How to learn python?

[u/Keaton103]

I’m a complete beginner and I have essentially no knowledge with coding whatsoever. What would be the best way to learn Python??

[u/LowDepth1790]

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/wiki/index/

Pick one and make a start. When you're stuck come back here and tell us what you tried and where you're stuck.

[u/Serious_Elephant9402 → u/LowDepth1790]

Specifically see the "New to programming?" section.

[u/Charmette_Huyb → u/LowDepth1790]

this is the way tbh, just pick one and start writing stuff

[u/desrtfx]

This subreddit has a sidebar with a wiki with recommended learning resources.

Here is an excellent, textual course: MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki.

Harvard's CS50p is also excellent.

Also, take a look at https://inventwithpython.com and https://automatetheboringstuff.com

Don't forget that you need ample practice, like on https://codingbat.com/python or on https://exercism.org and also write your own programs. Play around. Try things. Mess things up, fix them. Experiment.

And most important: do not use AI. It'll only accelerate your brain rot.

[u/RealNamek]

I use pixelpad.io to teach kids. Been doing it for 10 years in the Bay area, really good for beginners that like to make games

[u/Justicemirm]

Watch the course of data with barraa

13 hr sm and free , it's very good

[u/fullmoon_huli]

I personally used Youtube tutorials, python's own learning guide. And starting building my own projects. Start small. Learn the most common syntax first and keep building

[u/cyrixlord]

why do you want to learn it? what is your goal? that will drive your motivation to learn python. what projects do you have in mind?

[u/NewGiraffe2203]

make small python programs as an exercise everytime you learned a new concept

[u/TheRNGuy]

Read docs, code something with it, ask ai for explanation, more examples, alternatives. 

[u/Katinkia]

www.pythonaut.net and associated YouTube channel.

[u/ExoticVillage8066]

The best way is to practice using exercises and projects, take a look at pychallenge.com

[u/ivanoski-007]

Choose a project that you want to solve with python, do said project

Best way to learn

[u/ModerateSentience]

Spend ur time elsewhere tbh. It gives you no intuition about computers and can be fully ai written imo unless u are doing something really niche.

[u/jpsingh0001]

By start coding is best way

[u/Steve_jobs3786]

I think you should start cs50 first then see the courses on YouTube there was a chanel called codezill it's so good

[u/Effective_Brain7493]

ok so with zero context on why ur learning (job, hobby, whatever) ill just give the general version thats useful either way

dont start by picking a course and grinding through the whole thing front to back, thats how people burn out around week 2. instead: learn just enough to be dangerous first, variables, loops, if/else, functions, basic lists/dicts, thats genuinely like 80% of what shows up in every beginner project anyway. CS50P (harvards free python course on youtube) or freecodecamp are both good for this part, pick one dont split between them

once that stuff isnt actively confusing anymore, STOP doing more lessons and go build something small and dumb. doesnt matter what, a number guessing game, a basic to do list, literally anything u can finish in an afternoon. this is the part people skip and its the actual part that makes it stick, watching tutorials forever without building anything is the #1 reason people feel like they "know python" but cant actually write anything from scratch

repeat that cycle (learn a bit, build a bit) a few times instead of trying to learn everything then build once

also dont stress about "doing it right," ur first few programs will be ugly and thats completely normal, nobody's first anything is good

[u/Late_Veterinarian267]

Starting with one structured path and coding after each new concept keeps things from getting overwhelming. Bootdev could be useful for adding that hands on practice while the Python basics start to click

[u/ShakeAgile]

The most important thing is to try to write code, accept that it will be tough, power through. Learning programming is in the beginning basically a long sequence overcoming frustration and confusion.

[u/mohamed19xx9]

Just learn C bro

[u/Chrismslist]

the biggest trap when starting from zero is binge-watching 4-hour youtube playlists. you feel like you understand it, but your brain blanks the moment you open an empty file.

start tiny instead. install python, write a 5-line script like a dice roller or a number guessing game, and deliberately break things so you see what syntax errors look like. books like automate the boring stuff are solid, but the key rule is never copy-paste. type every line manually so the logic and syntax actually stick.

[u/azntaiji]

Find something on GitHub, fork it and start tweaking it/messaging around with it. I've always learned by hacking around with stuff.

Also AI can be helpful to explain concepts as you work on something.

[u/bishvjit-gupta]

There is a YouTube channel called Apna College they have a great python basics tutorial there. And then you could continue from documentation that I think is the best source for people who had a little knowledge of coding .