Advice on Beginning to Learn Python
The Real Python Podcast
LLMs as Assistants, Not Teachers
Martin describes LLMs as productivity assistants better suited for getting work done than for deep learning.
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
Show Links:
- Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence: Real Python’s intensive Python training program with live expert instruction
- 11 Beginner Tips for Learning Python Programming – Tutorial
- Episode #4: Learning Python Through Errors
- Automate the Boring Stuff with Python
- Download Python - Python.org
- Visual Studio Code - Code Editing Redefined
- Python 3.12 Preview: Ever Better Error Messages – Real Python
- Claude Code - Claude
- Back on the Track - Stephen Gruppetta
- Exploring Scopes and Closures in Python – Video Course
- Writing Idiomatic Python – Video Course
- Episode #71: Start Using a Debugger With Your Python Code
- awesome-python: An opinionated list of awesome Python frameworks, libraries, software and resources
Level up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:
The AI-powered Podcast Player
