Starting to learn Python can feel daunting, especially if you’re coming from a background with absolutely no coding experience. Like many beginners, I began my Python journey with zero knowledge of coding. My perspective comes from that of a network engineer, someone very comfortable with command-line interfaces but completely new to the world of programming. I decided to dive into “Learn Python The Hard Way 3” (LPTHW3), and here’s my honest experience.
Is LPTHW3 the ideal starting point for learning Python with zero knowledge? For me, it was a resounding yes. One of the biggest hurdles for aspiring programmers is simply figuring out where to begin. I spent too much time in analysis paralysis, searching for the “perfect” starting resource. Eventually, I realized the best approach was to just jump in, and LPTHW3 became my chosen deep end.
As a network engineer in higher education, I spend a significant portion of my day working with network devices via their command-line interfaces. However, translating that CLI experience to the concepts in LPTHW3 wasn’t immediately intuitive. Initially, I struggled to find the connection. I constantly questioned how functions and lists, taught in the book, would apply to network engineering tasks. The lack of immediate context was a hurdle.
Despite this initial disconnect, I persevered. The key was to trust the process and work through the exercises methodically. I aimed for a pace of one to two exercises per day. Let me be clear, the beginning was challenging. Concepts felt abstract, and the practical application wasn’t always apparent. But sticking with it proved to be incredibly worthwhile.
The push to learn Python came from the industry-wide shift encouraging network engineers to embrace automation and programmability. After attending DevNet Create in 2018, I felt inspired to move beyond just understanding the concepts and actually build something. That inspiration led me to pick up LPTHW3 and start coding.
My learning journey with LPTHW3 wasn’t linear. My first attempt saw me progress about halfway through the book before work projects demanded my full attention, disrupting my study rhythm. However, the desire to learn Python remained.
In August, I decided to restart, going back to exercise one and beginning again. LPTHW3 contains 52 exercises, a comprehensive curriculum for a beginner. I diligently worked my way through to exercise 48. At this point, I felt I had a solid grasp of the fundamentals taught by the book. Recognizing my specific goals in network engineering, I transitioned to learning resources more directly focused on networking applications of Python. This shift was a natural progression, building upon the strong foundation LPTHW3 provided.
Conclusion
For anyone looking to learn Python with zero prior coding experience, I wholeheartedly recommend “Learn Python The Hard Way 3” as an excellent starting point. It effectively teaches the basics, and while the exercises do become progressively more challenging, this is by design. It truly does teach you the “hard way,” which, in my experience, is a highly effective way to learn. To maximize your learning, I suggest supplementing LPTHW3 with other resources, especially as you identify your specific areas of interest within Python. Most importantly, follow the instructions for each exercise meticulously, and don’t be afraid to experiment, explore, and yes, even break things. That’s all part of the learning process.
