Common issues when learning Python

Common issues when learning Python

Learning something new is fun.. but let's face it, there are times when it can be challenging and the easiest thing is to give up. I've been teaching Python for a couple of years, and it's given me an opportunity to see what challenges folks have when learning Python.

My focus has been teaching for us for use in financial markets and also more recently also teaching a combined Python and alternative data course, partially based on The Book of Alternative Data, which Alexander Denev and I wrote. I've taught a wide range of folks, ranging from students, at Queen Mary University of London to practitioners in funds and banks (and if you'd like me to come and teach one of my workshops at your organisation let me know too!)

Of course learning to code in Python, or indeed any other language, is a challenge particularly if you've never coded before. It's going to take a few months to get up to speed for a total beginner. If you've coded before, it's somewhat easier and quicker, but still there might be specific things about Python which seem a bit different (like tabs instead of curly brackets to denote blocks of code). I've tried to list a few of the different problems or questions which have cropped up when I've taught folks Python.

I can't install Python, and I get error messages saying "No module Pandas installed"

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the first barrier which people face is trying to install Python. It can be confusing given there are several Python distributions out there. In general, I tend to recommend that folks install the Anaconda distribution of Python. Yes, it is a big download, and it can be a bit heavy, but I've found it the best distribution to use given my focus is on data science problems. I've also put together a py37class conda environment which can be installed quickly, which has...

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Manoj Kochhar

Portfolio Manager and Programme Manager | Business, Regulatory and Technology Strategy and Change | Front Office | FRTB | 1st and 2nd LoD Controls | Data, Cloud Transformation and Analytics | Risk | Finance | Treasury

4 年

Thanks Saeed. I think it depends on your aim. Microsoft for example allows you to publish serverless python functions to its Azure cloud platform with a button click from the VS IDE on your computer. That being said, I am a fan of Jupyter notebooks.

Eleanor Manley

Tech Founder - AI, Data & Product

4 年

Thanks for sharing Saeed!

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