# Prerequisites & Self-Assessment

**Purpose**: Ensure you have the foundational knowledge to succeed in TinyTorch and discover complementary resources for deeper learning.

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## Core Requirements

You need TWO things to start building:

### 1. Python Programming
- Comfortable writing functions and classes
- Familiarity with basic NumPy arrays
- No ML framework experience required—you'll build your own!

**Self-check**: Can you write a Python class with `__init__` and methods?

### 2. Basic Linear Algebra
- Understand matrix multiplication conceptually
- Know what a gradient (derivative) represents at a high level

**Self-check**: Do you know what multiplying two matrices means?

**That's it. You're ready to start building.**

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## "Nice to Have" Background

**We teach these concepts as you build**—you don't need them upfront:

- **Calculus (derivatives)**: Module 05 (Autograd) teaches this through implementation
- **Deep learning theory**: You'll learn by building, not lectures
- **Advanced NumPy**: We introduce operations as needed in each module

**Learning Philosophy**: TinyTorch teaches ML systems through implementation. You'll understand backpropagation by building it, not by watching lectures about it.

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## Self-Assessment: Which Learning Path Fits You?

### Path A: Foundation-First Builder (Recommended for most)
**You are:**
- Strong Python programmer
- Curious about ML systems
- Want to understand how frameworks work

**Start with**: Module 01 (Tensor)

**Best for**: CS students, software engineers transitioning to ML, anyone wanting deep systems understanding

### Path B: Focused Systems Engineer
**You are:**
- Professional ML engineer
- Need specific optimization skills
- Want production deployment knowledge

**Start with**: Review Foundation Tier (01-07), focus on Optimization Tier (14-19)

**Best for**: Working engineers debugging production systems, performance optimization specialists

### Path C: Academic Researcher
**You are:**
- ML theory background
- Need implementation skills
- Want to prototype novel architectures

**Start with**: Module 01, accelerate through familiar concepts

**Best for**: PhD students, research engineers, anyone implementing custom operations

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## Complementary Learning Resources

### Essential Systems Context

**[Machine Learning Systems](https://mlsysbook.ai)** by Prof. Vijay Janapa Reddi (Harvard)
- TinyTorch's companion textbook providing systems perspective
- Covers production ML engineering, hardware acceleration, deployment
- **Perfect pairing**: TinyTorch teaches implementation, ML Systems book teaches context

### Mathematical Foundations

**[Deep Learning Book](https://www.deeplearningbook.org/)** by Goodfellow, Bengio, Courville
- Comprehensive theoretical foundations
- Mathematical background for concepts you'll implement
- **Use alongside TinyTorch** for deeper understanding

### Visual Intuition

**[3Blue1Brown: Neural Networks](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZHQObOWTQDNU6R1_67000Dx_ZCJB-3pi)**
- Visual explanations of backpropagation, gradient descent, neural networks
- **Perfect visual complement** to TinyTorch's hands-on implementation

**[3Blue1Brown: Linear Algebra](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZHQObOWTQDPD3MizzM2xVFitgF8hE_ab)**
- Geometric intuition for vectors, matrices, transformations
- **Helpful refresher** for tensor operations and matrix multiplication

### Python & NumPy

**[NumPy Quickstart Tutorial](https://numpy.org/doc/stable/user/quickstart.md)**
- Essential NumPy operations and array manipulation
- **Review before Module 01** if NumPy is unfamiliar

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## Ready to Begin?

**If you can:**
1. ✅ Write a Python class with methods
2. ✅ Explain what matrix multiplication does
3. ✅ Debug Python code using print statements

**Then you're ready to start building!**

**Not quite there?** Work through the resources above, then return when ready. TinyTorch will still be here, and you'll get more value once foundations are solid.

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## Next Steps

**Ready to Build:**
- See [Quick Start Guide](quickstart-guide.md) for hands-on experience
- See [Student Workflow](student-workflow.md) for development process
- See [Course Structure](chapters/00-introduction.md) for full curriculum

**Need More Context:**
- See [Additional Resources](resources.md) for broader ML learning materials
- See [FAQ](faq.md) for common questions about TinyTorch
- See [Community](community.md) to connect with other learners

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**Your journey from ML user to ML systems engineer starts here.**