I recently learned of a podcast called “Talk Python to Me”; specifically, I listened to an episode entitled 10 Tips and Ideas for the Beginner to Expert Python Journey. I can’t call myself a Python expert – probably can’t call myself on the intermediate spectrum. I am, though, more than a beginner and I always appreciate something that will better help me in writing python scripts and programs. I would like to highlight the 10 tips and ideas they mentioned:

  • Know Your Goals: for myself, I initially learned Python to help me in my job as a Network Engineer. Since then, I have found value with Python in building tasks automations, small applications, and ways to help in the network.
  • Have a Project in Mind: Hearing this, I now want to find another project that will allow me to use Python. Not sure what that will be – just need to find it.
  • Don’t limit your learning to what’s needed for the project
  • Read good code: A good point, but I’m not sure where to go looking for “good” code.
  • Know your tools: He specifically recommended taking a few days just to learn your IDE. I just gained a new co-worker who also uses VS Code, but he puts it into VIM mode.
  • Learn how to test your code: This is something I definitely need to start doing.
  • Know what’s good enough for a project*
  • Embrace refactoring: I have a project, now a year old, that needs some refactoring.
  • Write things down
  • Go meet people: I took his advice on this item and I attended a Python user group. Those in attendance use Python far more frequently than myself; yet, I hope to be able to learn some things.

The co-collaborator to the podcast actually made a post on on this topic as well. You can find it at this link

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