Is it worth $30 to take an online python course for beginners?

Question

I'm thinking about purchasing an online python course for $30. It's a course that's on sales on Udemy, which I could consider to be a pretty good website for self learning. It's developed by Infinite Skills and many people said that it's a pretty good course on the review section.

My question is, is it worth $30 spending to learn python? I'm relatively new to programming. I know some basic Java and core principles of computer programming, but that's pretty much about it. Some people recommend me taking python first because it's easier than the other programming languages. However, despite its easiness, is it still useful to learn python? It seems that most programs are written in Java nowadays.

Do you guys think that I should stick with Java or switch to python and build a solid foundation first? Just a side note, while I don't necessarily have trouble with the logic itself, I did found some of the Java technical syntax to be somewhat confusing and annoying, especially when you make an error. Is the technical syntax any better in python than Java?

I'd really appreciate it if anyone could give a suggestion.

Answer 1

I have put at least $2,000 into programming books so far. I actually just got a VBScript pocket guide today which was yet another $10 down because I have to use it for a work project in the coming weeks. $30 is pocket change when it comes to programming because you will be spending a small fortune in books, references, and probably even a keyboard or 2... or 3... You will end up getting a 2nd display if you do it enough as well. To be honest 3-4 displays is even not a bad idea.



To answer your concern about the online python course... I don't know that you would NEED to pay for a Python course. It is VERY easy to learn on your own. To be honest, I don't even know it but when I looked at it for the first time more recently it made perfect sense just because I know other languages. If this is strictly a Python class, don't bother. Grab a book, look at websites, check google and youtube for tutorials, visit the links posted here. It will probably save you some money or give you more information than you'd get for $30.



If this is a programming course that uses Python and gives you the chance to learn more about programming in general? Then $30 is a good idea. Basically learning the act of programming is worth more than learning the language you are going to be programming in because if you know what you are doing you can google all you need to know about the language.

Answer 2

> Benito, the rules and syntax of Python 3 and Python 2 are much more

> logical and simple than the corresponding rules for Java. That makes Python

> a great deal easier to learn, and far more enejoyable in which to program. I

> certainly think learning to program is worth $30. I have no knowledge of the

> site of which you speak. They sound like con artists. There is no contra-

> diction between learning Java more and learning Python. An old geezer

> who answers lots of questions here knows C, Python 2.4, Java, and C++.

> Knowing a new language makes you better at both languages. So don't

> give up on your Java, but keep trying to write programs in Java, and keep

> learning it and keep building that foundation, while you learn Python. And

> if you have to pay, pay these guys. My students recommend two books

> for Python: Learning_Python_5th_Ed_2013.pdf, by Mark Lutz, and

> Think_Python.pdf, by Alen Downey. I've read both, and recommend both.

>

> John ([e-mail])

Answer 3

$30 is not a lot of money, especially when you consider the effort and time involved in learning computer programming. If you're really going to master Python you're going to end up spending more than that on books!



Some people learn better in a class, some learn better if you just give them a book and leave them alone. My first computer programming class was Fortran (UGH! It was a long time ago!) and I found I was several chapters ahead of the class by the end. But years later I took C, and there the class really helped because there were some concepts the books didn't make as clear as a regular instructor. You probably know which kind of person you are.



Anyway Python is designed as a 'beginner' language, meaning that what you learn in Python you will take with you to your next language. I wouldn't expect a $30 course to get you very far, but it might be a good start, worth $30.