How to code in 2024 (for regular people)

Introduction

This tutorial aims to guide you through the essential steps to start coding in Python, specifically for automating trading decisions. Coding has become a fundamental skill, akin to reading and writing, and anyone with basic computer skills can learn it. By the end of this tutorial, you will be familiar with coding basics, enabling you to automate your trading effectively.

Step 1: Understanding the Importance of Coding

• Recognize coding as a vital skill in today's world.
• Appreciate how coding can help automate tasks and remove emotional decision-making from trading.
• Understand that coding is accessible to everyone, regardless of educational background.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Coding Environment

• Use Google Colab for coding as it is free and user-friendly.
• Create a Google account if you don’t have one.
• Open Google Colab and start a new notebook to begin coding.

Step 3: Learning Python Basics

Step 3.1: Understanding Python Syntax

• Familiarize yourself with basic Python syntax such as indentation and comments.
• Comments in Python are indicated by #. Use them to explain your code.

Step 3.2: Working with Variables and Data Types

• Learn to declare variables using simple assignments:

  my_variable = 10
  

Understand different data types in Python

• Integers (e.g., 5)
• Floats (e.g., 5.5)
• Strings (e.g., "Hello")

Step 4: Control Structures in Python

• Implement control structures to make decisions in your code.

Use if-else statements for conditional logic:

if my_variable > 5

print("Greater than 5")

else

print("5 or less")
• Avoid common pitfalls by ensuring you use correct syntax and indentation.

Step 5: Working with Lists and Dictionaries

Step 5.1: Using Lists

• Create a list to store multiple items:

  my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4]
  

• Access list elements using their index, starting from zero.

Step 5.2: Understanding Dictionaries

• Use dictionaries to store key-value pairs:

  my_dict = {"key1": "value1", "key2": "value2"}
  

• Access values using keys.

Step 6: Advanced Python Concepts

Step 6.1: Functions

Define functions to organize your code:

def my_function(param)

return param * 2
• Call functions using their name followed by parentheses.

Step 6.2: Error Handling and Debugging

Use try and except to handle errors gracefully:

try

# risky code

except Exception as e

print(e)

Step 6.3: Introduction to Loops

Use loops to execute code multiple times:

for i in range(5)

print(i)

Step 7: Data Structures with Pandas

• Install the Pandas library using:

  !pip install pandas
  

• Use Pandas to work with data frames, making data manipulation easier.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned the foundational skills required for coding in Python, which can empower you to automate your trading decisions. Start practicing by writing simple scripts and gradually move towards more complex projects. As you continue this journey, consider joining communities like the one mentioned in the video for support and resources. Happy coding!