From R to Python: A Gentle Introduction

Recap & Resources - Recording Now Available!

Python

Published

April 27, 2025

This April 2025, R-Ladies Rome hosted a beginner-friendly workshop titled “From R to Python: A Gentle Introduction”, designed to help R users and beginners take their first steps into the world of Python. This hands-on session welcomed attendees from various backgrounds, creating an inclusive and supportive learning space.

Whether you’ve never written a line of Python or you’re just curious how it compares to R, this event aimed to make that transition approachable and fun.

💡 What We Covered

During the session, we explored:

The similarities and differences between R and Python
How to perform common data analysis tasks in Python
An introduction to popular Python libraries like pandas, scikit-learn, and seaborn

We also demoed basic workflows, provided a starter script, and answered audience questions live.

📊 What You Said

We asked participants three short questions using Slido. Here’s what they shared:

🟣 On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you with programming languages?

🟣 What is your favorite programming language?

🟣 How familiar are you with Python?

📦 Workshop Materials

All workshop materials are freely available:

You’ll find setup instructions, sample datasets, and the Python scripts we used during the event.

🎥 Recording

You can rewatch the full event on our YouTube channel:

🎬 Watch the Video Now Simply click on the video below to catch up on the discussion:

Whether you missed the event or just want a refresher, it’s all there for you.

📚 Learn More: Python Resources for Beginners

If you’re ready to keep going, here are some recommended resources:

Python for Data Analysis (Wes McKinney) – The classic book for learning pandas and data wrangling in Python.
Real Python – A comprehensive site full of beginner tutorials and hands-on examples.
Python Basics – Simple and direct explanations of core Python concepts.
DataCamp’s Python tracks – Interactive exercises for data science beginners.
The Carpentries Python Lessons – Friendly workshops teaching foundational skills.
Kaggle Python Micro-Course – Great for learning through applied exercises.

If you prefer video: - Corey Schafer YouTube Channel – Detailed and beginner-friendly. - freeCodeCamp Python course – Full-length intro course, highly rated.

📌 Tip: Pick one small project and try to replicate it in Python from R. This hands-on approach accelerates learning.

💜 Thank You

Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and asked questions. Your curiosity and enthusiasm made this event a success!

Stay tuned for upcoming R-Ladies Rome events — and until then, happy coding 🐍💜