Embarking on My Python Writing Journey: A Personal Introduction
Written on
Chapter 1: A Glimpse into My Background
As I set out to write my inaugural post on Medium, I found myself reflecting on the topic I wanted to introduce. It took considerable contemplation—more time than it took to actually compose this text! Ultimately, I decided to share a bit about myself, hoping it will help you decide if my articles are worth your time. So, here we go.
As a reader—yes, you are indeed my reader—I believe you deserve to know a few things about me. I wear multiple hats: I am a scientist, a data scientist, an R programmer, a Python programmer, and now, I am venturing into the realm of Python writing.
Before diving deeper into the concept of a Python writer, let me first introduce myself.
I am a scientist with over 23 years of experience. I hold various academic credentials from Poland, including M.Sc., Ph.D., habilitation, and professorship. My research spans several interdisciplinary fields, including statistics in agriculture, biology, food sciences, survey sampling, data visualization, econometrics, and more. Research holds a significant place in my heart, and I aspire to continue contributing to it.
I am also a data scientist. Interestingly, I was involved in data science even before the term was popularized in 2008. From the start of my career, I have engaged with statistics, data analysis, and programming, building numerous models for forecasting and machine learning. My affinity for data has always been strong, reflected in the countless datasets I’ve analyzed and visualizations I’ve created.
As an R developer, I began my programming journey in 1991 but took a hiatus until 2003, when I discovered R. Since then, I've primarily utilized it for data exploration and visualization, particularly with R Shiny. While I find R quite valuable for data manipulation and visualization tasks, I prefer Python for software development, prompting my transition to Python.
I am a Python developer. Python resonates with me in a way that no other language has. Since I started using it in 2018, my enthusiasm has only grown. I relish the process of coding in Python, discussing its features, and contributing to the community through open-source projects like perftester and makepackage. My connection with Python was instantaneous, and it has been an enriching experience ever since. For more about my journey with Python, you can check out my PyDev of the Week interview.
In addition to programming, I have a passion for scientific writing and editing. Throughout my scientific career, I have relished the writing process—an unusual trait among scientists. This passion has led me to publish numerous works (though my publishing record is modest compared to many). I find joy in each stage of writing, from drafting to revising, continuously striving for improvement. Although I often feel unsatisfied with my work, perhaps that desire for perfection drives me to produce higher-quality content.
Now, as a Python writer, I realize it’s time to share my insights and knowledge about Python. While I've contributed documentation for my projects, I have yet to produce a scientific article or blog post focused solely on Python. This realization has sparked my commitment to change. Medium feels like the ideal platform for this endeavor, and I am excited to begin my journey as a Python writer! Since then, I've authored several articles on Python, primarily featured in Towards Data Science and other platforms.
In terms of personal life, I cherish spending time with my family, living in a wooden house nestled in the scenic Beskid Niski mountains, close to nature. Our home is shared with two dogs and three cats, and we frequently encounter local wildlife, including deer and foxes. My past as a musician also holds a special place in my heart; I was part of the Warsaw Village Band and have released albums that I hold dear.
Now, the question arises: Is Medium truly a fitting venue for writing about Python? There is an abundance of Python content here—does the world need another Python writer? I believe that even if much has been written, Python's rapid evolution offers numerous opportunities to share insights about new features and updates. Additionally, I have observed that many resources available online, including on Medium, lack quality and peer review. This reality underscores the need for reliable content, especially for beginners who might encounter misleading information.
I aspire to maintain a high standard in my writing, and I welcome feedback on any errors or suggestions for improvement. My aim is to leverage my extensive knowledge in data science, programming, and writing to provide valuable content. I hope you will join me on this exciting journey as we explore the world of Python together!
The first video, titled "Writing a Python Program - Simple Workflow," provides an excellent overview of foundational Python programming concepts and practical workflows for beginners.
In the second video, "Python Tutorial for Beginners #1: Write Your First Program and Learn How to Debug," viewers will gain insights into writing their first Python program, along with essential debugging techniques.