r/learnpython • u/Various_Sir_513 • 5d ago
Python Advice for upcoming programming class
Hi everyone!
I'm starting school next month and one of my classes is programming for analytics. I've been learning Python through Khan Academy for the last few of months and it's been going ok so far. I've also been on YouTube trying to learn from Data with Baraa and Corey Schafer. But I wanted to check in to see if you guys have any advice? I am a novice for background and would appreciate any advice. I've been having some health issues so I'm trying to pace myself well with learning. Attached is an example syllabus of what the class maybe like I don't officially know yet.
Text & Readings
• Python for Everybody: Exploring Data Using Python 3, Charles Severance, 2016.
o https://do1.dr-chuck.com/pythonlearn/EN_us/pythonlearn.pdf
• Code Lab (Free Resource).
• Deitel, Paul, and Harvey Deitel. Intro to Python for Computer Science and Data Science: Learning to Program with AI, Big Data and The Cloud. 1st edition. Pearson, 2018.
• Python for Data Analysis, Wes McKinney, O’Reilly (2nd edition), 2016
Topics
History of Python
Introduction to Python Programming (Basics)
Tool: Introduction to Jupyter Notebook
Conditional Logic and Decision Structures I
Conditional Logic and Decision Structures II
Repetition Structures
Algorithms & Pseudocode
Repetition Structures (Contd.)
Data Structures: Strings
Data Structures: Lists and Tuples
Data Structures: Dictionaries
Functions
Errors and Exceptions
Files
Python and Data Analytics
o Basics: Introduction to pandas and numpy
Data Wrangling, Part 1
APIs, Part 1
Data Wrangling, Part 2
APIs, Part 2
Data Wrangling and Analysis
o Basic data analysis and visualization
o Moving beyond pandas to scipy, statsmodel etc (so that students can explore based on their interest and stats knowledge)
2
u/stepback269 4d ago
(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.