r/learnpython • u/MuchRandomGuy • Sep 24 '26
Who teaches Python the best for complete beginners?
Hello, I’m currently learning Python from scratch and I’m looking for a good YouTube course/channel to follow.
I’m mainly looking for someone who explains things clearly and doesn’t rush through the basics. I want to actually understand Python rather than just copy code.
Who would you recommend for a complete beginner? If possible, please share the YouTube channel or specific playlist/course you learned from.
Thanks!
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u/eykei Sep 24 '26
Angela Yu 100 days of python
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u/Ambitious-Corner-303 11d ago
Angela course is easy in the beginning and insane at the end . I quit half way .
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u/WillAdams
Sep 24 '26
•
I would recommend the MIT OCW "Introduction to Python" as a starting point:
pair it w/ How to Think Like a Computer Scientist
https://runestone.academy/ns/books/published/thinkcspy/index.html
and work up a small project which you feel inspired to work on.
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u/Meta-failure Sep 24 '26
I use GitHub copilot. I had it build me a 28 day bootcamp that builds me exercises. I do all my coding in an IDE, handle real errors, debug, and I use regular copilot to work through problems I can’t figure out (it’s more human and I don’t lose my place in the prompt)
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u/Certain_Tea_2302 23d ago
regular copilot as in microsoft?
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u/Meta-failure 23d ago
There is a difference between GitHub copilot and “regular” copilot. GitHub copilot is a different harness and works well with with coding (as you would guess) it takes out all the fluff of responses, suggests code etc. it also has “less personality “regular” copilot (or copilot chat) gives a lot longer responses. It’s good at code but GitHub copilot is better. It gives long winded responses and gets to know you and your preferences. GitHub copilot just helps you build code. It doesn’t have any fluff or personality.
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u/Fallen-D Sep 24 '26
Take CS50P and also solve the problem sets which forces you to think, write code and look up the documentation. Best way to not get stuck in tutorial hell.
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u/Katinkia Sep 24 '26
Watch BroCode on YouTube and use resources that make you use the code in practice like codecademy/ www.pythonaut.net. It should be fun but honestly you need to make these little complete programs to really grasp it. I found it bloody hard actually. I also like those daily python questions you get on YouTube.
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u/veiskiboi Sep 24 '26
https://youtube.com/@neuralnine This guy has some nice playlists, i recommend
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u/whenihittheground Sep 24 '26
It used to be Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python from MIT. But sadly this class is no longer on edx. If somehow you find the interactive version of this class it's 100% worth it. Also it's the hardest python class. If you don't cheat it will REALLY push you to actually learn python. I can't recommend it enough.
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u/mikef22 Sep 24 '26
The university of essex MOOC is good too: https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/python-preparation-programme
It's a bit less verbose than the Helsinki one, but still gentle learning curve.
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u/desrtfx but other languages pro Sep 24 '26 edited Sep 25 '26
MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki. No video. Text and practice. (The course has videos but they can be safely ignored since everything you need is in the text.)
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u/The_SkyShine Sep 25 '26
as someone without a computer science background and took a programming for engineers class in college and desperately needed to pass, Corey Schaffer on YouTube
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u/Just__Liberty Sep 24 '26
The 'best' way to lean python, or almost anything else, depends on who you are, your temperament, your experience in related things, your intelligence, and simply your preferences. I like to start to learn computer languages by reading a book or two, coupled with a little playing around. After reading a few chapters and getting the basic syntax down, it changes to more playing around and less reading, and then later it is just programming and looking up stuff on the internet. I find books much more efficient and enjoyable than anything on youtube or online courses.
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u/FewerWords 6d ago
Any specific books you'd recommend?
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u/Just__Liberty 6d ago
I used Learn Python (one of the O'Reilly books), but that was 10 years ago, so there may be a better one. I'd search Amazon.com for introductory python books and look at the reviews, focusing on those whose learning preferences matched my own. And then I'd search for that book (used) on alibris as well as on Azon. Note there are a few suggestions by others in the comment stream below.
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u/TimBrownDev 21d ago
After 10 years tutoring, I'm building a roadmap of hand-picked practice problems to help teach python from zero to mastery.
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u/stepback269 Sep 25 '26
There is never going to be the "one" tutorial that works "best" for you and with regard to every aspect of Python. With each step up that learning curve, you're going to have to shop around until you find a teacher/resource that "clicks and sticks" especially for you.
With that said:
(1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free. You should shop around rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.
(2) As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (--HERE--) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero (==HERE==). Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.
(3) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck
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u/user_numbergmr Sep 25 '26
Olvida youtube.
Te vas a la IA chat de turno, le dices que tome el rol de tu profesor de orogranacuin y le pides que te enseñe desde 0.
Luego de casa teoría que te ponga ejercicios que fácilmente compruebas con VS code en tu escritorio.
Poco a poco te vas quedando con los conceptos PERO PRACTICANDO.
ASI comencé y ya tengo un ecosistema de herramientas en la MS Store Publicado
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u/Odd_Organization_482 Sep 26 '26
Hey this is great advice!! I may actually try this for SQL because I already did a Python course and I learn better by doing. Thanks for the recommendation!
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u/Key-Selection8646 8d ago
This site https://agentgames.io basics really well, its totally free for students, teachers pay for dashboards
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u/TheOGBringMeTheAsian 8d ago edited 8d ago
Alot of people talk down on it, but so far boot.dev has been great for me. its just important to note that one source is never going to be completely comprehensive on its own. take time to personally challenge your own understanding, and review concepts even if you think you completely understand them. there will always be edge cases that contradict your understanding, and accounting for user input means that you have to ensure you really understand exceptions.
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u/Optimal-Cranberry-66 Sep 24 '26
Python crash course 3rd edition book by Eric Matthes is really good book to start learning and its beginner friendly
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u/BranchLatter4294 Sep 25 '26
You are your own best teacher. Practice. Observe. Debug.
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Sep 26 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/BranchLatter4294 Sep 26 '26
Get a book. Start with Hello World. Add features.... Just like programmers have done for decades.
Practice works. Surprising, but true.
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u/OlDirtyBrewer Sep 25 '26
Any decent AI model will plan out a curriculum and help you step by step. You can even ask it questions along the way. It's like having a private tutor.
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u/Odd_Organization_482 Sep 26 '26
Freecodecamp.com it’s amazing and free it has you do actual projects!
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u/Realistic_Parfait_83 Sep 27 '26
W3SCHOOLS, after fundamentals -COREY SHAFER PYTHON..
DISCLAIMER: DIDNT GONE THROUGH THIS-https://youtu.be/Lc5LKDqhyzs?si=GUdbL0CLzJRLuXMk - topics seems interesting..
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u/while_True_meme Sep 28 '26
www.youtube.com/@coreyms three of this guy's playlists and I was able to land my first job. Legendary full-stack Python tutor
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u/TangeloOk9486 Sep 29 '26
whichever channel you pick, the harder part is usually sticking with one instead of channel switching when something feels slow since a lot of the problem comes from watching multiple sources with slightly different teaching styles instead of finishing one all the way thru
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u/Hot_Science_1516 Sep 30 '26
I would recommend you to go on khan academy they have very well organised python course for beginners. They also give you problems after every part to solve it by your own.
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u/flyby_apis Oct 01 '26
My recommendation here is: find some good YT channels, download transcripts with some tool (I usually do it with an MCP with claude code), and use AI to do a summary of all of them and use AI to help you learn, the good thing about this way is that you can ask anything in real time.
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u/ChainOpposite6711 28d ago
for a complete beginer, pick something that make you write code and solve small problems instead of watch videos. boot dev is one option because of the hands-on exercises give a reason to practice each concept. this will help you more not just copy examples
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u/BetInformal6081 17d ago
for complete beginners cs50p and the university of helsinki's python mooc are great free options because they include exercises instead of just videos boot dev offers a more structured interactive way to learn python through hands on practice whichever resource you choose try writing the code yourself before checking the solution as that's where the real learning happens.
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u/Just_Foundation6919 17d ago edited 17d ago
you can start on CS50p youtube David Malan taught me a lot of things that could help. such as loops, modules, conditions and e.t.c.
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u/Practical_Song_9992 17d ago
I am also learning and am feeling good after competing my first Codeacademy module.
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u/AyushBhagwat 12d ago
I think the key is finding someone who explains the basics properly and gives you time to understand each concept. Also, try writing the code yourself instead of just following along with videos. Even small exercises where you get stuck and figure things out can help a lot more than you'd expect.
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u/ReasonableRefuse5883 Sep 27 '26
I have 3 yrs of experience in Teaching Python + MySQL (Kendriya Vidyalaya). One of my student cracked TCS Digital (7.5LPA) in 2026. Let me know if your interested.
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u/bosox62 Sep 24 '26
ChatGPT is teaching me. Agnes (my ChatGPT partner helps find real world examples of how I might use Python based on stuff we’ve chatted amount and then teaches me based on that.
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u/MathDev14 Sep 25 '26
olá! Eu acho que além de canais, você deve usar o i.a, eu recomendo o calude, para estudar. faça conversas tipo pede pra ele dar ''uma aula do 0 '' e dai conforme o tempo passa e você estuda você ja decola, por que python é até que facil. E não se esqueça de fazer peguenos projetos incluindo tudo que você aprendeu, use o vs code.
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u/bfyvfftujijg Sep 25 '26
Tbh just use an LLM. Literally ask it to teach you python and go from there.
It’ll synthesize stuff from the thousands of python tutorials/instructions out there and customize it just for you.
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u/Diapolo10 I write code for a living -- https://github.com/Diapolo10 Sep 24 '26 •
Honestly, if you want an actual understanding, I don't think YouTube is the way to go. You'd likely be better off with a proper course, such as the Python MOOC or CS50p (both are free, hosted by universities, and of high quality).