INTRO First some background. Over the years I've used many different programming languages to various degrees of success. From BASIC on an Apple IIe to Cobol, C and…
INTRO First some background. Over the years I've used many different programming languages to various degrees of success. From BASIC on an Apple IIe to Cobol, C and C++, Lisp and Fortran in College and then through Java and Perl as I got involved in a little tinkering in work. I was aware of Python for a while but it wasn't until I undertook a Masters of Science in Analytics that I decided that it could well be the last language I'd ever learn. Anyone who uses Python, either regularly in a professional capacity or intermittently as a hobby, doesn't need me to tell them why we love the language so much. For me it was three things that drew me in. First the easy to read and understand syntax (or lack of), second was the wide variety of freely available commercial grade data science libraries and finally, but most importantly the Python Community. My Masters culminated in my Thesis which was CyberBullying Detection using Text Processing in Python. But after a while I didn't make any further Python progress. In fact, over time, I nearly stopped using Python and was only scripting miscellaneous small helper scripts. Also, because my Masters was partially for fun and partially for continuous learning, I wasn't actively doing any Analytics or Data Science. I had even stopped looking at the new competitions in Kaggle. So what does all this have to do with PyBites? Read on. A couple of years ago I decided I'd procrastinated enough and I needed to get back in gear. I completed a MOOC Data Science Certification (based on Python of course) to get my eye back in and fell in love with Python all over again. But while doing this course I realised that I didn't know core Python very well at all. Sure I could build a Clustering Model or build a KNN Model but I knew, deep down, I was Python equivalent of a golfing hacker who leaves a trial of divots behind on every hole. I started looking around for ways to fix this and for a while I read books, took Python MOOC courses and slowly felt I was getting but I was still not satisfied with my progress. Enter PyBites. PYBITES I can't remember the fortuitous happenstance that lead me to PyBites, but about a year ago a beautiful friendship was born. There are so many great things about PyBites that it hard to include everything in a short post like this, but here are my top 5: 1. PyBites Coding Platform The PyBites coding platform is the first heart of PyBites. It a Django powered site where users of the platform can log in a code python again problems that are set by either the creators of the site, Bob and Julian, or by other members of the PyBytes community. At this point there are over 300 problems to be solved ranging from simple one liners targeting total beginner just starting out in Python right up to challenges where the description of the problem take 15 minutes to read, a day to understand and then a week to solve (I am that soldier and I have that medal). But the great thing is that all of these Bites (coding challenges) come with a full suite of PyTests already written for you to test your code against so no wondering if your solution works or not, you find out right there and then. And I do mean right there and then. The site has a built in Python editor pane that is fully Pep 8 compliant and you can choose a theme to match your favourite editor. And if you'd prefer to code offline, not problem. You can down link your account to Github, download the bite and tests, add to Git and when ready load your completed solution straight into the editor for validation. Oh and each Bite has a forum page where you can compare solutions and discuss. One of the best part of all this though is that the Python Bites have been gamified. All Bites are given points from from 2 for beginner Bites, 3 for intermediate, 4 for advanced up to 9 and 10 for special Bites. There is great friendly competition to be top of the leaderboard with the most points. Also, as your score increases you get belts, like Judo, to show how far you've progressed. Brilliant idea. There are so many other great things that I could go on for ages but I'll finish with the profile page each user is given. On this page, if you choose to make it public, you can see how many Bites the user has completed, coding streaks, Learning Paths completed, number of Bites Authored, number of code challenges completed etc. etc. etc. What more could you want to show a prospective employer if you are starting out looking for a Python job. 2. Learning Paths If having Bites wasn't enough, a selection of related Bites have been gathered together in Learning Paths. Each of these path contain a mixture of beginner, intermediate and advanced Bites that help your understanding of a particular topic evolve. There are 12 paths available at the moment with more in development: Algorithms, Collections Module, Data Analysis, Data Formats, Datetimes and Timezones, Decorators and Context Managers, Itertools, Object Oriented Programming, Pytest, Regular Expressions, String Manipulation, and Web Scraping. 3. Python Articles There are 4 years of Python tip, tricks and deep industry knowledge here. Go read them all. Enough said. 4. Code Challenges The Bites are brilliant but if you're looking for something a bit meatier there are 64 challenges on the site that are more free-style. No right or wrong solutions, no tests (you should write your own), no hints or help. Just here is something you could do in Python over the next hour, week, month. Take it and run with it to your own satisfaction. Great if you're looking for extra practice or want to showcase your skills in your Github repository. 5. PyBites Slack Community Last, but by no means least, is the PyBites Slack Community. What can I say about this. I mentioned earlier that one thing the drew me to Python was the community. The PyBites Slack Community is now like a second family to me. I now know some of the people on this community better then work colleagues who I've shared an office with for 15 years. New members are always welcomed, nearly immediately. Questions or cry's for help usually result in a fight to see who can jump in first to help. And the help is always generous. I've seen threads that are 50, 60 70 posts longs as problems are worked through and concepts explained. It's as safe and as friendly a bunch of people, all interested in Python, that you could want for. There's no status, you don't need to earn your right to express an opinion or contribute or ask a question, just jump right in. Also through this community I've learnt about so many great Python resources and other fascinating things like "AdventofCode" and "Hacktoberfest". You should join PyBites just to find out about Karmabot ... CONCLUSION I've learnt more Python in the last year than the previous 6 when I was going solo and, better yet, had fun doing so to boot. I can't recommend PyBites enough or thank Bob and Julian sufficiently for putting together this vehicle, no juggernaut, that will help improve your Python in no time at all.
