Don't Learn Python in 2024

Summary

The video script cautions against falling into the 'Python trap' for beginners learning to code. While Python is popular and versatile, the language alone may not lead to the desired career path. The speaker emphasizes the importance of aligning language choices with specific career goals, such as web development, iOS/Android development, or data science. For aspiring front-end web developers, the recommended path is HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React, as these languages align with current job market demands. The video advises beginners to have a clear career goal in mind and learn the relevant languages, rather than learning Python solely because it's considered beginner-friendly. The objective is to expedite progress towards one's desired future in tech, avoiding wasted time on languages that may not directly contribute to that goal.

Takeaways

• 🚫 The speaker warns against falling into the 'Python trap' where beginners learn Python just because it's popular and easy, without considering their long-term career goals.
• 🎯 The main emphasis is on choosing a programming language based on the specific career path or field you want to pursue, rather than just learning a language because it's easy or popular.
• 👨‍💻 For those aiming to get a job quickly, front-end web development is presented as the easiest entry point, with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React being the recommended languages to learn.
• 🐍 While Python is acknowledged as a valuable and versatile language, it's not recommended as the first language for beginners unless their goal is data science or back-end development.
• 🌐 For fields like iOS or Android app development, the speaker suggests learning the specific languages and frameworks required (Swift for iOS, Java/Kotlin for Android), rather than Python.
• 🔑 The key takeaway is to have a clear career goal in mind, research the languages and skills required for that field, and then focus your learning efforts accordingly.
• ⏳ Learning languages that don't align with your desired career path can be a waste of time and demotivating in the long run.
• 🧭 The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a well-defined roadmap or plan to guide your learning journey and get you closer to your career goals.
• 🎓 For more advanced or specialized fields like data science, the speaker suggests that formal education (e.g., a college degree) may be necessary in addition to learning the relevant programming languages.
• 🔁 The video encourages a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability, as the job market and technological landscape are constantly evolving.

Q & A

Why does the speaker caution against falling into the 'python trap' for beginners?

The speaker cautions against falling into the 'python trap' because while Python is a popular and easy language for beginners, it might not be the best choice if your goal is to get a job quickly. Python is primarily used for data science and backend development, which may not be suitable for entry-level positions.

What alternative language does the speaker recommend for beginners interested in web development?

The speaker recommends JavaScript as an alternative language for beginners interested in web development, as it is just as easy as Python but more directly aligned with the skills needed for front-end web development roles.

What is the key message the speaker wants to convey?

The key message the speaker wants to convey is that when learning to code, it is crucial to have a clear career path in mind and choose the programming languages that align with that path, rather than simply learning a language because it is easy or popular.

According to the speaker, what is the easiest path to getting a tech job quickly?

According to the speaker, the easiest path to getting a tech job quickly is front-end web development, as it is a relatively easy field to learn, does not require a college degree, and the languages involved (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) are not overly complex.

What advice does the speaker give for advanced programmers regarding learning Python?

For advanced programmers, the speaker suggests that learning Python can be a great addition to their skill set, as it is a versatile language used in many fields.

What languages does the speaker recommend for iOS app development?

The speaker recommends learning Swift and the iOS framework for those interested in iOS app development, as Python would not be a suitable language for this field.

How does the speaker describe the job market for Python developers?

The speaker acknowledges that while Python is a popular and versatile language used in many fields, it is often used in conjunction with other languages, rather than as a primary language for specific job roles.

What potential drawback does the speaker mention about learning a language just because it's easy?

The speaker warns that learning a language just because it's easy can lead to learning things that might not be useful or help you achieve your career goals, potentially causing you to lose motivation and setting you back.

What advice does the speaker give regarding choosing programming languages to learn?

The speaker advises having a clear goal in mind for your future career and the field that interests you the most, and then choosing to learn the languages that align with that goal, rather than learning languages aimlessly.

What is the main point the speaker wants to convey through this video?

The main point the speaker wants to convey is that when starting out in programming, it's important to avoid the 'python trap' and instead focus on learning languages that will directly help you achieve your desired career path, rather than just learning a language because it's easy or popular.