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Noob: I cant piece it together (Python)

seannash

Hi,
I started looking at Python a few days ago having absolutely zero coding exposure before.
I wanted to see if it would be something I'm interested in pursuing or even finding out if I'd like to dedicate some time to.

I finished a beginners course on udemy which went through the basics.
My only similarity I could draw was it was somewhat like excel in the beginning but I felt comfortable with what I learned.

However I cant grasp how those basic concepts let you generate anything (Games, programmes etc)

I understand that I'm kind of jumping way ahead but can anyone link me to a video explaining how this translates to real world uses.

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Axwell

Python is a scripting language and would more commonly be used for back end on applications. For developing games you would be looking at C# or C++ in a game engine like Unity. If you have an interest in the gaming aspect of it then look at Unity and then pick a language.

seannash

Axwell wrote: »

Python is a scripting language and would more commonly be used for back end on applications. For developing games you would be looking at C# or C++ in a game engine like Unity. If you have an interest in the gaming aspect of it then look at Unity and then pick a language.

I guess thats where I'm struggling. I dont really know what area I should head towards.
I'm basically trying to branch out and learn something completely different and its been recommended I try coding (Good problem solver, Logical etc etc)

I guess I'm working backwards from a finished product to the steps it takes to get there. I dont have an interest in games but its something tangible that I can relate to I guess (Website, app etc) and could hold my interest while I figure out how it all hangs together if that makes sense.

Anesthetize

When learning how to code you need to work your way out rather than work your way in. Get to know the basics of Python and Object-Oriented Programming concepts first and foremost. This is extremely important.

Create very simple programs, for example taking two numbers from user input and outputting some result.
Then as you improve your knowledge of coding basics you can create larger programs. Eventually you get closer and closer to real life applications and start using various frameworks.

SilverSideUp

Did you learn how to write a basic 'Hello World' program?

seannash

SilverSideUp wrote: »

Did you learn how to write a basic 'Hello World' program?

Yes, that was the first part of the beginners course on udemy ðŸ˜

SilverSideUp

Ok good. Now forget about that ****e and switch to building a website. I was like you. I started trying to build something in code before I knew how to code. It's the hard path because building something without knowing the fundamentals is very frustrating because the learning curve is very steep. But there's great satisfaction when you produce whatever it is you set out to achieve. Its not the orthodox way of learning but it works for some. I think it might work for you. You need to check out W3 schools website and build a basic website. Start from there.

seannash

SilverSideUp wrote: »

Ok good. Now forget about that ****e and switch to building a website. I was like you. I started trying to build something in code before I knew how to code. It's the hard path because building something without knowing the fundamentals is very frustrating because the learning curve is very steep. But there's great satisfaction when you produce whatever it is you set out to achieve. Its not the orthodox way of learning but it works for some. I think it might work for you. You need to check out W3 schools website and build a basic website. Start from there.

Thanks for that. I'll definitely take a look at it. I feel a bit uneasy about not learning the fundamentals but you are right, I need to see if it's something I want to stick with and to be honest I think going through more of those types of courses might cause me to lose interest without something tangible to aim for.

Not really similar but I've produced music before using the same method of trying to replicate songs and your right it definitely gives a great sense of satisfaction when you manage to imitate something.
Thanks again.

SilverSideUp

You'll pick up the fundamentals as you go along. Think about building stuff and making stuff not about doing courses. Give yourself a target. What do you want to build? What do you want to make? Let your passion drive you.

seannash

SilverSideUp wrote: »

You'll pick up the fundamentals as you go along. Think about building stuff and making stuff not about doing courses. Give yourself a target. What do you want to build? What do you want to make? Let your passion drive you.

Thanks, I think I'll give this method a go as I can always circle back to the classroom based stuff at a later stage if needs be I guess.

I have some exposure to developers in my current role so once I'm a bit further along I can pick their brains (hopefully)

Anesthetize

SilverSideUp wrote: »

Ok good. Now forget about that ****e and switch to building a website. I was like you. I started trying to build something in code before I knew how to code. It's the hard path because building something without knowing the fundamentals is very frustrating because the learning curve is very steep. But there's great satisfaction when you produce whatever it is you set out to achieve. Its not the orthodox way of learning but it works for some. I think it might work for you. You need to check out W3 schools website and build a basic website. Start from there.

This kind of approach is okay for a hobbyist. But if the person wants to eventually become a professional software engineer this is not the approach to take. Just something to consider.

Building a nice website is all well and good. But the real achievement is knowing how it all works together, how the Python code in the back-end actually works, and what to do when you find it doesn't work as expected.

That's why it's important to know the building blocks first before jumping to making a website.

Axwell wrote: »

Python is a scripting language

This is also not really true. Python is a multi-functional language. It can be used in a similar manner to a scripting language, but Python can also be used as a compiled language for Object-Oriented programming.

seannash

Anesthetize wrote: »

This kind of approach is okay for a hobbyist. But if the person wants to eventually become a professional software engineer this is not the approach to take. Just something to consider.

Building a nice website is all well and good. But the real achievement is knowing how it all works together, how the Python code in the back-end actually works, and what to do when you find it doesn't work as expected.

That's why it's important to know the building blocks first before jumping to making a website

I do understand this is the best approach but I guess I just can't see the pathway yet. I can't understand how what I learned already translates to something that can have real world application. If I could see where it's headed I'd be more inclined to stick with this method but for now it feels like memorisation of code for the sake of some practical uses in the far future. The whole time I was kind of waiting for an "aha" moment that never came.
Hence this thread.

Axwell

Anesthetize wrote: »

This is also not really true. Python is a multi-functional language. It can be used in a similar manner to a scripting language, but Python can also be used as a compiled language for Object-Oriented programming.

Python is considered a scripting language or interpreted language because no separate compilation step is required to run a Python program. Equally just because it can be used for something doesn't mean it should be, as per the reply I gave in relation to the OPs question about how it could be used to make games, when C# or C++ and Unity are a better route to take for that purpose.

At the end of the day though it depends what the OP wants to work towards, there are many ways to skin a cat as the saying goes but there is also the best tool for the job. Is it a hobby you want to pick up or something potentially a career, as Anesthetize says if it's a career approach then giving yourself some project is not necessarily the best way. Learning the fundamentals of programming will stand to you more and allow you to be better at problem-solving and also being able to look at other languages and understand how they work.

Anesthetize

seannash wrote: »

I do understand this is the best approach but I guess I just can't see the pathway yet. I can't understand how what I learned already translates to something that can have real world application. If I could see where it's headed I'd be more inclined to stick with this method but for now it feels like memorisation of code for the sake of some practical uses in the far future. The whole time I was kind of waiting for an "aha" moment that never came.
Hence this thread.

Even small programs can give you an idea of real world application. Whether it's a basic command-line calculator or a full-blown website, the core concept is the same - the user interacts with the application, the application does something, then the applications outputs the result to the user.

For the calculator example it's not hard to grasp. Write a program that takes number inputs from the user on the command line, perform the calculation, print the result.
For the website example a user can interact by inputting some information in a form, or selecting a video. The website code then does something and then displays the results to the user.

Start with small programs like a simple calculator, learn how the code works, and then grow bigger.

seannash

Axwell wrote: »

At the end of the day though it depends what the OP wants to work towards, there are many ways to skin a cat as the saying goes but there is also the best tool for the job. Is it a hobby you want to pick up or something potentially a career, as Anesthetize says if it's a career approach then giving yourself some project is not necessarily the best way. Learning the fundamentals of programming will stand to you more and allow you to be better at problem-solving and also being able to look at other languages and understand how they work.

I guess this is where I'm struggling. I don't know if its going to be a direction I take for my career but I really would like to see if it holds my interest enough for me to pursue it further.
Maybe I've answered my own question though. If I'm not getting excited about basic calculator programme will I be excited about the other things further along. Did you get excited about that when you first ran a calculator programme correctly?

I'm a systems administrator at the moment(Among other things) so its not a cosmic leap for me to pursue something like this for my career.
Ultimately I came to this point because I had an inkling I would like it and others confirmed I probably would too. I guess I have to keep the faith in my inkling and keep going, if somewhat blindly.
Its the blindness I'd like to get rid of more than anything so it could help me make a decision quicker

The_B_Man

I've absolutely no idea if this course is any good. But it's free..

2D Game Development for Beginners in Python from scratch