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Learning Python - Recommend free resources

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  • 30-05-2021 10:56am
    #1
    wally1990
    Registered Users Posts: 1,222 ✭✭✭


    Hi all

    Background
    M
    30
    Accountant
    No coding experience
    Complete newbie

    I want to start learning 'coding' to help with automating some work tasks and my own general understanding and skills

    I heard python can be highly worthwhile

    Without undertaking an official education /course , is there any free or low cost (100e or less ) courses , tutorials , resources you can recommend to start ?

    Would udemy be any good ?
    Or if you know of anything , that would be greatly appreciated


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    #2
    storker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,658 ✭✭✭storker


    I started learning Python in my spare time a couple of months ago, along with Linux. My main source has been the book "Python by Example" by Nichola Lacey. It uses a programmed instruction approach that teaches you a bit of code and then sets you challenges using that code. My local bookshop ordered for me for €20, so I imagine the Amazon price isn't a million miles away from that. My recommendation would be to start there but that's just because it worked for me.

    FreeCodeCamp has three Python-based courses: "Scientific Computing with Python", "Data Analysis with Python" and "Machine Learning with Python". The first of these appears to cover the basics. FreeCodeCamp starts off with HTML, CSS etc, but I don't think there's anything to stop you starting with any subject you feel like.

    LearnPython.org also has a free series of tutorials from beginner level to more advanced.

    There are also a number of subscription IT training sites if you like learning by video and don't mind signing up for +/- €40 per month, e.g. A Cloud Guru, Pluralsight, ITProTV. If you're on LinkedIn, their premium service includes LinkedIn Learning which has a number of Python courses too.

    Best of luck. I've found Python to be easy to work with and fun to use.


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    #3
    zom
    Registered Users Posts: 1,908 ✭✭✭zom


    wally1990 wrote: »

    Accoutant
    No coding experience

    If you are experienced Accountant you may find python too easy. And unless you seriously want to follow data science path, there are better ways into coding. Watch this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO1ctUNQ1k8

    I know people who used python coding for windows task automation - you can use frameworks like TKinker to create your own tools to streamline repetitive tasks like data sheet merging. But as I said, python will be not a challenge for you, it is good for kids ;)


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    #4
    Daawaa
    Registered Users Posts: 69 ✭✭Daawaa


    Sololearn is a good resource for starting off in coding. It uses a structured progressive approach with interactive 'quizes' throughout.

    I would recommend downloading the Android/iOS app (go to their respective app stores and search for 'sololearn python' ) - as it is handy to have it on your phone/tablet on a bus or when you're out and about etc.

    They also have this course on their website - but not sure if this syncs your progress with the mobile app - so I would choose one or the other and go from there.

    https://www.sololearn.com/learning/1073


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    #5
    IraqiJaki
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭IraqiJaki


    I did a free course on ecollege.ie back in February and the cost of the Microsoft MTA exam is covered as part of the course. Second half of the course is more in depth but overall I found it very thorough and I was new to programming and found the course excellent.


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    #6
    JackTC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 127 ✭✭JackTC


    I found this guy to be the best

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL82YdDfxhWsDJTq5f0Ae7M7yGcA26wevJ


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    #7
    Talisman
    Registered Users Posts: 6,149 ✭✭✭Talisman


    If you want to learn Python with a view to using it for data analysis then you can pick up the basics for free on Kaggle.

    HumbleBundle.com have a couple of Python related bundles at the moment that are very good value for money:

    Humble Book Bundle: Learn You More Python by No Starch Press (Offer Expires June 7th)

    Humble Software Bundle: Python Development (Offer Expires June 17th)


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    #8
    Lucas Hood
    Registered Users Posts: 7,205 ✭✭✭Lucas Hood


    Places like freecodecamp on YouTube.

    Lots of good python content.

    I did a 6 or 8 week course with CCT college this year.

    It was 86 euro for course I think

    https://www.cct.ie/course/python-programming-modular-diploma-funded/

    Also check out /r/python & r/learnpython on Reddit.


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    #9
    zom
    Registered Users Posts: 1,908 ✭✭✭zom


    Lucas Hood wrote: »
    I did a 6 or 8 week course with CCT college this year.
    It was 86 euro for course I think
    https://www.cct.ie/course/python-programming-modular-diploma-funded/
    Is there some project included in this course? Any job prospect after the course?


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    #10
    Sabre0001
    Registered Users Posts: 7,499 ✭✭✭Sabre0001


    Automate the boring stuff is very good. Some of it is on YouTube but the course's website has a pdf for free too (I think an older version but good stuff all the same)

    🤪



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    #11
    StupidLikeAFox
    Registered Users Posts: 7,703 ✭✭✭StupidLikeAFox


    Sabre0001 wrote: »
    Automate the boring stuff is very good. Some of it is on YouTube but the course's website has a pdf for free too (I think an older version but good stuff all the same)

    There is also a udemy course from the same guy which follows the book, but with video tutorials, these can generally be got for around 20 quid. This guy/book constantly pops up in reddit threads asking the same question


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    #12
    Mickeroo
    Administrators, Computer Games Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 32,238 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Mickeroo


    The udemy course of Automate the Boring Stuff is regularly free too.

    Worth keeping an eye on the udemy free courses thread in bargain alerts too, there's regularly python courses on that (no guarantee of quality though).

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=117369505#post117369505

    I found the Zero to Mastery python course on udemy pretty good, 30 hours of tutorials, gives a good taster of lots of different areas you can specialise in: https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-python-developer-zero-to-mastery/


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    #13
    Lucas Hood
    Registered Users Posts: 7,205 ✭✭✭Lucas Hood


    zom wrote: »
    Is there some project included in this course? Any job prospect after the course?

    2 small project (ca's). Its the basics that's all really. Good place to start.


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    #14
    One More Toy
    Registered Users Posts: 3,766 ✭✭✭One More Toy


    storker wrote: »
    I started learning Python in my spare time a couple of months ago, along with Linux. My main source has been the book "Python by Example" by Nichola Lacey. It uses a programmed instruction approach that teaches you a bit of code and then sets you challenges using that code. My local bookshop ordered for me for €20, so I imagine the Amazon price isn't a million miles away from that. My recommendation would be to start there but that's just because it worked for me.

    FreeCodeCamp has three Python-based courses: "Scientific Computing with Python", "Data Analysis with Python" and "Machine Learning with Python". The first of these appears to cover the basics. FreeCodeCamp starts off with HTML, CSS etc, but I don't think there's anything to stop you starting with any subject you feel like.

    LearnPython.org also has a free series of tutorials from beginner level to more advanced.

    There are also a number of subscription IT training sites if you like learning by video and don't mind signing up for +/- €40 per month, e.g. A Cloud Guru, Pluralsight, ITProTV. If you're on LinkedIn, their premium service includes LinkedIn Learning which has a number of Python courses too.

    Best of luck. I've found Python to be easy to work with and fun to use.

    Hello

    Thanks for this, is the book you referenced up to date? It was published in 19. Gonna grab it on prime day if you currently recommend it

    Thanks


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    #15
    storker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,658 ✭✭✭storker


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117421114#Comment_117421114

    I missed your reply, sorry. Hope you found the information you were looking for in the meantime. The book is up-to-date in that it uses Python 3 vs Python 2.x



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    #16
    One More Toy
    Registered Users Posts: 3,766 ✭✭✭One More Toy


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117910731#Comment_117910731

    Cheers i actually picked it up, now if only I could find the time!



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    #17
    spakman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,112 ✭✭✭spakman


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117912687#Comment_117912687

    This is why I think I'll end up paying for a scheduled course.

    I'd it's up to me to find the time, there's too many reaons/excuses not to!



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