I think Python is one of the easiest languages to pick up with a plethora of content available to start. Yet I have seen some crunch in number python programmers in the market lately. Companies struggling to hire python guys. Not sure why?
Seems like the only choices for now are Java and PHP, at least here in Austria - and I'll probably stop programming myself if we switch to any of these.
I tried Learn Python the Hard Way, but when I finished the book I didn't feel like I had the skills to start a project, so I read the Django Book. I am more of a designer than a developer, I really want to get over the hump and start writing code that can do the things I envision.
I've tried codecademy, which is helpful, but I still don't feel I'm there yet. I have started a "web app", but I got stuck on a few features I want to add, so I'm stalling on those.
I'd really appreciate any guidance! No formal education, all self taught. I have grown immensely as a web designer over the past year, but my programming skills aren't growing nearly as fast...or at all anymore.
This makes me think that a program that connects mentors and students would be very useful. I'm not necessarily thinking of it as a money-making endeavour, but some resources need to be found to make the project self-sustainable.
In your case, I guess the thing to do would be to google an open-source django app. Find something you like from the templates director. Copy what you like and build out from there.
The Python exercises on codeacademy are there to strengthen your grasp of python syntax and practice for loops.
I recommend Udacity CS101 and/or edx 6.00x. Both are Intro to CS courses which use Python.
If you're talking of django/web-frameworks, well it'll be a little more effort since it involves some stuff (concepts of MVC, etc) other than python per se. So you could start by understanding of web development in general. But django docs tutorials are also pretty good.
It is strange to me as well, that I see so many people passionate about Python and, at the same time, I hear so many companies having difficulties finding Python devs.
One reason could be that the interest in Python varies by country. For example, in Romania there are very few Python programmers. Secondly, maybe the companies have too high expectations, asking for front and back-end experience and maybe even some low-level skills (C, C++).
``'number of coders in java' > 'number of coders in python'
Well, that is a no-brainer, since its the most popular language taught in colleges with C++ a close second. That said, there are a _lot_ of smarties coming out of colleges and its just a matter of polishing the diamonds in the rough before they get 'lured in' by low paying IT companies. I don't see why Joel Spolsky's tactic of 'snatching' promising young talents before even hitting their final year in college won't work; albeit a little work from your part.