How to master Python programming?

Practice and gaining experience through it bears fruit, sooner or later, and the coolest thing in Python development is that you can always improve.

The process of learning programming

So you want to know how top Python developers made it? Or, to be precise, how and where are they still learning? The key to success and the winner’s mindset is based on ‘doing’ approach. Even if you feel already quite comfy with the vast majority of Python syntax and semantics, there is always a room to improve. No matter if your final goal is to get the job of your dreams, getting a raise at your current work, personal development or you need to get to know better the Python programming to finish a side project.

If you are already familiar with any programming language then you know, that this isn’t piece of cake and it needs time to become better in it. Regardless of the way you will pursue your dream to master a programming language or finally build fully functional web applications with Python, it will take time and patience. Here are few ways to improve from a Junior or Mid-level Python developer to a total coding rockstar.

1. Code

Seems so obvious, right? Let’s start with this most typical answer which in fact is so true. The best way to get better in programming is to actually code. Period.

Learning by doing approach can get you from a nubie to a senior python developer.

If you are already dropping some lines of code at work but you would like to find a new way to use Python or maybe you want to dig into Flask while at work you are using Django, then practice in your free time. No matter how many courses, meetups or hackathons will you attend, there is no other way to do that than simply code.

2. Be active in the programming community

The best way to improve is to learn from those which are more experienced. Of course you can do it even if you don’t want to leave your home but first let’s focus on events tailor-made for developers.

Meetups, hackathons, conferences, and workshops - where the coding magic happens. You can boost your motivation, talk with other programmers, grow your network and find new problems to solve. There is no better way to improve your skills than constantly pushing yourself to the limits. Moreover, while working together with other developers, you can always learn something new not only due to the main project but because their approach might be totally different than yours. Some events like DevCollege, Django Hotspot or PyCon are recurring, others are occasional and cozier, usually as a gross roots initiative based on location, particular programming language or a meeting in a coworking space for freelance devs. Meetups like this are usually announced on Facebook groups or services like meetup (for international community). If you are living in a mid-size town or a bigger city, there is no chance you won’t have the ability to work with other programmers after hours. In case you wonder how a Python conference looks like, you can find valuable insights into reports: PyCon PL 2017 and PyCon PL 2018 (spoiler alert: it’s fun!).

3. Additional courses and webinars

The amount of online courses is insane - some of them are for free (YouTube videos, blogs), others are paid. If you are lacking knowledge and you know exactly what you want to learn - find an expert on services like Udemy or Coursera and for a small fee (usually there are discounts), get the knowledge you are craving for.

Again I have to mention Dev College - one of our events. Dev College is not only theory but also a workshop.

4. Teach and get taught

As simple as it is, get involved in online communities like StackOverflow, GitHub, HackerRank or even Quora. You can work there on some open source projects or just answer questions to people that are not at your level, yet.

Basically the more valuable knowledge you can put out there, the higher your reputation as an uprising expert will be. Also, well-known truth is, you can deeply understand something only if you are able to explain it in the simplest words. Obviously, it works both ways - whenever you have a question, most likely there is someone that can answer it and help you solve a particular problem. You might also find mentors or… dig in the code of services and applications you are charmed by or check the best Python content and its source code to learn how they did it.

5. Find your niche

Luckily, in programming, you simply can’t get bored and say “I know it all, that’s it”.

If you feel like you have gained enough knowledge in general use of a particular language, try to find what gives you the most joy. Some devs are more into building apps, other prefer data analysis or machine learning and AI. In Python programming, there are plenty of areas in which you can apply the language. However, if you feel like i.e. particular framework doesn’t suit you well, just learn a different one. Ever thought about switching to Django? Furthermore, programming languages are constantly changing so you can’t get bored! However, not to get crazy with new updates which are happening constantly, focus on particular aspects of the Python development and master it. Become an expert in the field that interests you the most, instead of trying to learn it all. In the end, programming is more about the process path than ‘learned-by-heart commands’.

Do great stuff

For those that are searching for knowledge, there are many possibilities to get it. However, no matter if you choose a conference or decide to follow the #python thread on StackOverflow, the most important aspect is to DO. There is nothing that could replace experience gained by trial and error method. The only way to learn by experience is to actually code, so find a project that thrills you and start writing!