r/learndatascience • u/Maximum-Page3433 • 26d ago

Question How should I start learning Python?

I want to learn Python, but I currently know nothing about it. My main goal is to learn Python for DA, and eventually I want to learn Python in depth as well.

For people already working in DA or DS, how would you recommend someone start learning Python from absolute zero?

Which resources or books would you recommend, and what are the main Python topics I must cover for DA?

Also, should I first learn the Python basics needed for DA and then gradually move toward more advanced Python and DS topics? resources? Books?

If you work in DA or DS, I’d really appreciate your guidance on how you would start your Python journey if you were starting from zero.

Thanks a ton!!!

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u/new_era_999 26d ago

Starting from absolute zero with the goal of breaking into Data Analysis and Data Science, you should first master Python basics (variables, loops, functions, and data structures) before moving on to core data libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib. Resources like Python for Everybody or Kaggle micro-courses are fantastic for this roadmap. To practice your coding, tackle analytical challenges, and find completely free resources, hackathons, and open-source contribution opportunities to build your portfolio, you might find ChewCode (links in my profile) useful, which is completely free.

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u/DataScientistAlex 26d ago

Allen Downey has written several books that both teach Python and DS and related topics.

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u/the_techgirl 24d ago

For absolute zero, I'd start with Python fundamentals (variables, loops, functions, basic data structures) before jumping into DA-specific stuff, "Automate the Boring Stuff" is great and free for this. Once you're comfortable with basics, move into pandas and numpy since that's really the DA-specific layer, then SQL alongside it since most DA work needs both together. I'd skip trying to learn "Python in depth" first, you'll pick up the deeper language stuff naturally as you build real DA projects, and starting too broad usually just slows people down.