How I Learned Python in a Day
After several hours of headaches and questioning reality, I finally felt that I had learned Python.
I have been interested in learning this language for quite some time, with no intention of diving into data science or AI. Having heard Python is an easier language compared to others I’ve learned, like C and C++, I had initially given myself a week learning period but eventually learnt it in a day.
Here are few steps I took to achieve this:
- I read about the language — I learned about its features, uses and applications. Knowing that Python is a dynamically typed and object-oriented language made learning more straightforward.
- I watched a Python tutorial on YouTube — No! I didn’t watch a video of hours’ duration. Do people even watch those? I got a 20-minute Python crash course video, which I watched at 1.25x and 1.5x speed at some points. It covered topics like comments, data types, lists, conditional statements, loops, functions, and more.
- Research and extensive reading — The crash course served as an introduction, but I knew I needed more. With the help of ChatGPT, I compared Python’s syntax with that of Kotlin, as the main difference between languages is syntax. I also used the Rapt ‘N Rel Python documentation.
- Practice — I replicated several basic projects I had previously done in other languages, incorporating the concepts I had learned.
At around 11pm, after numerous attempts, debugging and questioning my life choices because of Python, I felt that tingle, and it was at that moment I knew I was no longer a beginner. Okay, that wasn’t how I knew. I had successfully replicated several basic projects that I had previously completed in other languages. I obviously haven’t learned everything about Python but I can say I’m no longer a beginner. I can finally participate in conversations involving Python!
To summarize, the more languages you learn, the faster and easier it becomes to learn newer ones. For instance, Python felt familiar to me because of my experience with Kotlin. As you learn, it is important to understand the concepts.
In the near future, I could get my hands on complex python projects and see what great things I can build with it.
