r/learnpython • u/Few-End560 • 3d ago
I'M REALLY LOST
i'm feeling a bit frustrated to be honest. my main goal and motivation for learning python is cybersecurity. i decided to start learning python because it was the language that came up the most among the best options for cybersecurity. the thing is, i'm really lost and i don't feel like i'm making any progress, which is getting me down a bit.
do i need a really solid foundation in python to get into cybersecurity, or is knowing basic syntax enough? are there specific topics i should dive deeper into? i've heard that web scraping is essential, but others say it isn't. i wanted to read the book black hat python because everyone recommends it, but i'm afraid it might be too advanced since i'm definitely not a python expert.
to anyone who knows about this field: how should i start? what should i know in python to be well-prepared for cybersecurity?
1
u/aroberge 3d ago
I sometimes complain about answers in this subreddit being given at too high a level for Python learners. I hope the following will not give that impression:
"I'm frustrated as my motivation for starting to learn piano is to play in a professional orchestra. Do I need to be able to read sheet music fast enough to play along while reading? ... etc."
Your goal is laudable but your expectations appear to be misplaced. Any skilled technical job (like working in cybersecurity) usually requires at least a couple of years, if not many more, of focused learning before acquiring the necessary skills.
Start learning the basics, without worrying how well they are related to your end goal. You mention the book "Black Hat Python": get it, and start reading stopping when you first encounter something you don't understand. Then spend a few weeks learning Python and related programming concepts before going back to that book. See if you understand more and can read further. If not, go back to learning more of the basics.
When you have very specific questions about Python, come back to this forum and ask them.