Out of the many programming languages available, Python seems to be the most preferred choice among beginners who are looking to become part of the programming community. It is an in-demand, accessible programming language that is relatively easy to learn and incredibly versatile. You can use it for both small and complex tasks and it is used in a variety of fields, from data science and software engineering to game design.
However, despite all of these great things, it has some challenges for coders who are just starting out. This often makes the learning process more difficult due to the many challenges that they come across.
In this post, we detail the most common challenges associated with learning Python and how to overcome them.
- Inability to find good sources of knowledge
Although Python is often regarded as the best and easiest beginner programming language, acquiring proper education and practical experience is essential for mastering it. So, if you can’t find a good source of knowledge, there is a great possibility that learning Python may be challenging for you.
Start by looking for programming experts who specialize in Python that will provide you with individualized guidance to improve your coding skills. For instance, you can get private Python programming help from highly-trained tutors online who will adapt their instruction based on your current skills and knowledge, ensuring that you get the most out of your Python tutoring and become a proficient programmer.
- Not knowing what to write
Another common problem beginners face when learning Python is not knowing what to write. This refers to deciding what to include in the code to make it perform in the desired way. Every word you write in the code has to perform a specific task and not knowing, or even failing to do so properly increases the chances of errors and makes the entire writing more complex.
Luckily, Python is a programming language that can reduce the occurrence of these issues with its feature to auto-complete the code on your behalf, and make it easier for you to avoid making mistakes that could have been followed by any wrong decision.
- Compiler or runtime errors
In general, errors in Python are typically categorized into two types of errors and these are compiler and runtime errors. Compiler errors refer to errors that occur when you instruct Python to run the application, but it fails and further leads to syntax errors. Runtime errors are errors that occur after the code has been compiled and the program is still running, causing it to behave unexpectedly or even crash.
Fortunately, Python features a shell script, which is a computer program that helps coders identify problems in a simpler way.
Another common challenge many Python beginners face is debugging. For aspiring Python developers, syntax can be quite complicated which further increases the likelihood of learners making mistakes, slowing down their learning process. Although syntax errors are a common problem, they can be significantly reduced as coders gain experience over time.
Besides this, the great thing about Python is that it has features that can be used to highlight these errors in real-time, making it much easier for upcoming developers to identify and rectify mistakes. Debugging is an important part of the learning process and helps learners become aware of the problems they may face later on.
- Setting up the work environment
Setting up the work environment is also a common problem many Python newbies face during the learning process. This work environment refers to getting familiar with the syntax, code style, and built-in tooling featured in the programming language which will foster learners’ productivity. Unfortunately, beginners often find trouble in setting up all necessary environments, making them feel less motivated even at the initial state.
Fortunately, Python has its own integrated development environment (IDE), which allows developers to perform various functions using the tools. This makes the learning process much easier and the development process more streamlined.
Final thoughts
Despite being one of the best programming languages to learn as a beginner, Python still has a few challenges that make the learning process more difficult. That’s why it is important that you get the right education and practical experience in order to be able to code and avoid mistakes that will slow down your learning.
For more information, refer to our post and read about the most common challenges Python beginners face and how to overcome them.
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