What’s the Best Way for an Experienced Programmer to Learn Python?

The bigger learning curve may be Python’s standard and third-party libraries rather than the core language. Once the basic syntax is familiar, spend time with the libraries relevant to network automation and learn the idiomatic way Python code is structured.

You can skim a concise Python introduction or language reference first, but don’t expect syntax alone to carry you. Python’s indentation-based blocks are worth noticing, and you’ll probably need to look up practical details such as file I/O, exceptions, and common data structures as you work.

A good shortcut is to recreate a small program you’ve already written in another language. Since you already understand the program’s logic, you can focus on translating it into Python and learning the syntax, conventions, and standard library along the way. After a day or two, you’ll usually have enough familiarity to start your own projects.

If you already know another language, compare the features you use most often—loops, collections, functions, error handling, modules, and classes—in Python. Then use that knowledge immediately in a realistic project instead of following a course aimed at someone who has never programmed before.

Learn the basic syntax quickly, then start building something useful. When you run into an unfamiliar task, look up the Python-specific way to solve it. A small network automation script is usually more effective than spending weeks on beginner exercises.