How can I get good at python?

10

Hey guys,
I want to get good at python because I want to study CS at top unis like cambridge and imperial. (I am in y12 and i dont study CS a level). I have a grasp on the basics but I am struggling to improve a lot. I want to get to a stage where I can start to make projects of my own that arent really basic. Does anyone know any good techniques or resources to self learn python based on their own experiences?

Thanks

Reply 1

De Montfort University

Official Rep

17

Original post

by akashDTV

Hey guys,
I want to get good at python because I want to study CS at top unis like cambridge and imperial. (I am in y12 and i dont study CS a level). I have a grasp on the basics but I am struggling to improve a lot. I want to get to a stage where I can start to make projects of my own that arent really basic. Does anyone know any good techniques or resources to self learn python based on their own experiences?
Thanks

Hi there,

Some of the resources you could use:
1) Brett Slatkin - Effective Python (I have second edition, but maybe there are fresher ones).
2) ChatGPT for some small too specific things / fixes that you might not know where to look for. Like "Explain regex patterns in detail" type of questions.
3) Python has a huge community, so if you have a question - it's more than likely already discussed somewhere on the web, just google it :smile:

The best way to learn Python is by using it. The more you code - the better you become. Try creating following small projects:
A) To learn JSON, HTTP requests and APIs you can try to create a python script that looks for definition of a word using free dictionary API like this one https://dictionaryapi.dev/
B) To learn Web Apps, APIs, and some HTML, try creating a simple web app using Flask (Or Django, but I like flask) which performs some functions (like calculator, or something with text manipulation, or serving some files).

At the first stages, that would be sufficient to progress further. After that you can learn docker and start creating your own containers with microservices.
One advice - before trying to create something from scratch, have a look online - it's very likely that there is an existing python package that does what you want.

Overall, if you have any questions - please reach out !

Take care,
Ilya
Cyber Security Student from De Montfort University

Reply 2

hotpud

18

Original post

by akashDTV

Hey guys,
I want to get good at python because I want to study CS at top unis like cambridge and imperial. (I am in y12 and i dont study CS a level). I have a grasp on the basics but I am struggling to improve a lot. I want to get to a stage where I can start to make projects of my own that arent really basic. Does anyone know any good techniques or resources to self learn python based on their own experiences?
Thanks

Practice. Don't run before you can walk, but practice, practice, practice. It is not a bad idea to have a project as it gives you something to aim for. But time coding is the key. What you have to accept is that the nerds of this world were programming when they were very young and so are just further down the road than you are. That doesn't mean you can't catch up. Just practice, practice practice. Here is a good site with lots of problems.

https://edabit.com/challenges

Reply 3

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by akashDTV

Hey guys,
I want to get good at python because I want to study CS at top unis like cambridge and imperial. (I am in y12 and i dont study CS a level). I have a grasp on the basics but I am struggling to improve a lot. I want to get to a stage where I can start to make projects of my own that arent really basic. Does anyone know any good techniques or resources to self learn python based on their own experiences?

Thanks

Understanding core concepts, practice then projects (find projects to do & then force yourself to figure it out, make mistakes, amend & learn…)
I would also not Python is a programming language and being a proficient programmer is not the same as being a great computer scientist/software engineer, being a great scientist is about solving problems, the programming platform is a tool to implement a solution. It is far more important to be good at identifying & solving problems then integrating a solution.
Code academy, udemy & coursera all have lots of platforms to learn the button tapping basics.

How can I get good at python?

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