I am looking to learn python. Not ready to start a course yet but would appreciate any feedback if you undertake it
Discussion
Download anaconda. They have a quick tutorial on their site to get started. I was up and running in a couple of hours.
Thanks mainstreet. Link??
https://www.anaconda.com/products/distribution
I’ve done some basic stuff before, this was my first time using python and I was able to pick it up quick. Looking for some more projects to take on. I feel like the best way to learn is to get my hands dirty on a project.
Had a quick look. What machine are u using. I was thinking of setting up a VM on my m1 Mac. Any suggestions which one I should download
I’m currently using windows 11. I also run a WSL2 - Linux subsystem with Ubuntu, but the anaconda’s on the windows machine. Worked out well…. I’ve seen a lot of people in the tutorials I’ve seen on the internet using mac’s, I think that would work out well.
Thanks. I was going to set up a VM using virtual box and put unbutu on it. So do I just then download one of these anaconda versions as a separate one or within unbutu. I’m a bit confused. Coming from a low base.
I’m not an expert by any means… but I think you have 2 options, but I think from what you are saying you are leaning to option2
1. Download the anaconda for windows and run it on your windows machine
2. Do everything you are saying about the VM with Ubuntu, get that all set up, then from the Ubuntu download anaconda onto the Ubuntu machine.
Hope that helps.
Great will explore. Thanks for the help
I use Pycharm on a Linux machine
https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/
Interesting, never looked at pycharm. I’ve really been liking Jupyter Labs on the anaconda, a lot of what I’ve done to date is more data engineering/manipulation.
I also use Pycharm on Linux daily. It’s got a ton of features.
Looks like you can use pycharm as a separate IDE on anaconda. Maybe that’s cheating but I’m a noob, will check it out
https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/user-guide/tasks/pycharm/
Sorry for the really basic questions. But when you say Linux machine this is what I don’t fully understand. If I set a vm with unbutu is that referred to as a Linux machine?? So what I think I understand is unbutu is a distribtion on Linux so it has the Linux kernel and unbutu puts a whole heap of other stuff on it like python 3
Yes you are thinking of it right from what I understand… you can have a computer that ONLY runs Linux (a true Linux machine) and Ubuntu would be the distribution on it.
OR you can have a VM that runs Linux that then has Ubuntu on it…. In that case you have a computer in a computer.
Yep got it
Yes. What he said. Ubuntu on VM would be Linux
Thanks for your help. The basics are finally sinking in.
Definitely learn Python on Linux. I’ve used it on Windows, and I hate it. MacOS is good too, but nothing beats Linux. If you have android, there’s an app called Pydroid and you can code right on your phone.
Chungus- Is Anaconda your first ever programming language you have done? I can't imagine that you technophile types here don't know more than a little something of software coding. Is that bad conjecture on my part?
In my lifetime I never learned a single coding language. At this point is it even possible for old dogs to learn programming? I'm not an idiot; even if I ask some dumb questions. It would be nice to understand what I'm reading if handed some code. Even better yet, it'd be fun to help contribute to a project. I suspect it's like learning a foreign language.
I'm just musing and should probably stay in my lane and stick to what I'm good at.
Mate that’s me. An old dog learning new tricks. It’s surprisingly easy so far but I find myself asking a lot of dumb questions. Well they seem dumb when I look back but at the time no. I guess the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask
I’d say python is not my first language (Anaconda is the distribution that helps you run the code vs python which is the code itself).
Im not a trained computer science coder, but I’ve dabbled in it throughout my 20 year working career. (I’m not young, but I’m not “old”)
The first language I learned was C++ which was an intro class I took in college. I’ve taught myself Visual Basic to do excel macros for work and taught myself an ANSYS language (any mechanical engineers out there would know what this is).
I just like to learn and get dirty so I’ve always just picked up manuals and started doing stuff.
1. It’s never too late
2. Coding is just logic so anyone can do it
3. To hell with staying in your lane, go break shit!!!
4. The internet is amazing, these new languages make things much easier to code and with YouTube you can find anything you need on the internet, it’s amazing.
I’d say download anaconda and go for it!! Do the tutorial!
Everyone says it but it works. Use ChatGPT to learn the code you want to learn.
Enter the prompt or something similar: act as a tutor. Give me a lesson plan starting from zero to learn (code you want). Include a timeline and a list of resources. I can devote (x time, x number of days a week) to learn.
Whatever it gives you ask for a day by day breakdown etc.
Read the resources, learn the syntax. Each concept you get introduced to ask the AI to suggest a practice problem that uses X concepts. Etc repeat
I've been learning python for a few weeks on replit.com. I also downloaded pycharm to practise out of the replit platform.