What’s changed about learning Python over the last few years? What new techniques and updated advice should beginners have as they start their journey? This week on the show, Stephen Gruppetta and Martin Breuss return to discuss beginning to learn Python. We share techniques for finding motivation, building projects, and learning the fundamentals. We provide advice on installing Python and not obsessing over finding the perfect editor. We also examine incorporating LLMs into learning to code and practicing asking good questions. Stephen shares details about our upcoming eight-week live course, Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence. Check out realpython.com/live to learn more and reserve your spot. Course Spotlight: 11 Beginner Tips for Learning Python In this course, you’ll see several learning strategies and tips that will help you jumpstart your journey towards becoming a successful Python programmer. Topics: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:02:36 – Martin’s teaching background 00:02:57 – Stephen’s teaching background 00:04:07 – Having a vested interest in learning 00:08:35 – No shortcut to learning the fundamentals 00:09:21 – Parallels to learning a foreign language 00:12:43 – What’s different about starting to learn Python now? 00:15:03 – Stephen’s journey to coaching and using LLMs 00:16:20 – Are LLMs helpful for learning? 00:18:50 – Teaching what you’ve learned to someone else 00:19:38 – Learning how to ask good questions 00:22:11 – Improved error messages 00:24:35 – REPL: Read Evaluate Print Loop 00:26:33 – Video Course Spotlight 00:27:48 – Installing Python and choosing an editor 00:35:16 – Considering the scale of beginner projects 00:37:39 – Should a beginner be concerned with making Pythonic code? 00:40:55 – Using LLM tools and defining your level of skill 00:42:39 – Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence - live course 00:47:32 – Looking at projects - Awesome Python 00:48:02 – Asking an LLM to explain the code generated 00:50:46 – Debuggers and seeing code run 00:51:23 – Thanks and goodbye Show Links: Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence: Real Python’s intensive Python training program with live expert instruction 11 Beginner Tips for Learning Python Programming – Tutorial Episode #4: Learning Python Through Errors Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Download Python - Python.org Visual Studio Code - Code Editing Redefined Python 3.12 Preview: Ever Better Error Messages – Real Python Claude Code - Claude Back on the Track - Stephen Gruppetta Exploring Scopes and Closures in Python – Video Course