I've been a JavaScript developer for my entire career, but I've just landed a Python role at a startup starting tomorrow. What are some helpful tips to make this transition smoother?
8 Answers
Don’t stress too much! Python is almost like pseudo code, so with your JavaScript background, you’ll pick it up quickly. The logic across backend languages is really similar.
Make sure to utilize type hints in your Python code. They can really help prevent mismatches in your code, especially if you use an IDE that highlights these types of issues. Also, consider using an auto-formatter like Ruff to keep your code clean.
As long as you've got a good grasp of programming concepts, picking up Python should be a breeze! Just dive in and get your hands dirty.
Focusing on tooling is important too. Get familiar with Ruff and MyPy for linting and formatting your code. It'll help you a lot during your transition.
Just a heads-up: in Python, you won't be using those curly braces like you do in JavaScript. They mean something completely different!
Oh, and if you’re working with async code, just know it can feel a bit different from JavaScript, but it’s manageable! Plus, you'll be able to avoid the complexity of promises.
Use comprehensions and generator expressions wisely when handling collections. Python also has distinct types for integers and floats, plus for dealing with money, the Decimal data type is your best friend. Also, dive into argument unpacking and the versatile match statement—it’ll change how you think about conditionals!
Congrats on the new job! After a few months, you'll probably find yourself forgetting about JavaScript altogether. Just focus on getting comfortable with Python.
Absolutely, type hinting is key. Having a static checker like MyPy can also help you catch errors early on. And don't forget to prioritize unit testing your code; PyTest is fantastic for that!