Python is not always ideal for programming. After all, Python has many disadvantages, for example, here are some of them:
- low speed. Slower than, for example, C/C++ or Java;
- Python is difficult to develop mobile applications. Python is not an official development language for Android and iOS. It is possible to develop mobile applications in Python, but with unnecessary additional efforts and restrictions;
- Python consumes a lot of memory.
- Nevertheless, the demand for Python developers is high, so Python is ideal for learning and finding work at the start. But it will never replace the many other programming languages that are in huge demand.
PYTHON DEVELOPER - WHO IS IT AND WHAT DOES IT DO
However, the fact remains that the demand for professionals who speak Python is growing every year. As we wrote above, most of the largest corporations - Google, Yahoo!, IBM - use Python in the development of their digital products.
In addition, the demand for Python developers themselves has increased significantly in recent times in companies such as Instagram, Reddit, Tumblr, YouTube, and Pinterest. And, of course, other market participants followed the headliners. So, if you know how to program in this language, you can earn decent money.
What does a Python developer do?
The main task of a Python developer is to create applications and services. At the same time, the programmer, in addition to creating an IT product, is busy compiling the terms of reference, providing technical support, integration, optimization, and training the company's employees to work with the products.
Python has a minimal character set and is easy to learn and use compared to other languages. Due to its versatility, it allows you to perform various work: write plugins and scripts, develop simple games (Java is better suited for complex games), mobile applications (rarely used!), online services, and accompany software.
Using the Python language in real projects provides great opportunities in almost any area. For example:
- creation of a project for the development of smart home systems;
- development of a self-learning computer vision algorithm;
- creation of computer games and applications;
- automation of data from public sites;
- creation of bots of different levels of complexity.
The possibilities of Python are almost limitless. Most Python courses have hands-on activities that are closely related to some of the examples in the list above.
What you need to learn Python
From the mathematical apparatus, apart from basic arithmetic, nothing is needed for programming. Structural thinking is important to figure out which algorithm to use to solve a given problem, but it is not mathematical competence. The paradox is that you need to develop it with the help of regular work with tasks - it is important to be ready to sit on a seemingly trivial task for several hours and not despair.
To analyze data, in addition to school mathematics, you will need knowledge of mathematical statistics and probability theory. It is most important for a beginner to master the basic concepts: to be able to test hypotheses, to know what confidence intervals are, how the median and mode differ, and to understand how to designate events and their probabilities.
How to choose an educational program
When choosing an educational program, it is important to pay attention to the teachers who lead it or create content for it - you can look at their Facebook profiles and learn about their professional experience.
As for the price, in my experience, the quality of the course does not always correlate with it - so you need to focus on how much you are comfortable spending on training.
It is also worthwhile to clearly articulate what you want to get as a result - and make this a key selection criterion. There are cases when students come to a course on data analysis for managers and expect programming classes - and they are taught to communicate with analysts and tell general things about how to implement data analysis. Often the problem is not in a bad organization or teachers, but in the fact that the person himself did not check whether the program corresponds to his tasks. The goal-setting rule works not only for choosing a program, but also for learning in general - you don’t need to master a programming language to tick off.
CODEACADEMY
If you love interactive learning, there is no better place for you than CodeCademy. On this platform, you are first taught the theory very briefly and then asked to write code (online) using the concept learned. And best of all, you don't have to set anything up. You don't even need to install Python on your machine! You can run the code directly in the browser.
The second benefit of this platform is that you don't have to write the entire program until you're ready to. You will make small changes and run the code. This is a great and fun way to learn how to program in Python.
Through this interactive platform, I learned JavaScript, Java, Python, and Linux. Previously, all courses were completely free, but now they have a “freemium” model, that is, some lessons and courses are only available to paid subscribers.
UDEMY
This is another popular online course platform. This is probably the largest collection of online courses on earth. I like Udemy because you can find a course on literally any topic you want to learn on this platform, plus the courses are free.
Like CodeAcademy, you don't have to subscribe. All you need to do is create a free account and you can start taking free Python courses right away. When you first launch a course, most instructors make the lessons free to get attention and feedback on their course.
But there are whole courses, and excellent ones, which are laid out completely free of charge. On them, you can learn Python 3 quite deeply.
The advantage of Udemy is that you will be taught by experts. But it doesn't have the interactivity you'll find on CodeCademy. All in all, if you love learning from videos, there is no better place for you than a set of the best Python courses on Udemy.
COURSERA
If you want to study under the programs of the world's leading universities without paying a penny, pay attention to the Coursera platform. It offers online courses from Stanford University, INSEAD, National University of Singapore and many more.
Also, one of the most popular courses on Coursera is Python - Programming for Everybody.
This course is designed to teach Python 3 from scratch. To pass it, you do not even need to have basic knowledge of programming. More than 850,000 students have already signed up for this course and learned how to code in Python, and you can use it too.
In general, Coursera has a whole block of courses dedicated to Python, and "Python - Programming for Everybody" is part of this block. In addition to it, there are also courses for a deeper study of this language.