For those without a coding background, Python is easy to pick up, and developing programming skills can enhance logical thinking abilities. AI can assist you in writing and debugging code, but being able to understand and modify it yourself is essential for creating the tools you need, wouldn’t you agree?
After taking a few classes, I stopped learning when school resumed, and I began to ponder what useful things this knowledge could bring me and whether it was worth my time and effort to learn.
Many of my peers here are learning Python, and when they first start, they think about what they can achieve with it. However, many later realize that they only feel that “Python can help,” without clearly understanding what problems they want to solve, what efficiencies they want to improve, or what goals they want to achieve. As time goes on, fewer and fewer people can stick with it. Therefore, it’s crucial to clarify your work direction and identify where Python can assist you; this is the only way to truly motivate yourself to complete the learning process; otherwise, it can be challenging to persist.
Any repetitive task can be automated. With the help of AI, creating small software has become incredibly fast. The key is to learn how to communicate with AI so that it fully understands your intentions. I learned this after starting work, as my lab primarily involves repetitive tasks, so I created a small software tool to finish work early and go home. Below is a small software I developed.
If you are learning purely out of interest without considering its practical applications, you will struggle to keep up, let alone use it. The focus should be on having real projects; without them, learning these things is akin to information going in one ear and out the other. You need to transform some of the problems you encounter in your life and work into solutions that can be addressed with Python. For example, if you come across interesting content that you need to scrape daily but often forget, then write a Python script.
In fact, rather than learning programming itself, it’s about exploring new pathways. The syntax of these languages is quite similar; if you want to use a specific part, just search for it. Now with AI, you don’t even need to search; just set a condition, and it can help you handle everything related to that module. The more you practice, the more familiar you become, but the prerequisite is that you need to understand why you are using it. Only by knowing why can you understand the significance of Python for ordinary people.
It may seem useless; AI like ChatGPT has improved significantly compared to 2023. Back then, asking it to write simple Excel data processing code often resulted in issues that required manual adjustments. Now, many uncomplicated codes can be used directly.
I have asked many people around me, and they all respond that it performs better than what they can write themselves.
What was the workplace tool 20 years ago? The calculator.
What was the promotion tool 10 years ago? The spreadsheet.
Today’s AI promotion tool? Chinese Python.
People aged 7 to 70 can learn Chinese Python programming.
Python can automate any task that requires automation. For instance, if you have an Excel sheet with 1,000 names and need to create folders named after those individuals, without Python, you would have to create 1,000 folders manually. But if you know Python, you can write a script and run it with one click. All repetitive tasks at work can be accomplished with Python. For example, if your boss asks you to monitor 100 web pages and you need to be notified immediately when there is new content, if you don’t know programming, you can only check those 100 pages manually at intervals. But if you know Python, you can write a script that runs on your computer and automatically sends you a text message when there is new content.
Think of learning Python as binge-watching a series; the more you engage, the more you realize how fun it is. It can help you find a good job and even provide a lucrative side hustle; the future is promising.
Python can be used for ticket grabbing, replacing Excel, stock trading, image batch processing, and creating plugins. It’s all about pursuing hobbies.
I don’t know how to code, but one day I wanted to add dynamic watermarks to videos, so I had to use Python and the Lama model to write a watermark removal tool.
In one day, you can accomplish thousands of tasks.
Thanks to my friends for showing me that Python has so many practical uses in life, such as video editing and office work, which I find quite interesting.