Step-by-Step Guide to Start Machine Learning from Zero
Phase 1: Basic Programming (Python) 2 to 3 weeks
Start with Python. It's the most used language in ML.
What to Learn:
- Print, variables, data types (int, float, string, etc.)
- Conditions (if, else)
- Loops (for, while)
- Functions
- Lists, dictionaries, tuples
- Basic file handling (open, read, write)
- Basic error handling (try-except)
Resources:
- W3Schools Python Tutorial (https://www.w3schools.com/python/)
- YouTube: "Python for Beginners FreeCodeCamp"
- App suggestion: Sololearn (Python)
Mini Task:
print("Hello World")
Phase 2: Math for ML 2 to 3 weeks
ML needs some math. Dont worry, just basics.
Learn:
- Basic Linear Algebra (Vectors, Matrices)
- Probability (mean, median, std deviation)
- Graphs (from matplotlib)
- Basic Calculus (just understand derivatives, not solve)
Resources:
- YouTube: "Math for Machine Learning 3Blue1Brown"
- Book: Math for ML by Deisenroth (free PDF available)
- Khan Academy (for basics)
Phase 3: Python Libraries for Data 2 weeks
Learn to work with data using Python libraries.
Tools:
- NumPy: For numerical operations
- Pandas: For working with tables/data
- Matplotlib or Seaborn: For graphs
Resources:
- YouTube: "Pandas Crash Course Corey Schafer"
- Kaggle: https://www.kaggle.com/learn/python
Phase 4: Intro to Machine Learning 3 to 4 weeks
Now you can start ML basics using Scikit-Learn.
Topics:
- Supervised vs Unsupervised Learning
- Regression (e.g., Linear Regression)
- Classification (e.g., Decision Trees, KNN)
- Clustering (e.g., K-Means)
Resources:
- YouTube: "Machine Learning in 100 Seconds Fireship"
- Book: Hands-On ML with Scikit-Learn by Aurlien Gron
- FreeCodeCamp ML course (YouTube)
Try Simple Code:
from sklearn.linear_model import LinearRegression
model = LinearRegression()
Phase 5: Projects & Practice Ongoing
The best way to learn is to build.
Beginner Projects:
- Predict house prices
- Iris flower classification
- Spam email classifier
- Titanic survival prediction (Kaggle)
Practice Platforms:
- Kaggle: https://www.kaggle.com/
- Google Colab: https://colab.research.google.com/
Roadmap Summary:
| Phase | Focus | Time |
|-------|------------------------|------------|
|1 | Python Basics | 23 weeks |
|2 | Math for ML | 23 weeks |
|3 | Python Libraries | 2 weeks |
|4 | Intro to ML | 34 weeks |
|5 | Projects | Ongoing |
Optional Next Steps (Advanced):
Once you're confident, you can explore:
- Neural Networks & Deep Learning (with TensorFlow/PyTorch)
- Natural Language Processing (text)
- Computer Vision (images)
