1. Clarify why you want to learn Python#
I tend to get a lot of emails and comments on my YouTube channel that are some
variation of:
I want to learn Python. Please teach me!
While I commend the enthusiasm, my follow-up question is almost always
Well, why do you want to learn Python?
Python, like any programming language, is a tool. You generally don’t see
people walking into the hardware store saying:
I want to learn the hammer. Please teach me!
Generally, one learns a tool as a means to an end to build something. The outcome is the goal. Learning
Python is no different. It is also much easier to stay motivated and consistent if the reason you’re
learning how to use a tool gets you closer to building whatever it is you want
to use the tool to build.
Practicing different hammer swings and hammer techniques will only be so
interesting for so long if you have nothing to directly apply the swings to. In
the same way, working on programming drills and practice problems will only be
so helpful for a brief period of time before you may ask yourself what value
learning this skill is adding to your life.
You ideally want to adopt the
Python programming language into your arsenal to solve a problem. And Python can solve many problems. It’s a versatile language that can be used for all kinds of programming needs, everything from web development to gaming to machine learning. Understanding your end goal will help you learn Python in a more focused, project-oriented way.
So, do you want to use Python as a tool to build websites? Perhaps looking into the
Django framework would serve you well. Do you
want to leverage the tools in the Python community for exploring a question in
your research area? Perhaps searching existing open-source Python projects on
GitHub will guide your focus to projects that are solving problems that you
find interesting and engaging.
These are some of the questions that you may
want to ask yourself to clarify your goals and outcome objectives.