I'm pursuing B.Com alongside CA, with a fairly demanding schedule and a 75% attendance requirement. I'm completely new to programming and have started with a beginner-friendly Python book. During college, I usually can't use a laptop, so I may only get about an hour of hands-on practice at home, or three to four hours on holidays. I'm very interested in technology, but I'm unsure whether I should focus on learning Python or begin with basic computer hardware instead. Is it realistic to learn programming mainly through reading during college and practicing on my laptop when I get the chance?
3 Answers
Learning basic computer concepts can be useful, but you don’t need to master hardware before starting programming. Python is a good first language because it has beginner-friendly syntax and is useful for automation, data work, and many business-related tasks. Start with Python, and learn hardware basics separately if you’re curious.
Yes, it’s absolutely doable with an hour a day. At the beginning, reading helps you understand concepts, but you’ll still need regular hands-on practice to learn how to actually write and debug code. Use your laptop time for typing examples, changing them, and solving small exercises rather than just rereading the book.
So it’s still possible even if I can’t use a laptop during college and can only practice at home for about an hour?
Don’t worry about having huge blocks of free time. Consistency matters more than studying for many hours once in a while. You can read about syntax and problem-solving in class, then try those ideas on your laptop later. Keep a list of exercises or questions to practice when you have access to the computer.
Would learning mostly through reading and practicing less still work in my situation?
Knowing how computers work is helpful, but you can learn those fundamentals alongside Python instead of delaying programming until you finish hardware topics.