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Python for Beginners: A Comprehensive Roadmap

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What is Python ?

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language, widely used for web development, data science and artificial intelligence. Known for its simplicity and ease-to-learn, python has been one of the most popular programming languages for multiple years now.

I am sure that you already have some idea on what python is, since you are here looking for a roadmap. But here's a small introduction anyway :

Python supports a lot of features in its standard library like emails, cryptography, mathematical functions, http, etc. It also has an extensive collection of third-party libraries and frameworks that can be used to build a wide range of applications.

Python is an interpreted language, which means that it is executed line-by-line at runtime by an interpreter, rather than being compiled into machine code that can be run directly on a computer. This makes it easy to write and test code, as well as to modify and debug programs.

How to start learning Python ?

I am glad you asked. There are a lot of ways to learn python, but I will be sharing with you the best way to learn python. After going through the topics, here is a step-by-step roadmap that you can follow to build a strong foundation in Python:

  1. The basics : Start by learning the basics of the Python language mentioned in the following points. You can use online tutorials or books to learn these concepts.

    • Variables
    • Data types
    • Operators
    • Loops
    • Control Statements

  2. Make small projects : Practice writing code in Python by working on small programming exercises and projects. This will help you get a feel for the language and build your problem-solving skills.

    I personally recommend this to everyone who's trying to learn a new language/technology. Trying to solve a real-life problem using a small project gives you a better perspective on what all topics are actually required and how they are used.

  3. Learn the Python standard library : Learn about the standard library of Python, which includes a wide range of modules that provide useful functions and data types. Familiarize yourself with the most commonly used modules, such as :

    • os
    • math
    • random
    • smtp
    • itertools

  4. Built in data types : Learn how to work with data using Python's built-in data types, such as lists, tuples, and dictionaries.

  5. Classes and objects : Learn about object-oriented programming in Python, including concepts such as classes, inheritance, and polymorphism. This will help you design and structure your code in a more organized and reusable way.

  6. Time to explore the world : Learn about packages/libraries and try using various popular third party libraries such as :

    • Pandas: a library for working with large datasets and data analysis tasks.
    • Matplotlib: a library for creating static, animated, and interactive visualizations.
    • Flask: a web framework for building lightweight web applications.
    • Requests: a library for making HTTP requests.

    There are a lot more third-party libraries available for various use cases, pick any of them and try to use them in your project/code.

  7. Advanced projects : As you continue to learn and practice Python, try to work on more advanced projects and challenges to apply your skills and learn new concepts. Some of the advanced concepts that we recommend are :

    • API development with Python
    • Web scraping with Python
    • CRUD operation on excel files with Pandas
    • Simple desktop applications
    • Unit testing a python script / API

  8. Learn together :: Consider joining online communities or forums for Python developers to get feedback and support from others. We recommend following us on Twitter @PythonRoadmap to receive daily python facts and byte-size content. You can also mention us for help, we will be happy to help you out.

Frequently Asked questions

Is it difficult to learn Python ?

Not at all, Python is one of the easiest programming languages to learn. It is a high-level language, which means that it is easy to read and write. Once you are comfortable with basics of programming, it's almost as if you are writing instructions in english.

How long does it take to learn Python ?

It depends on how much time you can dedicate to learning Python. If you are a beginner, you can learn the basics of Python in a few weeks. However, it will take a lot more time to master the language and become a proficient Python developer.

What can we build using Python ?

You can build pretty-much anything with Python. Majorly it's used for web development, data science and artificial intelligence. But you can also use it to build desktop applications, games, and even robots.

Conclusion

So, what did we learn ? Overall, the key to building a strong foundation in Python is to practice regularly and continually challenge yourself to learn and apply new concepts.