Python 1 - About Python

Why Python?

Python is one of the best languages there is for beginning text-based programming. It is more accessible for new programmers than many other languages, and is very forgiving (as programming languages go). It is also a very popular language, which means that there are a lot of learning resources and a huge community of users to go to when you run into issues. Finally, Python is a very powerful language, and is used by professional programmers around the world. So once you have a firm grasp of Python, you have a tool you can use in the real world outside of the classroom as well!

Where is Python used?

Python is a very popular language in a number of areas. It is one of the most popular for data analysis and visualization, and is especially popular with scientists and researchers. It is maybe the most popular language for machine learning and artificial intelligence programming. Python is a great choice for automating everyday tasks, and is very common in areas where larger numbers of computers must be administered. It's also gaining popularity in web development. If you're looking for a Swiss Army knife of a language, Python is for you!

Dealing with frustration

If you're new to text-based programming, it can be very frustrating. Simple typos can mess up your entire program, and it can be difficult to spot where the error is. In fact, this happens no matter how experienced a programmer you are! There are a number of new concepts to master, and sometimes it seems like you have to grasp them all at once. While I think CodeHS does a pretty good job of moving through the basics a bit at a time, there's no getting around the fact that programming takes a different kind of thinking than you're probably used to. If you feel overwhelmed at some point, know that that's normal. Just take a couple deep breaths, or a short break, and try again. You'll be surprised how easy some of the challenges are after you've done them a few times! Learning to deal with the frustrations is just part of programming, and you'll probably find that you develop some skills around frustration that are really useful in other areas of your life as well.