Best free online resources to start learning Python today

First of all, what is Python and why should you even bother?

Python is a high-level, interpreted, and general-purpose programming language that is widely used for a variety of purposes. Some of the most common uses of Python include:

1. Web Development: Python can be used to build server-side web applications. Popular web frameworks like Django and Flask are based on Python and are widely used for building scalable and secure web applications.
2. Data Science: Python has a large and growing number of libraries and tools for data analysis and visualization, making it a popular choice for data scientists. It’s widely used for machine learning, scientific computing, and big data analysis.
3. Automation: Python is often used for scripting and automating repetitive tasks, such as data processing, web scraping, and text parsing.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Python has a number of powerful libraries for machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence, such as TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch.
5. Game Development: Python can be used to build games using libraries like Pygame.
6. Education: Python is a popular language for teaching programming due to its simple and intuitive syntax, as well as its wide range of applications.

These are just a few examples of the many uses of Python. It’s a versatile language that can be used for a variety of tasks and is known for its readability, maintainability, and efficiency.

Best (mostly) free and paid online resources to start learning python:

1. Python.org – The official website for the Python programming language provides a wealth of information for beginners, including tutorials, documentation, and links to other resources.
2. Codecademy – Codecademy offers a comprehensive Python course for beginners that covers the fundamentals of the language, as well as more advanced topics.
3. Coursera – Coursera offers a range of courses in Python programming, including courses from top universities such as the University of Michigan and Rice University.
4. edX – edX is an online learning platform that offers a range of courses in Python programming, including courses from top universities such as MIT and the University of California, Berkeley.
5. Udemy – Udemy offers a range of Python courses, including courses on data science, machine learning, and web development.
6. YouTube – There are numerous channels on YouTube that offer free tutorials and courses on Python programming, including Corey Schafer, Sentdex, and CS Dojo.
7. Stack Overflow – Stack Overflow is a popular Q&A website for programmers, and it has a wealth of information on Python programming, including answers to common questions and discussions on advanced topics.
8. Python for Everybody – Python for Everybody is a free online course offered by the University of Michigan that covers the basics of Python programming and its applications.
9. Python Crash Course – Python Crash Course is a book by Eric Matthes that provides a hands-on introduction to Python programming and its applications, with exercises and projects to help learners build practical skills.
10. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python – Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is a book by Al Sweigart that provides a practical introduction to Python programming and its applications for automating tasks.