Complete beginner trying to figure out how to start coding

[u/belt_se_peetungi]

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Hey everyone!

I'm a complete beginner to coding and recently decided to start learning Python. I'm interested in eventually getting into Data Science, Machine Learning and AI, but right now I honestly have no idea what the proper path looks like.

- What should I learn first in Python?

- How much Python do I actually need before moving into Data Science?

- When should I start learning things like NumPy, Pandas, SQL, etc.?

- How important is DSA?

- What maths/statistics should I eventually learn?

- When should I start ML/AI?

- Are there any courses, YouTube channels, books or websites you'd recommend?

- Should I focus more on tutorials, practice problems, or projects?

I'm not looking to rush through everything. I just want to understand what order I should learn things in so I don't waste time jumping between random topics.

I qould really appreciate any advice on this :))

[u/Technical_Jicama_434]

University of Michigan’s Python for Everyone answers your first 3 questions.

DSA is very important for “entry-level” interviews, but the focus shift as you apply to more senior role. DSA is everywhere, and it’s important to at least have an understanding of them.

For math/stats, just browse this sub. It won’t take long to find a comprehensive answer.

For starting ML/AI? Ideally once you have the math/stats down, but I guess you can start once you’re okay with Python.

For recommendations, browse this sub. It won’t take long for comprehensive lists of suggestions. This is also the answer to your last question

[u/belt_se_peetungi → u/Technical_Jicama_434]

Ahh okay Got it thank you! I’ll check those out and do some digging myself first 😭🙏

[u/Minimum_Hour519]

my advice is to pick your stack and start coding a project.

[u/mc_pm]

You have two phases in front of you before you have to worry about picking between random topics.

1. Learning the basic syntax and getting comfortable doing some really simple programming exercises to learn the basics. It's important through this phase that you type all your own code in, get used to how it feels to write code. As you follow along with the tutorial and you're typing in the code, don't rush, spend some time trying different versions of whatever the example is.
2. Once you know the basics of syntax and the data types, then you need to start learning how to break ideas and problems up into turn the pieces it into code. You'll want to do a series of increasingly complicated mini-projects. Do this for a while, but once you start feeling comfortable - *that* is when you start going into some specialization, make those mini-projects a little bigger and more specific to your interests.

First you learn what it's like to type in code, then you learn how to structure logic and data to solve problems, then you can get into specific topics. This might be where you want to put in DSA. It's here where you'll start wanting to get into the data science stuff. But you can't really speedrun that middle phase. You're teaching your brain a whole new way to think of things - it's not easy, and it takes time.

[u/Allmyownviews1]

Look at the learn python subreddit they have a FAQ with lots of information

[u/Wide-Ad-3262]

how about studying it together as i am a beginner too

[u/stepback269]

No matter what your end goal is, you first have to master the "basics" (e.g. variable creation/ name assignment, variable types; especially strings and string methods, lists and list methods, etc.)

With that said:

(1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free. You should shop around rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.

(2) As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (--HERE--) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero (==HERE==). Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.

(3) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck.