How to Learn Python- Complete Guide to learn Python

If you’ve spent any time researching web development and programming, you’ve seen or heard people talking about the programming language Python.

According to The Economist(opens in a new tab), Python is surging toward the title of the world’s most popular programming language. That matters because the more popular a coding language is, the more employers start using it as their language of choice—and that means knowing how to use Python gets you hired (particularly important if you’re looking to recession-proof your skillset). 

“Great,” you say, “that all makes a lot of sense.” But there’s one problem: how do you start learning Python? 

We’ve put together this guide on exactly how to learn Python. From what Python is, to how it’s used, to where to learn it (and much, much more), this guide will explain everything you ever wanted to know…and then some. 

By the way, don’t feel like you have to take it all in in one sitting. Bookmark this page, come back as often as you like, and take your time working through all the other linked articles and resources. Next thing you know, you’ll be a Python pro!

What is Python?

What is Python? Python is a general-purpose coding language—which means that, unlike HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, it can be used for other types of programming and software development besides web development.

What kinds of things, you ask? We’ll go into even more detail about what Python is used for later in the article, but the general list includes: 

• Back end (or server-side) web and mobile app development
• Desktop app and software development
• Processing big data and performing mathematical computations
• Writing system scripts (creating instructions that tell a computer system to “do” something)

BUT WHY IS IT CALLED PYTHON?

One quick note that we need to add here:

Python’s name is neither a complicated tech metaphor nor a complicated acronym. Python is named after Monty Python.

Yes, THAT Monty Python.

According to Python.org(opens in a new tab), “When he began implementing Python, Guido van Rossum was also reading the published scripts from ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’…he needed a name that was short, unique, and slightly mysterious, so he decided to call the language Python.”

You’ve got to love a programming language built with a sense of humor, right?

WHO SHOULD LEARN PYTHON?

So, does Python’s broad range of uses mean tech newbies should stick to more familiar-sounding web development languages? No way! Python’s range might sound intimidating, but it’s known for being an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use programming language. And that means Python is a good language to learn for:  

• Beginning coders
• Web and mobile app developers
• Software engineers
• Data Scientists
• Anyone else working with or learning about computer programming!

WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN PYTHON

You can read a whole lot more about exactly why YOU should start learning and using Python, but for now, consider these top four reasons:

1. THERE ARE LOTS OF PYTHON JOBS

As of this writing, Indeed.com(opens in a new tab) lists almost 69,000 Python-related job openings in roles ranging from quality assurance engineer and entry-level software engineer positions to high-level jobs like machine learning and artificial intelligence engineers.

2. PYTHON DOESN’T TAKE LONG TO LEARN

For as powerful a language as Python is, it’s also surprisingly easy to learn. Industry professionals say you can learn Python basics (Python’s syntax, keywords, and data types) in as little as 6-8 weeks(opens in a new tab) if you have previous experience with coding languages. 

3. YOU CAN LEARN PYTHON BASICS FOR FREE

No! It’s NOT too good to be true! You can learn those Python basics without spending a cent. Don’t believe us? Check out this comprehensive (and FREE) Python tutorial directly from the Python Software Foundation’s official website(opens in a new tab).

4. PYTHON IS THE POPULAR KID

Like we mentioned earlier, Python is quickly becoming the world’s most popular coding language. The last thing you want to do is invest the money and time to learn a language that isn’t widely used enough to land a job. With Python, that’s NOT going to be a problem.

What is Python Used For?

Now you have an idea of what Python is— and why it’s a good idea to start learning how to use it—how about some clearer examples of what Python is used FOR? You can take super-deep dive into Python, its uses, and the industries that rely on it here, but here’s the TLDR version.

Python’s primary uses include:

1. GENERAL WEB DEVELOPMENT / BUILDING WEB APPS

One of Python’s main gigs is as a scripting language, helping to build websites and web applications. “But wait a minute,” you might say. “Isn’t JavaScript a scripting language used for web development? If I already know JavaScript, does that make Python redundant?”

Not at all!

Yes, both JavaScript and Python are used to write web dev-related scripts, but while JavaScript is most commonly used on the front end of websites and apps (the parts that people see on their screen and interact with), Python is put to work on the back end (building and maintaining the unseen infrastructure that makes websites and applications work).   

Python’s combination of being simple to use (based on its English language-oriented syntax) and the availability of Python libraries and frameworks like Pyramid(opens in a new tab), Django(opens in a new tab), and Flask(opens in a new tab), all combine to make it a ubiquitous presence in back end web projects.

2. SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING + DATA SCIENCE + MACHINE LEARNING

Python is also used for scientific computing and data science. It even has several science-friendly or science-specific libraries including:

• AstroPy (opens in a new tab)for astronomy
• BioPython(opens in a new tab) for biology and bioinformatics
• Graph-Tool(opens in a new tab) for statistical analysis of graphs
• PsychoPy(opens in a new tab) for neuroscience and experimental psychology

And if data science isn’t sciencey enough for you, Python is also a mainstay language for machine learning (a tech field focused on artificial intelligence). Python’s machine learning libraries and frameworks including scikit-learn and TensorFlow.

How and Where to Learn Python

Sold on Python? Great! Wondering how to start learning it? Even better! 

As flexible and powerful a programming language as Python is, you might think it takes years to learn. You’d be wrong. Similar to languages like JavaScript, the consensus is that Python basics can be learned in under a year, and sometimes in as little as a month or two (depending on how many hours you dedicate). I repeat: you can learn Python in a matter of months. 

Not only can you learn Python in a very reasonable time frame, but you can also start learning it for FREE. 

How? Just like other coding languages, free, quality resources abound for learning Python basics, including:

• Learnpython.org(opens in a new tab)
• The Python Foundation’s Beginner’s Guide(opens in a new tab)
• Python-Guide.Org Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python(opens in a new tab)
• Real Python: Learn Python Programming By Example(opens in a new tab)
• Google’s Python Class(opens in a new tab)
• Codecademy: Learn Python(opens in a new tab)
• w3schools Python Tutorial(opens in a new tab)

Again, all of these beginner Python courses and tutorials are free of charge, and you can take them online from the comfort of your couch. Still, to master Python you’ll eventually want to invest in a paid, instructor-led class. When that time comes, look no further than our own brand new Skillcrush Python Course launching this Fall.

Bonus: Python Programming Examples and Python Tools

If you’re ready to start learning Python for yourself, we’d like to leave you with a few bonus resources to help you out: a collection of actual Python code snippets to show you how the language actually works (and to inspire you to try some beginner projects of your own), and a list of Python IDEs and Code Editors that will make your Python coding process that much easier.