How Long Does It Take To Learn Python?

Python is said to be the perfect section of most growing, powerful, popular, and easiest programming languages. The reason behind is that Python was designed to be learned by the kids. But because of the simplicity and popularity, it became a vital programming language for all. Various organizations where Artificial intelligence is used, they make use of Python. You will be amazed to know that the top websites like Quora, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, etc. are built using Python. In this blog, we are going to discuss the use case of Python programming language and the time span you will take to become a Python expert. We will consider two cases:

• Python as a First PL
• Python as a Next-level PL

Programming languages are tools for building something creative. Python is basically a scripting programming language which was initially used in the system administration tasks. If you’re performing system admin related jobs or if you are doing/planning any certification associated with Linux or especially the RedHat or other security certification, Python is bliss! Remember, learning alone the syntax of Loops and If-else stuff is not going to help much. Once you master the loops

How Long Does It Take To Learn Python?

If you are planning Python as a first step or the next step for your career, you must be familiar with the domains where Python is primarily used:-

1). Python in Web Development

Due to the strong emphasis on readability and efficiency, Python is favorite among many developers as compared to other programming languages like Java, C++, or PHP.

Example Java:

public class Hello
{
Public static void main (String[])
{
system.out.println("Hello World!");
}
}

Example PHP

Example C++

Example HTML

You can imagine, Just to display “Hello World” as the output, we have different ways to write it in different languages. It was long, though! Let’s now look at the “Hello World” program written in Python.

print 'Hello, world!'

Even the person with no understanding of Programming Language may understand this code. The simplicity of Python makes it virtuous as it lets you build more functions with just the fewer lines of code.

Read: A Comprehsnive Python Tutorial for Beginners and Professionals

While writing the code for a website, a developer needs to write long lines of code which may overextend to 5000 lines (or maybe more). In such cases writing code snippets using Python is a time-efficient task. Python is a complex language, but it’s not complicated.

Learning Strategy of Python in Web Development

To learn Python for web development, the following topics need to be learned:-

• Basic terminology of Python
• Syntax of Python
• Functions used in Python
• Importing external modules of Python
• Operators and Looping structures
• String manipulation operations
• Regular expressions
• Django framework
• Flask framework
• Familiarity with the web development languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript for the front-end and Nginx and Apache as a server software

2). Python in Pen Testing

Python is said to be the penetration testing tool. Penetration testing means, an attempt to evaluate the security of an IT infrastructure by simulating a cyber-attack against a computer system to exploit vulnerabilities. The Python Penetration Tool helps an organization to strengthen its security against cyber attacks by identifying the vulnerabilities. Due to this reason, Python is used in RedHat or other security-related subjects.

Learning Strategy of Python in Pen Testing

To learn Python for penetration testing, the following topics need to be learned:-

• Basic Networking concepts
• Networking script with Python
• Kali Linux or similar tools for Pen Testing

3). Python in Machine Learning

Machine Learning is a kind of Artificial Intelligence that provides computers with the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. The major focus of Machine Learning is on the development of Computer Programs that may change when exposed to new data.

Learn the libraries like-

• NumPy
• Pandas
• MatplotLib
• SeaBorn, etc.

Python learning roadmap

Based on the information above, let’s divide the total time span required to learn Python.

Here is the roadmap for the people who are going to start learning Python as their first or the next level programming language-

If you already know any programming language, then learning Python will be easy and less time taking for you. Because the concepts and logic behind all the programming languages are the same, the only difference comes in the way you write the code using the particular language syntax.

So, if you are acquainted in a programming language, you will merely take a month to learn the Python programming. Because only you need to learn are the syntax and the way to write in this language. Remember, learning a new programming language is still easy, but to get expertise in that; you need to practice the exercises you have learned continuously. Although, the estimated time of 1 month is enough for the knower of programming but still, don’t think in this period you’ll become an expert. To gain expertise, you need a time span of 2-3 months by spending five hours a day. After all, expertise cannot be estimated, and remember- “Practice makes a man perfect.” All you need is a commitment to yourself. Make a study plan and stick yourself to it. You’ll definitely make it. It actually depends on the commitment and enthusiasm you have to learn a programming language.

Read: How To Write Your First Program In Python?

Let’s now make a study plan for both the categories-People with Python as a First Programming Language and the People with Python as a Next Programming Language.

An estimated plan for beginners-

If you are going to learn a programming language for the first time, there are a dozen of building blocks (variables, strings, loops, functions, ...) that you'll need to understand and practice. Suppose it'll take five hours for a piece of these to learn. We have a total of 60 hours. Add 2-3 practice projects, each of 25-40 hours, and you'll be starting to feel comfortable. That's a total of.. maybe 200 hours; a bit over a month if you're working full time on it, more otherwise. It will be 100 or 300 hours based on how fast you can learn.

If Python is your second language, then it will take half of that time.

Are you ready to learn Python at your own pace? Here are the tips to help you learn Python quickly:

I understand, learning a new language might be stressful in the beginning, but once you start doing it with planning, it will become your habit. How good and relieved it sounds if I tell you that you will be doing Python programming on your own within the next few months. Sounds amazing! Right? As I told you above that, you need to make a 5-hour plan for the next coming days, or I would rather say months. Initially, this 5-hour schedule will be tough to manage into your already busy schedule. But trust me; it’s very achievable even for the person working full-time. Find below a few strategies which will help you spare your hours in learning Python:-

Technical Tips

• Being a beginner, you should learn the following frameworks:
  • Django
  • Flask (Bottle)
  • Jupiter Notebook, etc.
• Explore the libraries like “Beautiful Soap” and the other libraries
• Learn Web Scaping using Python
• Write code snippets to open different file formats like pdf, csv, etc. (This is a great practice to learn Python with hands-on experience)
• Take time in understanding Regular Expressions
• Initially, do not code using Python libraries. Just have a look and feel that how do libraries look like and how they are going to help you in the future.

Expert Tip: Either you are a beginner or learning Python as your next programming language, you should learn the following basic concepts:-

• Classes
• Objects
• Abstraction
• Encapsulation
• Inheritance
• Polymorphism

These concepts are not particular for any programming language because most of the programming languages start with these fundamentals.

Tips to Learn Python

1). Morning learner

Believe me, when I started learning to program, I did it in the early morning. Morning is the best time to spend learning new things. Because your mind is fresh after the night sleep, and morning introduces you with the commitments of a new day. And when you look at the numbers with fresh eyes, you can easily absorb what you learn much better. The most productive time is around the first two hours every day when you wake up. There is no need to sacrifice your sleep. Just go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. And in this way, you can easily manage some overview of Python before bedtime in the night. You can also shuffle the tasks by reserving your morning hours for the review of projects and explore more examples in the night.

It gives you satisfaction when you say- “I stayed up all the night coding.”

2). Log off your movies habit

If you’re already a morning person that is, waking up at 5 am to get to work daily, and the daily wake up is not the best option for you. Stop wasting your crucial time on social media, or watching movies! You can flank your day with data science. After reserving your morning hours for your most important projects, you can review your work or participate in forums before bed to help your proficiency. 

3). Take advantage of the quiet weekends

Practicing every day is the best technique to learn Python. It’s really important to be as consistent as possible, and that’s what weekends are for. If you cannot make time every day early in the morning, then you can keep yourself on track by putting in extra hours of the weekend.

Also, this will be more beneficial to find an uninterrupted in a volume you’ve dedicated to learning Python. Make your weekends more rewarding by taking a walk through the park, your favorite coffee, and sandwich, etc.

Read: Naive Bayes: An Easy To Interpret Classifier

I would like to add here that studying for two or three hours a day is far better than 10-12 hours in one day on the weekend.

4). Join a community of Python programmers

Joining a community will help you to know what exactly other programmers are doing and what strategies or methods they are using. You should join a community of Python developers that will help you stay on track concerning your goal to learn Python. You may join Python meetups or the other communities to network and discuss problems related to Python, troubleshooting problems, or data science projects portfolio related ideas or the code snippets.

5). Plan your learning platform

There are different platforms available which will help you to learn Python. These are:-

A). Online Courses

You might be aware that there are hundreds of websites which offer online courses. This kind of training is conducted over the internet using various software tools and through the video and desktop sharing facility. The advantage of online training is that you may learn at your own pace. At JanBask Training, we provide the online course in Python programming, which is awesome training for the people who are looking for self-paced training in Python. And the certification provided by JanBask Training is like a cherry on the cake.

B). Books

If you want to read the books to get the samples of code, you have the option to do that too. There are numerous books available in Kindle or ebooks format, which may help you gain more knowledge in Python. Other than this, you may also opt for Blogs reading.

C). Coaching Classes

I, myself never prefer coaching classes. But as this is the case of Programming language, it would be beneficial to join some class at for a month to clear your doubts. In the coaching class, you may interact with other students and tutor to discuss Python. You may join a coaching class, either offline or online. It’s up to you!

6). The power of habit

Depending upon your interest and passion for learning Python, you may plan your strategy and learning modes of Python. Learning for everyone is not the same, but once you have an idea of how to learn, and what topics you need to learn, you may formulate a plan that gets you there. Learn by doing it whenever possible and do not get yourself off of this track.

Going Forward

Python is evolving all around. There are only a few people who can claim to understand the programming languages completely, and they are the ones who created this language. Just stick on the constant plan and work on the small projects. If you follow this strategy, then you’ll find yourself coding Python in a few months.! Learn the code with a cherishing smile!

Read: An Introduction to Time Series Analysis with Python

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