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Python is the most popular programming language out there and learning it will give you an advantage in your career. You can use it to build web applications, automate tasks, perform data analysis, and create machine learning models; In short, Python can do anything for you.
How is that possible? Thanks to the support of the open source community that has created and maintained Python packages for all types of tasks and for each field of study. You can even access popular packages for Java, C++, and other languages, as there are Python wrappers available for all of them.
Python is a necessary skill to acquire and will help you transition into a more specialized field. However, it is still complicated for non-technical people or beginners. You have to learn syntax, functions and libraries. Then, you'll have to learn how to use all of these skills to build projects, which will require you to take courses and learn from various resources.
In this blog, we will review free Python courses, books, GitHub repositories, projects, cheat sheets, and online compilers that will help you get started and quickly become an expert in the language.
Python course
I have been guiding students on where to start learning data science and I always recommend starting with Python and SQL. Most of them are not sure about paying a huge amount, so I recommend them to take a top free course and learn the basics, and if they want to improve, they can pay for the course.
The free course in this section covers the basics of Python language syntax and libraries. You'll also learn how to use Python for data analysis and create simple machine learning models. All of the courses in this section are popular and have been highly rated by people who have taken them.
python books
Some people prefer books to courses because they want to take things slow and learn everything about the subject before trying anything. The books mentioned in the list below are popular and written by top personalities in the industry. They include examples, projects, and additional resources to become an experienced Python developer.
Python GitHub Repositories
I always recommend using GitHub as a learning platform. On GitHub, you can find several community-supported repositories that are essential for Python beginners. These repositories provide a “learn by doing” approach and consist of projects, exercises, and problems that you must solve to learn the language. They also come with a list of free tools, frameworks, resources, and everything else you need to build things using the Python language.
Python projects
After learning the basics and getting used to Python syntax, it's time to test your skills by creating projects. Working on Python projects will also help you build a strong portfolio that will eventually help you land a high-paying job. The following list contains projects for all levels, from beginner to expert.
Python Cheat Sheets
Cheat sheets are useful for both experts and students who want to review concepts before an interview or exam. They contain brief information about Python syntax, libraries, and functions for easy review. I use them to prepare for job interviews or when writing technical content.
Online Python Compiler
Only a few have access to personal computers and even though they have a laptop, they want to avoid installing Python and IDE or even running Python files. In this section, I have mentioned the top and free Python developer environments that you can access through your browser, which are ready to use in a few seconds. These platforms are popular and easy to use, so instead of setting up your environment to test code or even learn to code, I suggest students use an online Python interpreter.
Final thoughts
If you're new to Python, I'll say good luck. The language is easy to learn and the resources I have provided in this blog will help you learn it quickly. The only thing I need from you is your dedication. You must dedicate effort and time to learn and gain experience in building the project.
This blog contains a list of free Python resources such as courses, books, repositories, projects, chests, and online compilers. If you still need clarification on where to start, you can write me a proper message on LinkedIn and I will do my best to help you.
Abid Ali Awan (@1abidaliawan) is a certified professional data scientist who loves building machine learning models. Currently, he focuses on content creation and writing technical blogs on data science and machine learning technologies. Abid has a master's degree in technology management and a bachelor's degree in telecommunications engineering. His vision is to build an artificial intelligence product using a graph neural network for students struggling with mental illness.
