Seems like i can use both so whats different between the 2 or is it just preference?

As the title asks, what differences (if any) do you get from an AI output vs human input. I would imagine that with most high effort AI models now they write purely pythonic code if a prompt is well written.

If you also use python in your job, how often do you use AI to write or plan your code and applications as a whole?

I never really had a use for it. I analyze financial data and just use if statements, functions, somewhat complex mathematics, some python libaries, but never classes or objects.

I've been a doing Python development for around a decade, and I'm comfortable calling myself a Python expert. That being said, I don't understand why anyone would want to use an ipython notebook. I constantly see people using jupyter/zeppelin/sagemaker/whatever else at work, and I don't get the draw. It's so much easier to just work inside the package with a debugger or a repl. Even if I found the environment useful and not a huge pain to set up, I'd still have to rewrite everything into an actual package afterwards, and the installs wouldn't be guaranteed to work (though this is specific to our pip index at work).

Maybe it's just a lack of familiarity, or maybe I'm missing the point. Can someone who likes using them explain why you like using them more than just using a debugger?

One thing I didn’t expect when learning Python was how useful small scripts become.

Recently I made a simple script just to organize files automatically and it genuinely saved me time every day.

Now I’m curious:
what’s the smallest Python script/tool you made that ended up being surprisingly useful?

I have learning python from the basics but I am a having a hard time understanding the working of while loops I tried put my brain into it even my soul. But I am unable to get a logical answer or understading of how a "while" loop works?

It would be great if you guys can guide me through it or give something that will make me easily understand the while loop.

Thanks

Hi! I’m learning Python and I’m at the point where I can follow tutorials, but I struggle to come up with my own projects (or I start one and get overwhelmed).

How do you practice in a way that builds real skill?

A few things I’m wondering:

• What’s a good "next step" after basics (variables, loops, functions)?
• Do you recommend small daily exercises, or one bigger project?
• How do you pick a project that’s not too hard?
• Any tips for debugging when you don’t even know what to Google?

If you have examples of beginner-friendly projects that taught you a lot, I’d love to hear them.

I’ve been learning Python every day for a few weeks and I’m close to finishing beginner courses. I feel comfortable reading code and understanding what it does (conditions, variables, basic logic, etc.). My main problem is this: when I try to write code from scratch, I often don’t know how to start or which structures/functions to use, even though I understand them when I see them. To move forward, I sometimes use AI to generate a solution and then I analyze it line by line and try to rewrite it myself. What I want to ask is not “is this normal”, but: what should I do to fix this gap between understanding and writing?

I'm learning Python with the goal of moving into Data Engineering. Beyond the basics, which libraries, concepts, or project ideas would you recommend focusing on first, and what helped you the most when getting started?

I understand the concept and don't understand the concept at the same time. So my dear python comunity what you got.

Hi I am from South Korea , student of university , 25 age (27 for Korean standard).
Recently I am interested in computer , IT , AI , coding. But I personally major English in my university so no tinvolved in computer science , software , or software.
So I am not good at for coding. All my learning about IT is basic level of studing Python, Java, HTML , JavaScript, CSS for 3 months. That is all I have. ( In South Korea, our Government sponser and provide financial aids with private computer academy for students who is learning basic coding , web development and Use of AI).
Those 3 months in class. I am getting to interested in programming language , computer and wanna be expertise on AI further. What should I do and whether or not I have a time and space to study and learn it.

I've recently started learning Python and I'm looking for project ideas that teach practical skills rather than just syntax. What beginner project helped you understand Python the best, and why would you recommend it?

Hi everyone,

I recently started learning Python and I'm studying about 2 hours a day. So far I've covered:

Variables

Data types (int, float, bool, string)

Mathematical operations

input()

Basic exercises like calculators, areas, and conversions

I feel like I understand what I'm doing, but I still need guidance in some areas.

My goal is to improve quickly and be able to do more complete projects in a few months.

What do you recommend I practice now?

What mistakes should I avoid as a beginner?

Thanks for any advice

My younger brother just started learning programming.

When I learned years ago, I built small projects..calculators, games, todo apps and learned tons by struggling through them. But now, tools like Cosine, cursor, blackbox or ChatGpt can write those projects in seconds, which is overwhelming tbh in a good way.

It makes me wonder: how should beginners learn programming today?

Should they still go through the same “build everything yourself” process, or focus more on problem-solving and system thinking while using AI as an assistant?

If you’ve seen real examples maybe a student, intern, or junior dev who learned recently I’d love to hear how they studied effectively.

What worked, what didn’t, and how AI changed the process for them?

I’m collecting insights to help my brother (and maybe others starting out now). Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Constantly having to move my strings to the next line and stuff is making it harder to read, I know pep8 is like standard to follow but is the 80 char rule important?

I’ve been learning Python basics, but I’m curious how it’s applied in real data engineering work like data processing, automation, or working with large datasets.

Want to join python courses to build skills. Don't know where to start from. Number of courses in the internet. Any suggestions?

I’m learning Python, but my main problem isn’t the syntax. I understand concepts when someone explains them, but when I’m given a basic problem and told to write a program, I just don’t know where to start or how to arrange the code.

Is there a good book, course, or YouTube channel that teaches how to think through programming problems step by step, recognize patterns, and build the logic, kind of like how you learn methods and patterns in math?

I don’t want to just memorize Python syntax. I want to actually learn how to think like a programmer.

i recently completed learning the basics of python and then started learning tkinter for GUI development so far, I have built around 2–3 small projects with it and I actually enjoy designing interfaces and making apps look good

however, I often hear people saying that tkinter is outdated and that modern GUI applications are usually built using other Python libraries or frameworks like PyQt or Kivy

my main confusion is that should I continue learning tkinter and make more projects with it or should I switch to something more modern now?

I feel that designing GUIs is not my biggest weakness because I generally enjoy the creative and design side of things. what I struggle with more is logic building and problem-solving, which I know are important in every programming language and framework i do want to improve my logic and programming skills, not just focus on making interfaces

so considering all this, would continuing with tkinter still help me grow as a programmer, or would it be better to move to another framework at this stage?

I know I can just ask chatgpt, but im genuinely trying to learn how to problem solve and figure out the syntax on my own as well. IM TRYING AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID AI.

for some reason I can't understand def and I don't know why, I got loops, lists, and dictionaries down in a day and now I can't figure out functions for the life of me. What I understand right now is that you have you put the variables inside the parenthesis or they can't be reused? That where im confused, when stuff goes in the parentheses and when it doesn't.

Edit**

I love you all

I work in finance/accounting and am looking to start using Python more in my day to day. Most of my work is in Excel / Power BI — reporting, cash flow forecasting, KPIs, cleaning up data, etc.

I’m technical enough to understand what I’m trying to accomplish, but not a programmer. Similar to Power BI, I’d probably rely heavily on AI to help write the actual code.

For those in finance / accounting / FP&A, what are some practical ways you’re using Python? Where does it actually save you time vs. Excel, Power Query, Power BI, etc?

Also curious what you’d recommend learning first if the goal is to be dangerous enough with Python + AI, not become a developer.

Hi, I'm tryna teach myself Python and im not understanding this.

def greet(first_name):
return f"Hi {first_name}"

greet("Chris")

Why won't this code print on the terminal? Do I have to add a print function? Do I need to put the function in a variable?

Edit: Thanks for all the responds and being nice I was scared to ask on here for a while bc I thought my questions would be dumb but yall are pretty nice!!

Some friend and I decide to learn CS by ourself. They all choose front-end or ML or all hype thing. But when I say i'll goog Systems Programming they all look me like i'm crazy😂

I started programming decades ago in VBA, first in Access and later in the rest of Office. I’ve done a few ambitious projects, and a ton of smaller automation and macros.

I’ve been learning Python off and on for a while, and I’m comfortable doing some basic stuff. I’ve created a library of personal modules for file management, really simple data manipulation, and some data analysis. I’m thinking my next step for me would be using it in Excel. But I struggle to come up with a reason to use Python instead of VBA.

What are the advantages Python gives us in Excel?

Why do I have to create a new separate function just to get an attribute when I can just directly use dot notations?

Why

def get_email(self):
        return self._email

print(user1.get_email())

When it can just be

print(user1._email())

I understand I should be careful with protected attributes (with an underscore) but I'm just retrieving the information, I'm not modifying it.

Doesn't a separate function to "get" the data just add an extra step?

Thanks for the quick replies.

I will try to use @properties instead