discussion / AI for Conservation  / 2 May 2016

Who wants to learn Python? Courses to get you started coding

Hello all, 

 

I found a Youtube video that shows how to code in Python in six lines, powered by Google. Enjoy!

 

Regards,

John




Thanks for sharing this, John! I'm interested in opening this thread up and asking a broader question.. What are your go-to resources for learning code? How did you get started (and why)?

Are you a complete beginner to programming and not sure where to start or what language to choose? This resource and the accompanying infographic (attached below) is a helpful jumping off point. 

Personally, I got started with coding a few years ago through skillcrush.com. The reason I liked it was fun, simple and liked the capacity to code in the browser and see it displayed as I wrote it - which is really helpful to connect what you're writing with the action it produces. Plus, it was taugh by women and aimed at women.. something I found made it really welcoming and accessible as someone not coming from a tech background.  

Although that was how I got started, there are lots of other great (and often free) sites that will get you started with coding. Here are a few: 

  1. Udacity
  2. Codecademy
  3. Code School
  4. Dash
  5. Code Avengers
  6. WiBit.Net

What are your suggestions? Where would you start?

Hello all,

I recentyl found a new course focusing on Tableau, which is used to visualize data. The course does have a business focus to it, but the lessons learned using the software can be applied in an ecology context. Furthermore, I've been seeing a lot of job postings asking for a Tableau background, so this might give you the edge you need!

 

Regards,

John

Selecting software to use depends  on your requirements - of course, there are other reasons for selection as well (familiarity, etc). If you're not a programmer or relatively new to software dev, there are a range of possibilities out there. One that I've used and like is called LiveCode and is also open-source. Can be used to make apps for mac, windows, linux, iOS + Android, and they even have a version to be used on Raspberry Pi. So might be worth checking out for some of you. You can check it out at www.livecode.com.

I don't have any connection with them, though I do use the software, and have created plenty of apps with it.

HTH someone. :-)