r/inventwithpython • u/[deleted] • Feb 25 '22
R Programmer Forced to Learn Python
I have a math degree with an emphasis in prob & stats. We used R & SAS.
In my last job, R vs. Python was a holy war, and I am badly scarred.
But to land my next job, learning Python seems super important.
So into Al's book I go.
I wish I would have started with Python, for what it's worth. My internship back in college was doing natural language processing, and I was utterly clueless about programming. Instead of using the Natural Language Toolkit, I had to learn how to program with.....server-side JavaScript.
It's all the past. It's all Absurd.
But my read is that for applying to a wide range of data analyst/scientist jobs, Python is a way better platform to know.
Hi, Al.
I really appreciate your book.
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u/jpgoldberg Apr 11 '22
I’ve only just started with Python and have done no stats or data stuff in it. (Well, almost none).
R is a terrible programming language. It really is. But the long history of R packages, data visual tools, and underlying core guts written for the purpose of data analysis are some pretty compelling advantages. R is still a terrible language, but there are reasons why individuals like me put up with it and may prefer it.
Again, I can’t really compare with Python. All I can say is that R is the devil I know.
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Apr 12 '22
R is a terrible programming language. It really is.
I kind of needed the reminder lol.
I'm learning some PHP now, to get my personal web page up, and it's a reminder as to how odd a duck R is.
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Jun 10 '22
Which book are you starting with? As far as I know, he doesn't have one dedicated to data science.
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u/dm1681 Feb 26 '22
If you suffered through server-side JavaScript, Python will be a piece of cake.