How to Learn Python

Behind every piece of technology is a programmer who worked to build it. A programmer was behind the payment you made to an online retailer, for instance. Programmers use computer code to create solutions to problems. Due to the complexity of some problems, programmers often work in teams to solve them.

To build applications, programmers use programming languages. One of the most popular programming languages is Python—a general-purpose language used in a wide variety of contexts. Learning how to code with languages like Python is an increasingly valuable skill.

In this guide, we provide tips for how to learn Python and what to focus on to master the basics.

Why Should You Learn Python?

Python is used for many things—from building web applications to analyzing data and solving mathematical problems. It is well-loved among both experienced programmers and beginners alike. There are many reasons to learn Python.

Learning Python will keep you relevant. Learning how to code will help you keep up as the workforce evolves. Jobs in software development alone are expected to grow in the U.S. at a rate of 21% over the next decade. This rate is described as “much faster than average” by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Given how many developers use it, learning how to code in Python will give you a solid foundation for a career in tech.

Python is similar to English. Many developers describe Python as easy to learn because it resembles the English language in many ways. Python was designed to be concise, too. If you’re looking to learn how to code, Python is a great language to begin with.

Python is widely used. Organizations like Quora, YouTube, Dropbox, and IBM all rely on Python as part of their businesses because it is versatile, simple, and powerful. You can use it to solve complex problems. Once you learn Python, you’ll have a skill relevant to any career in technology.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Python?

The length of time it will take to learn Python depends on your schedule, and what you mean by ‘learn.’

Few people can be said to know all of Python. How much you need to learn will depend on what you plan to accomplish with it.

If you’re looking to become a Python expert or get into machine learning you have a much longer path ahead of you. For now, we’ll just look at how long it takes to get a basic, well-rounded understanding of the language.

On average, it takes about 6-8 weeks to learn the basics. This will get you far enough to understand most lines of code in Python. Python developers have spent much more time in the field. If you plan on getting into data science or another specialized field, counting in months and years is more appropriate.

One option is to stick yourself on a five-month schedule. This schedule is far better suited for those of you who work full time. The plan is fairly straightforward: spend 2-3 hours a day on the computer. One day, learn something; the next day, practice.

You must practice daily in order to make sure you learn in a decent amount of time. However, this schedule is fairly easy to maintain. You may need to sacrifice the time you spend watching Netflix, but it’s well worth it for a stellar new career!

What is Python Used For?

Python is general-purpose, which means it has a wide range of uses. Python is commonly used for data analysis, back-end web development, scientific computing, and system scripting.

Python has a massive repository of libraries that extend the language. As a result, you can find big communities that use Python for a range of disciplines. Libraries like matplotlib are used for data science whereas tools like Click are used for system scripting.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Python?

It will take you at least three months to learn the basics of Python. This assumes that you devote about ten hours a week to learning the language.

Three months is not a hard number. If you want to delve deeper into Python libraries, you’ll quickly find your journey time will extend. Learning a library like matplotlib alone may take you weeks, and that’s only one external library.

The more time you devote to learning, the quicker you’ll learn Python. It is possible to master the fundamentals, like variables, within a few days. But, if you want to be at the stage where you can write longer and more complex programs, three months is a good amount of time to devote.

The Best Way to Learn Python for Free

Have you decided that learning Python is worth your time? Great! Now we’re ready to talk about how to learn it fast.

Due to the vast number of developers who use Python, there is no shortage of resources you can use as you start your journey. However, if you’re new to the language, you may want guidance. The following are our top tips on how to start your journey to learning Python.

Step 1: Determine your motivation

Before you start learning how to code in Python, determine your motivation. Why do you want to learn how to code in Python? This may not seem too important. Over time, having a clear image in your mind of why you are learning to code is helpful.

Although Python is an easy language to learn, like any skill, it takes time and energy to successfully master it. If you have a clear motivation upfront for learning Python, you’ll find it easier to stay focused later on.

As you think about learning Python, ask yourself why you want to learn. Do you want to jumpstart a career in tech? Great! Do you want to tinker around with new technologies? That’s a good reason, too.

Step 2: Master programming in Python fundamentals

You may be tempted to start with a bold idea you want to develop and try to create an application with that idea. While that approach works for some people, most new developers should focus on learning the basics. There’s always time to work on more advanced projects later.

Let’s break down the main topics you should cover on your journey to learning Python:

Syntax

• How a Python program is created
• Variables
• Data types
• Printing statements to the console
• Arithmetic (basic math)
• Comments

Conditionals

Conditionals help control the flow of a program. They tell a program that it should run certain code when a specific condition is met. For example, a conditional statement may tell a program to run a block of code when a user logs in.

The main subtopics related to conditionals for you to learn are:

Loops

When programming, you may want to execute the same block of code multiple times. For example, if you’re building a guessing game, you may want to allow a user five guesses. A loop is a Python feature that lets you run a block of code a certain number of times.

Functions

Functions are an essential aspect of Python. They help reduce repetition. By using functions, developers can write code that can be easily reused.

For example, a Python developer could create a function that adds two numbers. Instead of repeating the same block of code every time she needs to add two numbers, she could simply use the function she created.

The main function subtopics in Python to learn are:

• How a function works
• Formal and actual parameters
• User-built functions vs. system functions
• Importing libraries
• The basics of object-oriented programming

Lists and Dictionaries

After you’ve learned about functions, you’re ready to start exploring the list data type.

Lists store collections of similar pieces of information as a single variable. For example, a Python list could store a list of shoes sold at a department store. Another Python list could store a list of companies that supply food to a restaurant. Lists make it easy to store similar information in one place. They allow for easier manipulation of that information later.

Dictionaries are similar to lists. Dictionaries give programmers a way to store data with keys and values. Keys act as a label for the values that they store.

The main topics you should cover in these areas are:

• The basics of lists
• How lists are indexed
• The basics of dictionaries
• A comparison of lists and dictionaries
• Python data structures
• How to slice a list and a string
• How to iterate over a list

Objects and Classes

Python is an object-oriented programming language. Classes are blueprints for objects. Classes define how an object should be structured and what data it can store. Developers use classes to reduce repetition and increase efficiency in code.

Objects are individual instances of a class. For instance, a class may define the structure of a Player for a game. An object would be an individual player. This object would store values such as the name of that particular player and the date on which they registered to the service.

Working With Files

Files are used throughout Python programs. Developers use files to store and retrieve information. Read our guide on reading from Python files for more information on how to work with files.

Other subtopics

These are only some components of the Python programming language. If you master the topics discussed above, you’ll be on your way to becoming a Python expert.

As you continue your journey to learning Python, you’ll encounter more advanced topics. All the more advanced topics are built on the principles we mentioned above. So, once you master the fundamentals, you’ll have no trouble tackling new and complicated aspects of Python.

Online Python Courses

Learn Python by Codecademy

• Cost: Codecademy membership (varies)
• Audience: Beginners

Codecademy has an interactive course for Python. In this course, you’ll master all the basics of coding in Python. You’ll be given a series of code snippets with which to work and challenges to push your knowledge.

Complete Python Bootcamp

• Cost: $60.00
• Audience: Beginners

This Udemy course has received over 250,000 enrollments in its history. In this course, you’ll learn how to code in Python 3. This course is aimed at beginners who are new to Python.

Python Fundamentals

• Cost: Pluralsight membership ($24 / month)
• Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Python Fundamentals helps you learn the basics of Python. You’ll learn about the development principles behind Python. In addition, you will cover of the syntax you need to write applications in Python.

Online Python Resources

LearnPython.org

This site will help you learn Python whether you’re new to the language or already have some knowledge of coding in Python. You’ll cover topics like lists and loops.

Toward the end of the tutorial, you’ll encounter topics like sets and generators which will enable you to write more powerful applications.

Career Karma Python Guides

If you’re looking for support in learning how to code in Python, check out Career Karma’s directory of Python resources. In this directory, we have dozens of articles that cover all the basic Python topics you need to know to master the language. Our resources will help you start learning Python for free, without having to sign up to a course.

Python Flask Mega-Tutorial.

Flask is a web framework. You can use Flask in your Python code to create websites. Flask is popular among web developers for server-side development. This tutorial is a detailed introduction to building full-stack web applications using Flask.

Python Tutorials

The Python developer community prides itself on its stewardship of one of the most popular programming languages in the world. They have managed to keep Python easy to use by creating walkthroughs for beginning and advanced learners to consult. The following explanatory resources represent the best Python tutorials that the Internet has to offer. 

Best Python Tutorials for Beginners

Basic Python Tutorials Series | Learn Python and Make Games

This YouTube tutorial series is designed for beginners and covers basic concepts of Python programming, such as variables, loops, controls, functions, strings, and more. The videos provide straightforward and easy-to-follow instructions, making the series ideal for people without any programming experience.

The video tutorials range in length and focus on different aspects of Python. This particular video focuses on using Python for game development. There are exercises and challenges throughout that help to support your learning. 

Python for Beginners | Programming with Mosh

This six-hour tutorial for beginners explores all of the fundamental aspects of Python. Part tutorial and part online course, this entire video is divided into topics, making it easy to complete within your own time frame, as you can pick up wherever you last left off. It starts with a basic introduction, goes into more detailed topics, and ends with several real-world projects.

The YouTube content creator who provides this video tutorial also offers other tutorial options for beginners. There are one-hour Python tutorials, tutorials for functional programming with Python, tutorials explaining how to use Python for loops, and more.  

Learn Python Programming | Programiz

This Python programming tutorial does not require any previous programming experience. It includes both video and written instructions, and it covers everything that complete beginners need to know. The goal is to give you a basic understanding of Python and prepare you for more advanced concepts. 

Some of the key topics covered are control flow statements, custom functions, Python data types, conditional statements, and file handling. This tutorial will also teach you skills for web development, software program creation, and data science. 

Learn Python in 5 Hours | TechWorld with Nana

This five-hour YouTube tutorial is a detailed Python introduction for beginners. The first part of the tutorial introduces you to Python and how to install PyCharm, an integrated development environment (IDE). The video explains the benefits of using PyCharm compared to a simple code editor, and then moves on to key aspects of the Python programming language.

This online tutorial covers Python topics such as strings, variables, functions and logic, loops, and sets. The latter part deals with packages that you should be familiar with, as these will be useful for application development. Some of the Python projects that you will work on in this tutorial are a countdown app and a data automation exercise.

Learn Python – Full Course for Beginners [Tutorial] | freeCodeCamp

Created by the online learning platform freeCodeCamp, this tutorial begins with instructions on how to install PyCharm on different operating systems. It goes on to cover basic Python topics, such as variables, basic data types, strings, and numbers. In just four and a half hours, you will be prepared to build a basic calculator using Python.

Subsequent projects include a more sophisticated calculator, a guessing game, and a translator. All of these programming exercises are designed to give you a deeper understanding of Python’s practical applications. For the very last project, you will put your newfound skills to the test by creating a multiple choice quiz.

Best Advanced Python Tutorials

Advanced Python Tutorials | Real Python

Experienced programmers looking to improve their craft can try Real Python’s advanced tutorials, which go beyond the fundamentals of programming with Python. There are several tutorial videos on this online platform, each focusing on a unique subset of advanced concepts.

The tutorials can teach you how to use Python to create speech recognition functions, gradebooks, and text classifications for natural language processing. There are also online books about Python accessible on the site. As a bonus, everything on this excellent platform is absolutely free.

Advanced Python for Everybody | Extern Code

Extern Code, together with the University of Michigan, created this comprehensive tutorial for those who wish to move beyond the absolute basics of Python. The entire video runs for 13 hours and covers key programming concepts. It starts with a nice refresher of the fundamentals before mostly focusing on advanced Python programming concepts.

The different sections of this tutorial cover databases, data visualization, web development, web services, and application programming interfaces (APIs). This tutorial is ideal for programmers looking to shift their career path in the direction of data science or data analytics.

Python Advanced Tutorials | NeuralNine

NeuralNine provides a YouTube playlist of 10 advanced Python tutorials, each focusing on a different aspect of Python, including magic methods, decorators, and generators. These video tutorials are only for learners of an advanced skill level, as there is no foundational recap.

Later in the tutorials, you will learn Python design patterns, such as the factory method, proxy, singleton, and composite. These design patterns are really important for experienced developers looking for better career opportunities in software engineering. The design patterns help professional programmers provide a structure to the programs that they build. 

Advanced Python Tutorial | Python Course

Python Course offers a variety of online tutorials on Python. You’re given the option to learn either at your own pace or through live lectures. This self-paced tutorial relies on the different sections on the official website, covering topics like interpreting Python, data types and variables, conditional statements, and loops.

The live video tutorials are conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lectures cover complex topics such as data analysis and machine learning. However, there are also a few lessons for absolute beginners.

Learn Advanced Python Concepts | edureka!

This online tutorial is about 33 minutes long and covers advanced topics. It begins with an introduction to advanced Python, as well as some of its key concepts, eventually providing coding exercises to help you practice what you’ve learned. 

As this tutorial uses a practical approach, you will be working on real-time data and completing hands-on projects on your own. Some of the main coding skills you’ll learn here include how to use Python for machine learning and predictive modeling. 

Best Free Python Tutorials

Android Chat App in Python | NeuralNine

If you are interested in creating a messaging app, there’s a YouTube video containing comprehensive instructional material on this very topic. This tutorial by NeuralNine will help you get your feet wet with Python by building a chat app of your own. This particular chat app is compatible with the Android operating system.

Other than building the app itself, this tutorial will help you build a strong server that will help it run smoothly online. The first part of the tutorial teaches you how to establish the server for the app and build lines of code for the server and web client. Additionally, the tutorial will also guide you on how to achieve a good user interface (UI) for the chat app.

Python Tutorial for Beginners: Learn Programming Basics | Guru99

The e-learning platform Guru99 offers this Python tutorial in text form, which is ideal for people who prefer to learn by reading. The entire tutorial can be downloaded in PDF form, and it even has a guide that will help you install Python properly into your computer.

This tutorial starts with programming basics, eventually progressing to specific elements of Python, such as loops, strings, functions, and simple and complex data structures. There is a section dedicated to data science as well, which is free, along with other bonus content. 

Free Python Tutorial for Beginners 2020 | Automation by Rain the Dog

This is another beginner tutorial for aspiring Python developers. Within a little over two hours, you will learn the basics of programming with Python. This video tutorial thoroughly explores how to navigate elements like variables, conditions, and loops.

One of the more notable topics covered in this tutorial is debugging, which is one of the most essential programming skills. The last topics cover object-oriented programming with Python and how to use it as a scripting language.

Expert Python Tutorials | Tech with Tim

This YouTube playlist of video lectures by Tech with Tim is ideal for professional developers. The tutorial is composed of a discussion on how these key topics should be understood on a theoretical level. The latter part is a demonstration of how to use these features to achieve your developer and career goals. 

The first video is an overview of Python and how it works. This is followed by a thorough discussion on magic and dunder methods. This tutorial series also covers classes, decorators, generators, and context managers.

Get into Python | jobtensor

Get into Python is another text tutorial made for Python learners. Its difficulty levels range from beginner to advanced, as it documents all of the important components of Python. The Python packages and libraries it covers include NumPy, pandas, and SciPy.

The free tutorial is accessible online with all of the important information laid out according to category. The structure of this tutorial starts by covering the basic concepts of Python, eventually advancing to more complicated concepts and applications. There is also a dedicated section on how to use Python for data science.

Online Python Books

Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes

This book, as you may be able to tell by the name, is designed to get you familiar with all the basics of Python. You’ll cover everything from if statements to tuples. You’ll even learn a bit about how to use external libraries with the Python language.

Python Cookbook by David Beazley and Brian K. Jones

Python Cookbook contains a number of recipes for Python programming. You’ll learn the fundamentals of Python as well as how it is used in different contexts. This book comes with code samples to help you learn the Python syntax.

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python by Al Sweigart

Automate the Boring Stuff is a guide for people who want to extend their knowledge of Python. This book is best if you’ve already got a grasp of the basics. In this book, you’ll learn how to write small but powerful scripts that automate boring computing tasks.

There is no best place to learn Python. With that said, the courses we covered above will let you learn Python online free. Each course and guide comes highly recommended by both beginners and experts.

Once you know the fundamentals, you can go on to explore topics such as data science and machine learning in more depth.

These courses mainly cover how to learn Python 3. This is because Python 2 has been phased out. You should focus your learning efforts on Python 3 if you want to learn the most relevant skills. There are plenty of free courses to learn Python 3 online from which you can choose.

Step 3: Build Projects

The best way to learn how to code is to build your own projects. Building your own projects allows you to apply your knowledge and learn through exploration.

Like any skill, if you practice coding in Python, you’ll be better able to maintain your mastery of it. If you start working on projects, you’ll be able to push yourself toward meeting a goal and will learn new things in the process.

That’s not all! Building projects will help you build a portfolio. You can use your portfolio to showcase your skills to prospective employers.

Before you decide to build an advanced project, start small. Work your way up to building projects that incorporate new skills you will learn.

Tips for Coming Up with Side Projects

The only limit to the type of project you build is your own imagination. You can build anything—a web application to share your favorite movies, a data science algorithm that predicts avocado prices, or something else. If you’re struggling to think of an idea, consider these tips:

• Research other programmers’ side projects online for inspiration.
• Look for open-source software to which you can contribute. GitHub has a great tutorial on how to contribute to open source here.
• Volunteer your skills to help a local nonprofit.
• Add new features to projects you already built.
• Join an online community like Dev.to, Indie Hackers, or Product Hunt to see what other makers and developers are building or have built.

The key to tackling your first Python language project is to start small. For instance, you may decide to build a habit tracker. This may not be a very complex project. However, you will refine your skills as you work on a small project.

Here are a few other ideas to help get your mind going:

• A tool that predicts the price of a stock
• A website that showcases a list of top movies
• An app that lets you share your favorite books with friends
• An app that displays election campaign contributions
• A website that allows you to track your habits
• A website for note-taking
• An interactive poker game
• A tool for shortening URLs
• A tool that aggregates content based on interests

These are just some ideas. Don’t let this list limit you. Build whatever you want to build!

Step 4: Progress to More Difficult Projects

Your first project may be as simple as a to-do list or a habit tracker. Once you’ve finished working on your first project, you can start to take on more difficult projects.

As we mentioned previously, you can also add new features to your existing projects to make them more technically complex and exciting.

Suppose your first Python project was a movie list site. Your next project could be to build a site that allows others to add to your movie lists.

Here are a few questions worth considering as you undertake more advanced projects:

• Can you improve the efficiency of your program?
• Could you add a new feature to your program to make it more functional?
• Can you add a payments feature into your app to allow people to purchase access?
• Is there a way to use an external data source to improve your app’s functionality?
• Can you use a Python library to make your code more efficient?

Ultimately, the projects you work on should be things you want to work on. As soon as you determine an interesting project you think you can build, give it a go. If you encounter a roadblock, ask for help. Review the Python fundamentals to fill in any gaps in your knowledge.

The only way to improve your Python skills is to constantly practice. Practice, practice, practice is the key.

Wrapping Up

When you start your journey, focus on learning the basics of Python. This means exploring topics like syntax, conditionals, loops, and lists.

Then, once you’ve learned the basics, you can start working on some simple projects. Doing so will help solidify and supplement your knowledge while also allowing you to develop a portfolio that showcases your skills.

Learning Python is difficult. With persistence, effort, and time, you’ll have no trouble mastering it. After learning to code in Python, you will have a new skill you can use throughout your life.