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Is Python the language of choice to teach/learn programming nowadays? I learned to code with Java like 10 years ago. I haven't touched it again after graduatin

Is Python the language of choice to teach/learn programming nowadays? I learned to code with Java like 10 years ago. I haven't touched it again after graduating, and to be honest I was not so fond of the language (too verbose and too much OOP for my taste), but I'm glad I learned the benefits of having static types and a compiler from the start. Obviously, Python is closer to pseudo code than Java, which is also great when you just start learning.

chopraaa 6y ago
The beauty of Python is in the fact than anyone can pick it up. It helps teach logic and programming constructs to people outside software as well. With tech being a core part of many jobs these days it's essential that everyone knows at least the basics. Python is great for that purpose.
Pythaway 6y ago
Depends on what you want to teach/learn. It's a fantastic scripting language, which makes it excellent for people who want to automate computing tasks. Researchers, journalists, academics, administrative roles, etc. But it is very high-level, so it is not a great way to teach/learn how something like a computer, database, or operating system works. I think it's a great way to start teaching or learning programming, since you can keep using it no matter where your career takes you.
analog31 6y ago
I've had about 6 people in my work area learn Python. We're not employed as programmers, but we're scientists in an R&D team. My colleagues varied in experience, some had used Matlab in college, but none had programmed extensively. The scripting aspect is great because you can get useful things done with a few lines and minimal constructs. There's a pile of solved problems on Stackoverflow. Folks can approach it at their own pace and on their own terms, at work or at home. I promise them that if they hate it, I'll refund the price. ;-) Now, germane to the discussion in this thread about installing the packages and so forth. That's a drawback to Python that I tell people about, but my approach is to provide complete hand holding on installation until they've come up to speed on programming. If they've never programmed, then they've probably never approached a computer from the command line or dug into its file structure. So, learning a bit of programming first is a good way to prepare for doing that other stuff. I originally learned BASIC without knowing how to install BASIC on the mainframe. We're a Windows shop, so I help them download and install WinPython. Running into a useful library that WinPython doesn't have is pretty rare, and then a pip install within the WinPython shell usually works.

chopraaa 6y ago

The beauty of Python is in the fact than anyone can pick it up. It helps teach logic and programming constructs to people outside software as well. With tech being a core part of many jobs these days it's essential that everyone knows at least the basics. Python is great for that purpose.

Pythaway 6y ago

Depends on what you want to teach/learn. It's a fantastic scripting language, which makes it excellent for people who want to automate computing tasks. Researchers, journalists, academics, administrative roles, etc. But it is very high-level, so it is not a great way to teach/learn how something like a computer, database, or operating system works. I think it's a great way to start teaching or learning programming, since you can keep using it no matter where your career takes you.

analog31 6y ago

I've had about 6 people in my work area learn Python. We're not employed as programmers, but we're scientists in an R&D team. My colleagues varied in experience, some had used Matlab in college, but none had programmed extensively. The scripting aspect is great because you can get useful things done with a few lines and minimal constructs. There's a pile of solved problems on Stackoverflow. Folks can approach it at their own pace and on their own terms, at work or at home. I promise them that if they hate it, I'll refund the price. ;-) Now, germane to the discussion in this thread about installing the packages and so forth. That's a drawback to Python that I tell people about, but my approach is to provide complete hand holding on installation until they've come up to speed on programming. If they've never programmed, then they've probably never approached a computer from the command line or dug into its file structure. So, learning a bit of programming first is a good way to prepare for doing that other stuff. I originally learned BASIC without knowing how to install BASIC on the mainframe. We're a Windows shop, so I help them download and install WinPython. Running into a useful library that WinPython doesn't have is pretty rare, and then a pip install within the WinPython shell usually works.