If you’re thinking about learning Python, you’re not alone. Thousands of learners across the globe embark on the same journey every day. One of the most common questions they want to know is, “Is Python Easy to Learn?”
Python is one of the easiest programming languages out there, making it perfect for beginners. This article will examine how easy Python is to learn and share actionable advice for speeding up the process.
Is Python Easy to Learn?
The answer to this question depends on at least five equally essential factors:
1. Your Background
In general, Python is an easy programming language compared to languages such as Java, C++, and others. Still, if you come from a completely different background, getting used to how programming languages work will take some time. Still, you can expect to get a grasp of it in a matter of a few weeks.
2. Your Motivation
Let’s face it: It’s hard to learn just about anything when you lack motivation. Your motivation levels may be the most important factor when it comes to the level of difficulty in learning Python. You’re certainly going to face some confusion and uncertainty during the process.
Think of learning Python as learning a spoken language like Spanish or French. The grammar will sometimes be confusing, and you’ll be saying some words wrong. But when you’re motivated, you’ll put extra effort into overcoming these difficulties, and learning will be easy and enjoyable.
3. Your Starting Point
Whether or not Python is easy for you to learn depends on your Python skills. Do you already have basic knowledge, or are starting to code from scratch? As stated previously, your background can dictate how easy or hard it will be for you to learn Python.
4. Your Schedule
Learning Python requires time. Much like learning a foreign language, it’s best to dedicate at least 20 minutes each day to the process instead of putting in a two-hour study session once a week. So, whether you have enough time to create a daily working schedule can determine whether learning Python is difficult or easy.
Even though it takes a relatively short time to get used to Python’s syntax and functionality, it may not be enough to dedicate just one hour per week to learn this programming language.
5. The Learning Resources
Imagine learning French by watching a TV show with no subtitles available in your native language. Not only would you feel overwhelmed, but you would most likely drop efforts at learning after a few days. Even though the show may be fun, you won’t be able to understand the basic dialogue and need different resources that are better suited for your level.
The same goes for learning Python. It’s crucial that you find resources that are suited to your particular learning needs and level. Luckily, there are plenty of hands-on courses and platforms where you can get real-time coding experience from Day 1.
While studying theory is important in mastering Python, it’s necessary to put all that theory into practice. Given that there are readily available interactive sessions where you can run Python codes, getting in the practice shouldn’t be an issue. Just remember to implement it as an essential part of learning this fun language.
Why Python Is Easy
Python is considered an easy programming language that’s suitable for beginners. But why exactly is Python easy to learn?
Well, Python’s syntax is very similar to that of the English language. If you’re a novice programmer, you’ll appreciate these similarities as they’ll allow you to grasp the language faster.
Also, the focus in Python is on code readability. It’s an overall easy programming language to understand compared to Java, for example. You can also test programs faster with this beginner-friendly language, and it’s all thanks to its concise syntax.
If you compare C++ or Java with Python, you’ll notice that the latter has much shorter code lines.
Also, the versatility of Python is a huge advantage. You can perform data analysis, back-end web development, web scraping, build desktop applications, and much more, all while using a simple syntax.
Finally, the availability of libraries and resources makes Python one of the most robust, but also easiest-to-learn programming languages out there.
Do I Need Math to Learn Python?
If you remember basic math skills from high school, you’ll be good to go when it comes to learning Python.
You don’t need to be good at math but simply have the basic mathematical ability. Your communication skills are likely to be more important for coding and landing a job than your math skills.
Tips for Learning Python
You can make learning Python easier by following the tips below.
1. Code Regularly
Consistency is key when learning any language, and Python is no exception. Try to make a commitment to code for at least 20 minutes each day. Doing so will help you develop the memory muscle that, believe it or not, plays an important part in learning to code.
When you think about it, you most likely spend more than 20 minutes daily scrolling your social media feed. Switching that focus to coding for 20 minutes is therefore realistic, and you can build your skills up as you become more used to the action.
2. Take Notes and Track Your Progress
It’s important to track your progress and take notes of your learning as soon as you begin the journey. Taking hand-written notes will reinforce long-term retention but will also help you prepare for developer interviews that often include handwriting code on a whiteboard.
It’s ideal to write down the classes and functions you’ll need before switching to code on your computer. You can also jot down how these functions will interact.
3. Be Interactive
No matter what you’re learning in Python, make sure to use the interactive Python shell. You can use this interactive tool for practicing lists, strings, dictionaries, and other data structures. All you need to do is install Python on your computer, open the terminal, and run “python” or “python3,” depending on the installation type.
4. Take a Break
The danger of focusing too much on a single task can cause us to burn out. Set regular breaks when learning to code, and make sure you respect that time. For example, you can try the Pomodoro technique, where you’d study actively for 25 minutes, then take a five-minute break.
If you’re just a beginner, stick to around 30 minutes of daily learning. As you advance, you’ll naturally increase that time.
When you get to the debugging part, take a break if you can’t figure out where the bug lies right away. Go for a walk, listen to your favorite song, or chat with your friend.
In programming, fresh eyes can make a huge difference in finding bugs since the code must follow strict logic and rules.
5. Don’t Be Frustrated by Bugs – Embrace Them
As you get more experience with Python, you’ll start creating more bugs too. This is an inevitable part of the learning process that happens to everyone. The important thing is not to be frustrated and demotivated by making mistakes.
In fact, you should do quite the opposite – embrace those moments and come up with a strategy for debugging that will work for you. For example, you can go through the code that showed an error exactly in the order in which you executed it. Then, check that each part works well until you come to the section that doesn’t.
6. Join the Community
Python is one of the world’s most popular programming languages. With more than 10 million Python developers, you can expect to find a thriving community of coders online. Surround yourself with people who are also starting to learn Python and go through the process together. Learning together is always double fun!
7. Teach Python
Teaching a topic is the best way to learn. You probably heard this statement before, and you can now start applying it to your Python learning. It doesn’t matter which method you choose – writing a blog, talking to yourself in front of the mirror, or at the computer recording videos. The important part is that you get to explain the concepts you learned and solidify your understanding of the topic.
This method will also help you identify your gaps.
8. Ask the Right Questions
When it comes to programming, it’s sometimes possible to ask a “bad” question. To have someone help you, you must provide them with specific information so they can understand your query.
First, you should give context to the task you try to complete. Then, you want to outline the steps you’ve already tried to fix the problem. It’s always a good idea to offer a guess at what could solve the problem as well. Finally, you want to demo the problem. Insert the code, explain the steps you executed, and the traceback error message.
When you include all this information, the person that tries to help you won’t have to recreate the problem on their end. So, by asking good questions, you’ll save a lot of time for everyone.
Demystifying the “Is Python Easy to Learn” Question
If you wondered, “Is Python easy to learn?” before reading this article, you should now have your answer. In short, nothing is hard when you’re motivated and use the right resources.
The simplicity of Python’s syntax, availability of libraries, and a thriving community make learning this programming language easy. And you may well benefit enough to kickstart a software engineer career. With enough patience and the right mindset, you’ll learn Python much faster than you think!
