Tips On Getting Started In Python
- Thread starter tommo
- Start date
Thanks I have come across this course and was considering it. I didn't know if it was worthwhile to learn Python fundamentals first via CodeAcademy or the course would take you from coding newbie and get you up to speed in a trading context
I think codecademy is probably the best place to start. However, if you have experience in coding, you can probably start coding on quantopian pretty quickly. Python is a pretty easy language.
I always start with Lynda.com when I'm learning a new language. It's a great way to dip your toe in without making a big investment of time or money.
Here's their Python course:
http://m.lynda.com/Python-3-tutorials/essential-training/62226-2.html
As an aside, all the big boys use C/C++ for algos because it is much faster. Be warned, however, that the syntax can be tortorous if you're not a coder.
The idea behind Python is to sacrifice performance for easier syntax.
Here's their Python course:
http://m.lynda.com/Python-3-tutorials/essential-training/62226-2.html
As an aside, all the big boys use C/C++ for algos because it is much faster. Be warned, however, that the syntax can be tortorous if you're not a coder.
The idea behind Python is to sacrifice performance for easier syntax.
Here's my 2cents from someone who is currently working in tech and made the career jump from finance:
Go take a basic intro course at your local college to learn the basics of programming. Once you have the basics, you can pretty hack up whatever you want.
I went from zero knowledge of coding to writing my own system in Python(not sub min timeframe) in basically 5 months. But I took those intro courses to really put myself up the learning curve.
Can you do it via online resources only? Yes, but you will have a much steeper learning curve because you don't know what you don't know.
Go take a basic intro course at your local college to learn the basics of programming. Once you have the basics, you can pretty hack up whatever you want.
I went from zero knowledge of coding to writing my own system in Python(not sub min timeframe) in basically 5 months. But I took those intro courses to really put myself up the learning curve.
Can you do it via online resources only? Yes, but you will have a much steeper learning curve because you don't know what you don't know.
How many lines of code would you have to create to have a successful program?
Do you have to create them on your own like ...poetry or do you look for programs that others have written and cut/paste different lines like a paragraph?
What is it that you would want to program that you can't find on a financial link or find on your broker's website?
Do you have to create them on your own like ...poetry or do you look for programs that others have written and cut/paste different lines like a paragraph?
What is it that you would want to program that you can't find on a financial link or find on your broker's website?
You're a satisfied customer, and generally the courses are well-received, but some reviewers on Amazon say they're long-winded. Does this match your experience?
Usually you start with something open source, that already has some level of functionality, and modify it from there. For example, the Interactive Brokers API code, which is available in C#, Java, Visual Basic, and C++:
http://interactivebrokers.github.io/tws-api/connection.html#gsc.tab=0
Incidentally, you might want to start with Visual Basic. It integrates with Excel quite nicely.
From the perspective of someone with coding experience, the pacing can be a little slow; however, that's by design. They're geared for someone just getting started with a language, that's the target market for their courses. Perfect fit for the OP.
Also, there's a button that enables you to speed up or slow down the presentation by 1.5x, 2x, etc. So it's easy to speed through a section if you wish. There will also be challenging sections where you will want to slow down, or review again.
Their "essential training" for a language is a solid, quick, introduction to a language. They walk you through installation, setup, compiling, the hello world program, and a bunch of language fundamentals. For example, in Python, there are two camps: the Python 2, and Python 3. Which one should he learn? At $25/month, I'd highly recommend them; it's a steal.
Last edited: