fluff," allowing for step-by-step mastery. Online courses often include videos, quizzes, and projects to help you practice what you learn.
Meanwhile, online tutorials adhere to the traditional learning framework, a "dry" textual presentation with examples plus exercises to reinforce the material.
Recommended for Python Learners:
The Python Tutorial: this tutorial is from the official Python website. It will help you get acquainted with Python's programming basics firsthand.
Pros: concise presentation of the material, examples, consideration of the features of the current version of Python, official source.
Cons: lack of practice, plus the presentation may be difficult for students without programming experience.
Cost: free.
Python tutorial at Tutorialspoint: one of the most popular platforms for self-paced learning with a well-structured program.
Pros: it allows you to grasp the basics and dive into advanced concepts; it includes small tasks in the embedded online compiler, where you can write and run your coding solution. Also, it offers additional sources that cover programming best practices, interview questions, etc.
Cons: the lack of real-life application, like writing serious coding projects, and lack of community support.
Cost: free (plus a paid certification with a bundle of online Python courses for different application areas).
Python courses at Coursera: might be one of the best online collections of Python courses for learners with various levels of programming knowledge.
Pros: a wide selection of courses with flexible schedules and an option to start your learning immediately and learn what you need. From basics to advanced programming, and specific frameworks. These courses often include certifications, video lectures, and tasks (and provide some support).
Cons: it may be tricky to structure your learning program and stay motivated.
Cost: monthly or annual subscription, paid professional and mastery programs.
#2 Books
Books are great for acquiring theoretical knowledge from experienced gurus who know how to explain programming in general and nuances. Reading books will definitely boost your knowledge. However, remember that you need to code to become proficient and call yourself a true programmer.
Ideal for beginners who want to get up and running quickly. The hands-on projects, like creating games and web apps, are well-structured and offer a solid practical foundation. It's well-organized and doesn't overwhelm the reader with excessive theory.
However, if you're an experienced developer, you might find the depth lacking. It's very beginner-focused and doesn't cover more advanced Python topics like asynchronous programming, testing, or optimization strategies.
It’s practical for automating mundane tasks and offers clear, real-world use cases. Even for experienced developers, it can be a nice refresher on how Python excels in automation. Working through the examples is fun and can be directly applied to workflow improvements.
On the other hand, it barely scratches the surface when it comes to Python's power as a general-purpose language or advanced topics like performance tuning or complex data structures. If you're beyond beginner-level, it might feel too basic.
This book is a goldmine for developers. It dives deep into Python's core, covering advanced features like metaprogramming, descriptors, and Python's data model in a way that helps you write idiomatic and highly efficient code. It's also up to date with modern Python features like async programming.
However, it is quite dense, and if you're not already comfortable with Python, the level of detail can be overwhelming. It's best approached with a solid foundational understanding already in place.
You'll appreciate the concise, practical advice on writing better Python code. Slatkin focuses on the "why" behind Python's best practices, which is essential for improving code maintainability and performance. The book's 90+ tips are precise, and many are geared toward experienced developers looking to refine their skills.
But remember that it doesn't delve into foundational concepts, making it unsuitable for beginners. Also, it's less project-oriented, so those looking for hands-on exercises might find it lacking in that department.
Written by the creator of Pandas, this is a must-read for any developer diving into data analysis or data science with Python. It covers essential libraries like Pandas and NumPy in detail, which are crucial for data wrangling and analysis.
All in all, it's very domain-specific. The material can feel overly narrow if your focus isn't data science or analytics. It also assumes familiarity with Python, so it's not ideal for beginners.
#3 Interactive Coding Platforms
These platforms offer interactive lessons where you can practice coding directly in your browser. It's like playing a video game where you level up your skills by solving coding puzzles and completing exercises. You'll get instant feedback on your code, which helps you learn faster.
If you learn from books and tutorials, consider adding coding platforms to enforce your coding practice. The perfect ratio in learning programming is to dedicate 20% of the time to theory and 80% to practice.
Practice Python is a great platform for beginners that offers a collection of Python exercises targeted at rookies learning the basics of Python.
Pros: the exercises cover different topics, from basic syntax to built-in data structures, f-Strings, and error handling. They are categorized by difficulty levels and provide solutions.
Cons: the list of exercises is relatively short, and you'll need other sources for extensive coding practice.
Edabit offers various programming challenges for multiple languages, including Python. Its gamified approach to learning will boost your motivation.
Pros: a broader set of tasks compared to the previous source and convenient navigation that allows you to choose the difficulty level of tasks and specific tags (topics in which you'd like to gain coding practice). Coding check, additional sources, and comments section for every task.
Cons: as with many coding platforms, you should know precisely what you need to practice.
PYnative: a dedicated platform for Python learners that offers exercises, which you can solve in an online coding editor, quizzes, and tutorials.
Pros: covers the much-needed Python basics, object-oriented programming, working with databases, JSON, etc. Easy navigation. Provides both hints for learners and the correct solutions.
Cons: rather small range of choices. Remember, you need to practice a lot!
#4 YouTube Tutorials
Many free videos break down Python concepts in a simple and visual way, making it great for beginners. Whether you want to learn the basics, build projects, or dive into something specific like data science, there's probably a YouTube video for that.
Hint: look for tutorials with good reviews and recent upload dates for the best results, as Python changes over time. Pause and code along with the instructor — don't just watch. It's also helpful to replay tricky parts to make sure you understand everything.
Pros: free, high-quality content in different languages, appealing to visual learners.
Cons: it might be misleading or create an illusion of your actual programming knowledge. So, remember to balance watching with hands-on coding to retain what you've learned.
Recommended for Python Learners:
Python Tutorials by Freecodecamp: a trusted source with plenty of in-depth and non-boring Python tutorials. Covers beginner and intermediate topics as well as advanced Python programming.
Tech with Tim: a YouTube channel with a strong focus on Python and JavaScript, where you can find numerous programming tutorials and Python projects.
Python Tutorials on Programming with Mosh: a channel of the software engineer with over 20 years of experience that provides tutorials suitable for newbies.
The Ultimate Python Course at Code With Harry. This is a well-structured video course with a bonus: you can find the source code and other sources on Harry's website.
Python for Beginners at Telusko: programming tutorials from beginner to advanced level covering different programming languages like Python, Java, Kotlin, Scala, and C.
#5 Bootcamps
Programming bootcamps are intense, structured programs that guide you through coding step by step. It's an immersive, intensive way to master Python programming. Bootcamps often have experienced instructors, interactive lessons, and real-world projects to help you practice what you've learned. Many are focused on career training, for example, for the role of data scientist or software engineer.
Pros of learning at bootcamps:
very detailed and structured training program
the high level of support during your learning by instructors and peers
great coding projects, which can be a valuable addition to your portfolio
fixed learning schedule (for those who struggle with self-paced learning)
by far — the highest ratio of course completion AND acquiring programming skills compared to other learning options
certification
highly suitable for learning with no prior experience in programming
diverse learning program (live or pre-recorded lessons with a mentor, mentorship support, lectures, tasks, coding projects, and individual tracking of your progress)
Cons:
costly option (however, many bootcamps offer flexible payment installments)
time-consuming (you need to devote at least 8-10 hours to learning weekly)
non-flexible schedule
1. Python Fullstack Software Engineer at CodeGym University
Average Rating at Course Report: 4.43
This bootcamp is designed for beginners in Python programming who want to learn the Python language and become a Fullstack Software Engineer. Therefore, the program includes modules dedicated to full-stack and web development, backend frameworks (Django), the basics of working with Docker and SQL, API & REST, and Flask & FAST API.
The training takes place in groups with a mentor. Live sessions are held twice a week, after which students have time to review additional text lessons and solve tasks. The program consists of five modules, with two projects written during each module.
The outcome of the training is mastering the Python Fullstack Software Engineer profession (or gaining a foundation for other occupations, including Data Scientist and DevOps) and developing a portfolio of personal projects on GitHub.
Benefits:
the schedule that allows students to combine training with work
project-based approach and an enormous amount of coding practice
modern training program that helps students acquire market-relevant skills
community and mentor's support
certification
job center for helping with finding a job after graduation
Duration: 12 months, two live sessions per week.
Price: $_?__.
Average Rating at Course Report: N/A
This boot camp teaches how to build applications from scratch using Python, SQL, and APIs. The curriculum includes mastering critical programming tools like GitHub and Visual Studio, learning backend engineering and building software for automation, and mastering Python app integration with RESTful APIs.
Benefits:
self-paced version available
guidance and personalized support
1:1 weekly meetings with mentor
specialized career tracks
certification upon completion
project-based approach
Duration: three months at 10-20 hours per week.
Price: $899 monthly to access an intensive, mentor-led program. The rate for a three-month intensive program is $2499.
Average Rating at Course Report: 4.3
A program for complete beginners that offers an insightful introduction to Python programming fundamentals. During this course, students learn about the applications of Python, discover Python programming concepts, and solve coding exercises. Despite being focused on the basics, this bootcamp allows you to build a portfolio with real-world projects.
Benefits:
short-term learning
practice with projects
beginner-friendly
Duration:10 weeks of evening learning or an intensive one-week course.
Price: $3,950.
Average Rating at Course Report: 4.62
This bootcamp is designed to help students kickstart careers in data science. The curriculum includes learning the Python data science stack, machine learning, including Python libraries for this purpose, and software engineering for data science.
Benefits:
career-focused
job guarantee
personal mentor
Duration: 6 months at 15-20 hours per week.
Price: $9,900 – $11,340.
Average Rating at Course Report: 4.62
The training program covers algorithms, data structures, networking, and databases. The students master Python and JavaScript, dive into full-stack architecture, and build web applications using Python, HTML/CSS, and Django. The curriculum also includes building distributed applications and managing large amounts of data.
Benefits:
live classes with an intensive schedule (online lessons for 9 hours a day for nine consecutive days, with a day off on the 10th day)
Duration: 19 weeks at 40 – 60 hours per week.
Price: $17,980.
Preliminary Comparison of the Best Learning Options for Python Beginners
Congrats! You've hit the halfway point in exploring all the different ways to learn Python. Let's take a moment to sum things up and compare the options we've covered so far that are best for programming beginners. Save this table and return to it when you're ready to dive into Python development.
Characteristic
Online Tutorials
Online Self-Paced Courses
Books
Coding Platforms
Bootcamps
Cost
Free/Low-cost
$20-$200
$20-$50
Free-$50/month
$500-$20,000
Time Commitment
Flexible
4-12 weeks
Flexible
Flexible
2-12 months, at least 8-12 hours a week
Learning Style
Visual/Interactive
Structured
Text-based
Hands-on
Immersive
Support/Community
Limited
Mentor/Forums
Limited
Active Forums
High Support
Certification
Rare
Certificates
None
Badges
Certificates
Practical Experience
Basic Exercises
Projects/Assignments
Exercises
Real-world Projects
Intensive Projects
Flexibility
High
Moderate
High
High
Low
Outcome
Mastery of Python fundamentals + experience with coding
In-depth theoretical knowledge
Experience in Python coding
Python proficiency / Ready to pursue a career that requires Python knowledge
This will help you make an informed decision in choosing the first (and major) source for your Python learning experience.
But as you may already guessed, mastering Python is limitless. Continuous learning is best for those who dream of becoming coding gurus.
Now, let's review more options for leveling up in Python programming. The listed options imply that you already have at least the basic knowledge of Python and some experience in coding.
#6 Online Documentation
Think of online documentation as a giant instruction manual for Python that explains how everything works from the people who created it. It can help you understand how different commands, functions, and libraries work. It's like having a reference guide for every question you might have!
Pros: if you have extensive prior programming experience, learning with official online documentation is the best way to master Python.
Cons: if you're a newbie, don't let it intimidate you. Please avoid it for a while and start your learning journey with something simpler, like tutorials, courses, or bootcamps.
Try looking up things you don't understand while coding to get the most out of it. Start with small sections, like learning how a specific function works, and build from there. Sites like docs.python.org are your best friends when you're stuck.
#7 Coding Challenges and Competitions
These are like puzzles or races where you solve problems using code. Competing against others or even just against yourself helps you learn how to solve problems faster and better.
To get the most out of coding challenges, start small. Pick easier challenges first to build your confidence, then gradually try harder ones. It's also super helpful to look at how others solved the problem once you're done — you can learn some cool new tricks that way.
Recommended for Python Learners:
Codewars: a platform with coding challenges, or "kata," for different programming languages. They will help you practice with data structures and algorithms, design patterns, dynamic programming and memorization, and functional programming. The challenges have difficulty levels and ranks.
Py.CheckiO: a gaming platform where you can solve tasks and go through the solutions of other users. You can choose the difficulty level (easy, normal, advanced), start a game, and complete missions while leveling up your Python knowledge.
LeetCode: a great place to improve your coding skills and prepare for technical interviews if your ultimate goal of learning Python is to secure a job as a Python developer / Data Scientist, etc.
#8 Local and Online Communities
Joining local and online programming communities can help you examine your qualifications more thoroughly, make valuable connections, and stay current with the latest programming trends and updates.
Ask questions, get advice, share your projects, and even help others when you feel ready!
The Most Popular Python Online Communities
Python.org: The official website that hosts a comprehensive list of Python resources, documentation, and community links.
Real Python: a website offering tutorials, articles, and a community forum focused on Python programming.
Reddit (r/Python): a popular subreddit where Python enthusiasts share news, projects, and discussions.
Talk Python to Me: a podcast and community focused on Python developers and their stories.
Python Discord: a large and active community on Discord where Python developers can chat, share resources, and help each other.
Biggest Communities About Programming in General
Stack Overflow: the largest and most well-known Q&A site for developers, covering all programming languages and topics.
GitHub: a platform for hosting and collaborating on code repositories. It includes a vast community of developers contributing to open-source projects.
Reddit (r/programming): a subreddit for general programming news, discussions, and questions.
Dev.to: a community of developers sharing articles, tutorials, and discussions on various programming topics.
Bonus: offline meetups
Local Python programming enthusiasts' communities at Meetup: you can find communities in your city here.
Creating Python projects that interest you, like a simple game, a to-do list app, or even a chatbot, will help you become a real programmer quickly. When you build projects, you're not just reading or watching tutorials — you're using what you've learned to solve real problems. It's like learning to ride a bike; you won't get better until you practice!
The big plus is that you'll learn faster by doing hands-on work. You'll also be more motivated because you're creating something you care about. Also, by the end, you'll have a cool project to show off.
However, the tricky part is that building projects can sometimes be frustrating. You might get stuck or need help figuring out where to start. Don't give up — every mistake teaches you something new, and you'll get better and more confident with each project.
Pair programming is when two people work on code together at the same time, usually with one person typing (called the "driver") and the other reviewing the code (called the "observer"). This can be a game-changer because you learn from each other, catch mistakes faster, and solve problems as a team.
Not gonna lie to you; many programmers hate pair coding, but in certain companies, it's a common practice, especially in getting the rookies on board and familiarizing them with the "local" best practices and rules in coding. Of course, you can practice pair programming while you are learning.
Another excellent way to boost your programming is mentorship. Having a more experienced Python programmer guide you can save you time, help you avoid common pitfalls, and push you to improve faster. The challenge? Finding a mentor who has time, but when you do, it's worth it.
Hint: you can use Codementor or Mentorcruise to have one-on-one sessions with experienced Python mentors.
Wrap up
So, what's the best way to learn Python quickly and effectively in 2024? With so many online resources and approaches available today, becoming proficient in programming has never been easier.
If you're a total newbie, that's okay: you don't have to be a math genius to master programming. What matters is the learning approach that fits your preferences, ultimate goals, and time available for studying.
As we've highlighted, the top options for beginners are bootcamps and online courses, which you can easily pair with other learning methods. Whatever option you choose, remember that coding practice is key — nothing beats hands-on experience.
Ready to dive in? You can start learning Python with CodeGym and take the first step toward mastering your coding skills and kickstarting a new, promising career just a year from today!
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