Why learn programming?

There are many reasons to learn programming.

• Beginning programming can be learned easily and can be done for free and only takes a few weeks!
  
• Programming doesn't require a huge problem to be worthwhile. Like drawing, or juggling, or cartwheeling, can be done for it's own sake and for fun.
  
• Learning programming affects the way your mind works. It allows you to systematically approach and solve problems; a skill which can improve the skills you already have.
  
• Programming can be useful to anyone who needs to organize information, or do small tasks repeatedly. It can help with keeping track of how much you spend on dog food, when your friend's birthdays are coming up, what your current grade is in class, or which of your portfolio investments are under performing.
  
• Programming is a means of empowering yourself and improving your employability. It can help to separate you from the pack.

Why learn Python?

Python is a simple yet powerful programming language with many applications. It is simple enough for young children to learn but powerful enough to be applied in some of the most high-tech cutting edge research going on today. Python can be applied to many different fields including:

• Digital Art (particularly in the film industry)
• Scientific Computing
• Computer Vision (for robotics and image analysis)
• Web Development
• Business Applications
• Education

Additionally, Python can act as a spring board into more complicated and powerful programming languages such as Java, C++, PHP, and Ruby. Once you learn the basic principles of programming in Python, it is much easier to learn the intricacies of more advanced programming languages.