What’s changed about learning Python over the last few years? What new techniques and updated advice should beginners have as they start their journey? This week on the show, Stephen Gruppetta and Martin Breuss return to discuss beginning to learn Python.

We share techniques for finding motivation, building projects, and learning the fundamentals. We provide advice on installing Python and not obsessing over finding the perfect editor. We also examine incorporating LLMs into learning to code and practicing asking good questions.

Stephen shares details about our upcoming eight-week live course, Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence. Check out realpython.com/live to learn more and reserve your spot.

Course Spotlight: 11 Beginner Tips for Learning Python

In this course, you’ll see several learning strategies and tips that will help you jumpstart your journey towards becoming a successful Python programmer.

Topics:

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:02:36 – Martin’s teaching background
00:02:57 – Stephen’s teaching background
00:04:07 – Having a vested interest in learning
00:08:35 – No shortcut to learning the fundamentals
00:09:21 – Parallels to learning a foreign language
00:12:43 – What’s different about starting to learn Python now?
00:15:03 – Stephen’s journey to coaching and using LLMs
00:16:20 – Are LLMs helpful for learning?
00:18:50 – Teaching what you’ve learned to someone else
00:19:38 – Learning how to ask good questions
00:22:11 – Improved error messages
00:24:35 – REPL: Read Evaluate Print Loop
00:26:33 – Video Course Spotlight
00:27:48 – Installing Python and choosing an editor
00:35:16 – Considering the scale of beginner projects
00:37:39 – Should a beginner be concerned with making Pythonic code?
00:40:55 – Using LLM tools and defining your level of skill
00:42:39 – Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence - live course
00:47:32 – Looking at projects - Awesome Python
00:48:02 – Asking an LLM to explain the code generated
00:50:46 – Debuggers and seeing code run
00:51:23 – Thanks and goodbye

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