ADHD friendly resource to learn Python programming?

[Haruspex]

I've been thinking of trying to learn to code again, as I've been doing regularly since the 1990s with limited success. Part of my problem is ADHD makes learning difficult sometimes. It's very all-or-nothing. Either I'm the most focused person who ever lived, or... Oooh squirrel!

What was I talking about?

Right, so I want to try and dive back in. I've selected Python since it's a readable, high level, beginner friendly language that's modern and used for all kinds of things.

I've never properly wrapped my head around a "real" programming language, but I have gotten comfortable with the C-like scripting language powering Adventure Game Studio[www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk], the point-and-click eventing system in RPG Maker, the object-oriented ROBOTIC scriping system in Megazeux[www.digitalmzx.com], and the scripting available to modders in Elder Scrolls games like Morrowind and Oblivion.

I spent a lot of time previously trying to learn QBasic/Quick Basic, but the best I could do there is a simple choose-your-own-adventure style text adventure. I tried to learn C++, but I never really even got past "Hello World".

If anyone can point me in the direction of some kind of course I could follow that's thorough, teaches Python from beginner level to advanced, preferably with more of a focus on creating desktop applications rather than web development, and is ADHD friendly, I will be eternally grateful.

[ナルゴ]

Purchase and read a programming book/ebook.
Code along with examples and do exercises. There's no getting around the non-ADHD parts.
Remove all distractions. No web browser, no game window, no music, no notifications. It should only be your editor and your book out.

I recommend the publishers; manning and pragmatic bookshelf.
And if you really want to get motivated. Build an application for yourself. Something that you will personally benefit from. To solve a problem you understand. Be your own customer/client.

Example: I tried and learned web scraping because I wanted to scrape all the lewd media from a certain website, and eventually managed download its entire catalog.
And right now I have a personal booru clone (browser based content viewing and tagging application) built from scratch running in a local server because I have hundreds of thousands of images and videos that would otherwise be lost in an ocean of disorganized folders.

[ナルゴ]

Since you've mentioned wanting to focus on desktop applications. Then rather than Python, I'd say go with C# or Java. Both are heavily used in enterprise (i.e. job security) and have plenty of resources for desktop application development. C# in particular could open the doors to windows video game development since Unity uses it.
Python, while popular for general usecases, is really limited IMO. Lacks performance, ecosystem of libraries/packages, and features that hosted languages such as C# and Java provide.

Also try SICP 2nd edition or SICP javascript edition. Excellent books for teaching programming fundamentals. You'll learn skills that are transferable to any programming language or technology you decide to use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9AZ8_dX6uA

[Heitor Villa-Lobos]

Now, don't take Nargo's second advice: run from C#! Is crap by M$.

C++, on the other hand, is life!

[ナルゴ]

Publicado originalmente por Heitor Villa-Lobos:

Now, don't take Nargo's second advice: run from C#! Is crap by M$.

C++, on the other hand, is life!

Hey I dislike C# too lol. But I'm not going to deny that C#, while it locks you into the microsoft sphere of influence, works well for what OP wants to get into (desktop development, presumably for windows platform).

If he's adventurous enough to seriously tackle C/C++, or god forbid Rust, then all the better.

[Heitor Villa-Lobos]

Publicado originalmente por Nargo:

Publicado originalmente por Heitor Villa-Lobos:

Now, don't take Nargo's second advice: run from C#! Is crap by M$.

C++, on the other hand, is life!

Hey I dislike C# too lol. But I'm not going to deny that C#, while it locks you into the microsoft sphere of influence, works well for what OP wants to get into (desktop development, presumably for windows platform).

If he's adventurous enough to seriously tackle C/C++, or god forbid Rust, then all the better.

Hahahah!

Well, desktop applications can be for decent, Unix-like systems, as well. The sooner we all ditch Microshaft's grip, the sooner we all will enter a nicer era of computing.

[Haruspex]

Huh. Some posts got deleted. Oh well.

Publicado originalmente por Nargo:

Purchase and read a programming book/ebook.
Code along with examples and do exercises. There's no getting around the non-ADHD parts.
Remove all distractions. No web browser, no game window, no music, no notifications. It should only be your editor and your book out.

I recommend the publishers; manning and pragmatic bookshelf.
And if you really want to get motivated. Build an application for yourself. Something that you will personally benefit from. To solve a problem you understand. Be your own customer/client.

Thank you for the publisher recommendation. I'll check it out. I do recall struggling through "QBasic for Dummies" which I checked out at the library during high school. You are right in that I can't avoid my ADHD. I have to work through it, or with it if I'm lucky and the conditions are right. Hyperfocus is real and amazing, but I can't count on it.

And I'm going into this as my own customer for sure. I'm not looking to turn it into a career. There are just things in my head that I want to make for myself, and if I ever want to see these things become a reality I have to do it myself. Nobody will make it for me.

Distractions are a problem, yes, but interestingly music seems to help as long as there are no lyrics and it's somewhat rhythmic and repetitive.

Publicado originalmente por Nargo:

Since you've mentioned wanting to focus on desktop applications. Then rather than Python, I'd say go with C# or Java.

I would rather stick to a more general-use language with multi-platform support. I had considered Java, but I gravitated towards Python due to it's reputation of being easier and friendlier to beginners while also being a general use language with a wide variety of applications, so if I wanted to check out automation, or web development, or machine learning at some point, I could. I would really like to just stick to one, and then once I feel confident that I've obtained a satisfying enough degree of competency, I'll look at branching out.

Publicado originalmente por Heitor Villa-Lobos:

Now, don't take Nargo's second advice: run from C#! Is crap by M$.

C++, on the other hand, is life!

Honestly being able to call myself a C++ programmer would be the ultimate goal for me, and a total badge of honor, but C++ was just way too overwhelming for now. I hear learning other languages gets easier once you already know one, so we'll see.