Python for Beginners

Learn Python-- The Swiss Army Knife of Coding Languages

Created bySkillSprints Inc., Mark Lassoff

Last updated 1/2021

English

What you'll learn

How to use the Python Shell
How to use interactive mode in Python
How to develop and run programs in the IDLE editor
How to run Python scripts directly from the command line
How to use the print() function
How to use separators and new line characters to modify command line output
Assign variables of different types
Understand integer, floating point, complex and string variables
Be able to extract substrings
Easily concatenate strings
Create Lists and Tuples
Create key value pairs and store them in dictionaries
Understand mathematical operators used in Python
Apply the order of operations to mathematical operations
Utilize comparison operators to determine logical outcomes
Use logical operators to join comparisons
Write conditional statements to correctly branch code
Use If, else and else if statements to apply branching
Understand how and when to used nested if statements
Use the shortcut Ternary operator
Be able to use looping structures effectively
Create While loops
Be able to use For loops to loop through an objects properties
Be able to construct nested loops and understand their utility.
Cast variables from one type to another using built-in Python functions
Use the Mathematical functions within Python to evaluate expressions
Randomize numbers and selections with the Randomization tools
Use Python String functions such as find(), join() and split()
Create immutable tuples
Access values within tuples
Use tuple functions to manipulate tuple data
Declare a dictionary and populate it with key/value pairs
Access and edit values within dictionaries
Extract date and time information from the time tuple
Use the calendar object to work with calendar related information
Create custom functions
Send arguments to functions using order or keyword
Create default function arguments
Read and obtain keyboard input
Read from a text file and process the data in Python
Write to a text file from Python
Append to a text file
Handle exceptions with try/except/else in Python
Use Python within the cgi-bin or a web server
Process form data from Python

Course content

13 sections • 64 lectures • 5h 21m total length

About the Instructor1:07
Quick Start: Writing Your First Python Program8:25
Hit the road running and write your very first Python program in this first section. Even if you've never written a line of code before, this section will get you coding in Python!
Using the Shell Window4:46
The IDLE environment includes the shell window and interactive mode. We'll try working in interactive mode in this section of the course.
Writing Code in the Editor Window6:48
You'll spend most of your time coding in the code editor window. In this section, you'll join Mark, as he creates a program in the code window and executes it.
Executing Python on the Command Line5:22
Remember the old "C" prompt? We're actually going to use it to compile and run our Python code.

Section Introduction0:42
For the user to see the results of a Python program, you have to understand the output. We're going to look at command line output in this section.
The print() Function3:54
There's a bit more than meets the eye when it comes to the print() function. We'll take a thorough look at print() output in this segment of the course.
Separators and Newlines6:02
You can take more control of command line output by using separators and newline characters. Mark will demonstrate them in this section

Section Introduction1:05
You probably remember variables from your high school algebra class. Solve for 'x' was a common instruction. We'll be talking about variables and how they related to Python programming in this section of the course.
Variable Assignment7:50
When you first create a variable and provide it a value the process is known as "variable assignment". Mark will demonstrate the process in this video.
Number Variables (Int, float and complex)6:58
Python handles several types of values. We'll survey integers, floating point numbers and complex numbers in this section.
String Variables5:11
One of Python's strengths is the ability to process strings. You'll learn how to use string variables in Python in this segment of the course
Substrings and Concatenation8:35
Python let's you easily manipulate substrings and concatenate strings. Mark will show you how in this course video.
Variables with Lists, Tuples and Dictionaries6:39
Variables can hold single values, but also more complex structures such as lists and tuples. We'll introduce the concepts of lists and tuples in this section.

Section Introduction1:06
Operators are used to complete arithmetic, make decisions and much more in coding. Mark will review all of the common operators in Python during this section.
Python Mathemtical Operators9:20
Let Python do the math for you. You'll see a few mathematical operators you're familiar with-- and a few you're not in this section.
Order of Operations5:04
PEMDAS. The order of operations is important to understand when working with mathematics in Python.
Python Comparison Operators5:50
In order for programs to make decisions, we have to make comparisons. You'll learn about the comparison operators in this video lecture.
Python Logical Operators4:31
The logical operators AND and OR are used for making compound and complex evaluations in Python. You'll learn how to apply the skill in this section.

Section Introduction0:57
Branching is decision-making in Python code. The program will follow one path-- or another-- based on evaluating a condition. Mark will explain several types of conditional statements in this chapter.
Simple If Statements7:03
Basic branching logic in Python starts with the if statement. You'll learn how to use if in this video.
If.... Else Statements8:53
The introduction of the else statement to conditional logical allows you to code for multiple outcomes when Python code is evaluating a condition.
Nested If Statements4:44
Sometimes when coding, logic requires one if statement to live inside another. These are known as nested if statements and Mark will show you how to use them in this segment.
Ternary Operator4:39
Impress your coder friends by using this shortcut if/else structure.

Section Introduction1:03
Loops allow a section of code to be repeated based on evaluating some condition. Many processes in programs are within loops. A program that deals cards uses loops, as do word processors, spreadsheets and games.
While Loops8:30
While loops are Python's primary looping structure. You'll learn how to create while loops in this course segment.
For Loops6:10
For loops in Python are a bit different than for loops in most other programming languages. Watch this video and learn how useful Python's for loop is.
Nested Loops5:27
Just like if statements, program logic sometimes calls for loops to be nested inside one another. You'll see exactly hows nested loops work in this video.
Break and Continue Statements5:03
The break and continue statements give you, as the Python programmer, more control over loop execution. You'll learn how to use break and continue in this video.

Section Introduction0:58
Python has a suite of built-in math functions that make complex calculations easy. We'll be looking at functions in the math library in this course chapter.
Casting Functions4:41
Often when coding you'll have to change a value from a float to a string or string to an integer. The casting functions will show you how to do this. Mark demonstrated casting in this video.
Mathematical Functions4:42
You'll learn some of the advanced math functions that are available in Python.
Random Functions5:24
Python has a great suite of randomization tools. You'll learn how to use several randomization functions in this video lecture.

Section Introduction0:49
Python is frequently used for string manipulation and processing. Many who work with large amounts of data complete string processing in Python. We'll demonstrate some of Python's string functions in this chapter.
capitalize(), center() and count()5:53
Mark demonstrates three string functions found in the Python programming language.
find(), isalpha(), isdigit()4:38
You'll learn find() and two other important String functions.
join(), len(), split()3:01
You'll learn how to do some String manipulation with the powerful join() and split() functions.

Section Introduction1:03
Tuples and dictionaries are data structures within the Python environment that allow you to store more complex data. You'll find these used frequently by Python developers because there are many convenient functions that can be used to manipulate data stored in these structures.
Creating Tuples4:09
Tuples are lists that cannot be changed once stored. Tuples are often used to store non-dynamic information that is needed through the lifetime of a Python script.
Accessing Values in Tuples6:22
Once stored, the data in a tuple can be accessed and retrieved. Mark demonstrates in this video lecture.
Tuple Functions11:17
In this section, you'll learn some of the functions that you can use with Tuples.
Declaring a Dictionary4:33
Dictionaries provide the opportunity to store key-value data about a single entity in a single object. You'll learn how to use dictionaries in this section.
Accessing and Editing Values in Dictionaries5:01
Once you've created a dictionary, you're going to need to access, edit and delete values in the dictionary. Mark shows you how in this section of the course.
Dictionary Functions7:37
Like other objects in Python, Dictionaries have a number of functions that make manipulating dictionary data easier. You'll learn how in this section.

Section Introduction0:43
Programmers frequently have to work with times and dates. Python has a number of tools to assist you with time and date information. In this section you'll learn some of the time and date functions available in Python.
The Time Tuple4:50
The time tuple provides information about the current time and date. You'll access it in this section of the course.
The Calendar2:03
The calendar object allows you to manipulate calendar data. Mark explains in this section of the course.
Time and Calendar Functions5:11
The time and calendar utility functions in Python will help you work with time and date data in the language.

Requirements

Students should be comfortable working in the PC or Mac operating system

Description

See why over 350,000 Udemy members learn coding from Mark Lassoff!

Few programming languages provide you with the flexibility and pure power of Python.

If you're becoming a professional developer, or are early in your development career, adding the Python skill set isn't just a resume embellishment-- It's an empowering language that will allow you to write procedural code in many types of environments and for many uses.

Python is commonly used for server-side programming for complex web applications or as a middle tier language providing web services or a communication layer with larger ecommerce systems. That being said, it's also a great language for beginners. The clear syntax makes it very easy to learn, and the powerful libraries make all types of programming possible. There are libraries for everything from games and graphics to complex mathematics to network and embedded programming.

Watch, Learn and Do

Programming is not a spectator sport and if you want to learn Python well, this course contains everything you need.

Skill-oriented instructor-led lectures will demonstrate each important Python skill. You'll be able to study and modify the code on your own to cement each topic. Python code coding lab exercises will familiarize you not just with Python syntax, but how real problem-solving in Python is done. You'll complete a more comprehensive project to help you integrate the different skills that are part of core Python.

Who this course is for:

First time Python programmers
Students and Teachers
IT pros who want to learn to code
Aspiring data scientists who want to add Python to their tool arsenal

Python for Beginners

What you'll learn

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Course content

Getting Started5 lectures • 26min

Output3 lectures • 11min

Variables6 lectures • 36min

Operators5 lectures • 26min

Code Branching5 lectures • 26min

Loops5 lectures • 26min

Math Functions4 lectures • 16min

Python String Functions4 lectures • 14min

Tuples and Dictionaries7 lectures • 40min

Time and Date4 lectures • 13min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: