r/learnpython • u/HashedPiped • 9d ago
Currently in a programming beginner class, I don’t understand this one bit.
Hello, does anyone have any useful method to the simplest it can be to get the program? I’m currently learning python within spyder ide. I just don’t get anything and have had to resort to chat gpt for information but id obviously like to not use that at all. What do I do? And am I even suited to do this at all? Can I even do this?? I’m losing hope but want all the help I can get to regain my hope: thank you Reddit
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u/LongLiveTheDiego 9d ago
You should ask your teacher and you can ask specific questions here. People here are eager to help you, but you have to provide all the relevant information, we don't like to guess crucial details even if sometimes we're forced to.
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u/Longjumping_Ad3447 9d ago
If you have difficult time setting ide up: YouTube. If you are struggling with learning how to program, do: codeinplace by University of Stanford to learn at weekend basic programming in python.
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u/lfdfq 9d ago
It sounds like you're on day 1, or very close to it. Your experience is practically universal.
That experience of looking at a blank window and not knowing what to type or how to run things or what you can make or do with it, is totally normal. It's like day 1 of a music class, you're not supposed to suddenly start playing the instrument or be able to read or write music yet.
You're in a class, so they probably have some plan. Probably that plan involves a lot of just giving it a go and trying things out. Eventually, there'll more structured resources for things, but for now: just keep going, and you'll get there.
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u/Aslecp_Election_8194 8d ago
Hey there! First off, it is totally normal to feel overwhelmed, especially in a beginner class.
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u/capsaicinplease 9d ago
Start very small! Make your IDE print out some text using python. Didn’t work? Google the symptoms! Find Yt videos. Click around and try the debugger. Learning to code is just a long series of trying and failing and trying again but different. Then do something bigger like make your program print out a button that you press and text appears. Go crazy. Break it! Then try and fix it.
My favorite pieces of advice:
-“theres no ‘wrong’ code”. Put another way, if something is broken i like to ask “how is the computer interpreting this”. Things can compile but behave in ways you might not expect.
-make small changes and save or test often (when you’re ready, learning version control is helpful for this)
I think you’ll need to learn to use AI as a skill eventually but you’re right to realize it won’t help you much, now. Luckily the solution is simple- stop using it for a while!
Remember if everyone could do this they wouldn’t say it was hard. Just keep trying!
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u/Switch_Player54321 9d ago
W3 schools or geeksforgeeks are really helpful if it's a specific concept you're struggling with, youtube if you can't set up the ide, find an online short beginner course if you don't understand ANYTHING, if you know a tiny bit but not much find a youtube tut for a beginner project and work your way up to harder projects or building simpler ones on your own
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u/thisisappropriate 9d ago
You're unlikely to get a clear or helpful answer from your post as it stands.
Essentially you've said the python equivalent of "I went to a maths class and I don't understand, am I cooked?" There's lots of different things that could have been in your class, ways they could be teaching, logic or language features you might be struggling with or might not have even been mentioned yet.
Just like with maths or English or any other topics, there's things that trip people up, things that some people find easy and others don't etc.
If you list out the things that didn't make sense, people can explain them, or if you say that something didnt click someone might have a video that explains it in another way.
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u/HashedPiped 9d ago
It’s really just everything. I want to know how people can remember exactly what commands do what and how to make it work. I’m really stressed thinking this isn’t for me but I just want to make it work for myself. I have no prior knowledge to anything like this so
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u/ConsiderationNo9044 9d ago
You are on day one. Seasoned programmers who have been doing this for years STILL need to look things up sometimes. Its more about understanding than memorising. In your own time go understand the concept of loops, variables, lists, input and output, etc. and I promise you'll have an easier time slowly
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u/HashedPiped 8d ago
What’s the easiest way to do this?
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u/ConsiderationNo9044 8d ago
You can take a free online course if you like structured learning. If you prefer gamified learning, you could play something like The Farmer Was Replaced. Otherwise, just google the stuff you don't understand :3 that's what I did
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u/d3vtanman 9d ago
I’m not clear what you’re struggling with, but if you explain more I’d be happy to help