Ask HN: Python for non-programmers?

5 points by emcf 8 years ago | 9 comments

I am noob to coding. I don't know math at all. I want to learn coding and build some web apps. Is learning python good choice for non-programmer nontechnical person?

What would you suggest me?

What courses, books, video you recommend to learn python.

PaulHoule 8 years ago |

Python is a very practical language for the "non-professional programmer" who wants to do some simple automation, turn their subject matter expertise into code, etc.

Python is also a language that professional programmers can stand to use (and even like), so it is possible you can collaborate on a cross-functional team, scale up without having to do a total rewrite, etc.

Cozumel 8 years ago |

Learn Python the Hard Way https://learnpythonthehardway.org/

Don't let the title put you off, it's very accessible and you'll learn a lot.

sevensor 8 years ago | |

Another good suggestion, along with the sibling's Automate the Boring Stuff. Much more focused on building up the fundamentals through practice. Automate the Boring Stuff is a cookbook. LPTHW will teach you how to create your own recipes.

FroshKiller 8 years ago |

I'd feel comfortable recommending Python to a beginner who was committed to learning. I found the book Automate the Boring Stuff With Python very good from that perspective. It takes advantage of Python's "batteries included" nature to teach you the basics and solve some real workaday problems.

https://automatetheboringstuff.com/

sevensor 8 years ago | |

I agree with the recommendation. Automate the Boring Stuff is a great premise and a decent execution. But I'm really concerned by the OP's comment about not knowing math. As in, how much math don't you know? You don't need to be able to solve ODEs or multiply matrices to write Python, or in general unless your field of endeavor calls for it. But I've found that people who have a hard time with basic algebra have a hard time with life. Basic algebra at least, but ideally trigonometry, transcendental functions, and conic sections. People who don't know math think, "when would I ever use that?" The answer is "way more often than you would expect." When you don't know what you're missing, you have to invent bad answers to solved problems, or do without.

jakeway 8 years ago | | |

Would you mind giving some examples of how not knowing about transcendental functions and conic sections would make someone have a hard time with life?

RUG3Y 8 years ago | | |

I'm sorry, you're not going to need that kind of math for basic web development. Source: I do web dev every day and use little to zero math.

mjhea0 8 years ago |

Check out Real Python (https://realpython.com), if you're looking to learn the syntax and then move into web development.