Aspiring Pythonista

My interest in programming, next step, and why python

My fascination with computers and by extension programming dates back to the early eighties with my father’s Atari 800 computer. I remember spending hours—at least what felt like hours—loading B-1 Nuclear Bomber from a cassette tape drive into the computer. At that time, a successful gaming session consisted of loading the game on the first try, playing the game without a crash, and finally completing the in-game mission. It was and still is magic to me, that a programmer can write lines of code that make it possible for me to send an email, post to a blog, or fly a simulated bomber.

The sense of magic drives my interest in programming. I regularly dabble with various programming tools, languages, and related technologies. My livelihood does not depend on my programming skill but my accumulated tinkering certainly pays dividends. I understand the wizard’s craft, can speak their language, and bridge the void between them and the layperson. While I enjoy the conduit role, my respect for the masters of the craft is a strong draw on me to take the next step. I want to be a wizard—if only a minor one.

I am excited to begin my journey to become a Pythonista—wizard using Python language. I chose Python because it is approachable and used in Finance and Data Analytics both areas I have personal interests and ideas to develop. As part of my learning plan I will post updates on my progress.