I've been using Python for several years in an academic setting, primarily for numerical simulations. However, I'm planning to transition to the industry soon. I'm concerned that I might fall behind on best software development practices or language nuances since I lack experience in an IT company environment with code reviews and similar processes. I'm looking for resources that could help me make this transition smoother. Additionally, if anyone has a realistic checklist from experienced Python developers to help me identify my weaknesses, that would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Here’s a quick checklist for you:
1. Master Git for version control.
2. Focus on the fundamentals like variables, loops, and functions, but don’t fret too much about everything right now—what you need will come with the job.
3. Learn good practices for writing clean code, such as using descriptive variable names, and getting comfortable with virtual environments.
4. Brush up on data structures like lists, dictionaries, and tuples.
5. Lastly, knowing a bit about Python’s OOP features and context managers can be a plus! What sector are you hoping to move into?
Definitely check out 'Fluent Python' by Luciano Ramalho. It’s a fantastic resource that dives deep into Python concepts and best practices. It’s highly recommended by many developers looking to level up their skills!
Familiarizing yourself with Git is super important! It's essential for version control and collaboration. Learning the basics of how to use GitHub can help too, but don’t stress about it too much if your future workplace doesn’t use it. Just mastering Git itself is a big step forward. Make sure you know how to manage branches, create pull requests, and handle merging.
Actually, I think you should focus on Git primarily, especially if the company you’re joining doesn’t use GitHub. Knowing Git well is what matters most.
I’ve got some experience with Git too. I mostly understand the standard workflow like creating issues and merging branches. Are there any other core skills I should focus on?
I’m mostly familiar with what you listed. I’d like to pursue game development, as the idea of creating games is super exciting! However, realistically, I guess I'd start with software development. I've also dabbled in ML and AI in Python.