Setup Python from Coursera

In this 2-hour long project-based course, you will learn how to:

- Describe the purpose of virtual environments in Python development

- Explain how to create and activate a virtual environment using the venv module

- Install packages and dependencies into a virtual environment using pip and requirements.txt.

Completing this project on setting up Python environments will provide learners with essential skills for professional Python development. Learning to properly manage dependencies is crucial for any programmer. This project stands out by using current best practices for Python packaging, avoiding deprecated approaches. Learners will benefit from gaining hands-on experience with critical tools like virtual environments, pip, and pyproject.toml. Following the opinionated recommendations in this project will equip learners with a streamlined workflow for configuring reproducible and isolated Python environments. The project uniquely focuses on real-world developer needs, not just toy examples. Learners will complete the project knowing how to dependency manage projects of any size for both dev and production. These professional techniques will enable learners to use Python for building robust applications across many domains.

What's inside

Syllabus

Project Overview

Learn how to work with Python and dependencies

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches essential skills for professional Python development

Provides hands-on experience with crucial tools like virtual environments, pip, and pyproject.toml

Focuses on practical aspects of working with Python and dependencies

Establishes a streamlined workflow for deploying Python projects in a variety of contexts

Taught by Alfredo Deza, an experienced instructor

Recommended for anyone seeking to strengthen their foundational Python skills

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Setup Python with these activities:

Review: Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

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Provides a comprehensive overview of Python basics, reinforcing the fundamentals covered in the course.

View Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 3rd... on Amazon

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Read chapters related to virtual environments.
Practice exercises on creating and managing Python environments.

Create an isolated and virtual environment

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Builds a foundation for managing Python dependencies and environments, avoiding common pitfalls and improving workflow.

Browse courses on Virtual Environments

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Set up a Python environment using virtualenv.
Install dependencies using pip.
Test the virtual environment by running a simple Python script.

Follow a Tutorial on Pipenv

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Introduces Pipenv as a tool for managing Python dependencies, complementing the course's focus on venv.

Browse courses on Python Packaging

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Find a tutorial on using Pipenv.
Follow the tutorial to set up a virtual environment using Pipenv.

Four other activities

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Code Challenge: Virtual Environment Management

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Tests understanding of virtual environment creation, dependency management, and environment isolation.

Browse courses on Virtual Environments

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Solve coding exercises on virtual environment setup.
Troubleshoot common errors related to virtual environments.

Develop a Python Package

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Applies knowledge to create a reusable Python package, reinforcing concepts of dependency management and environment isolation.

Browse courses on Python Packaging

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Design the package structure.
Write the Python code.
Create a setup.py file.
Test the package.

Contribute to an Open-Source Python Project

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Enhances understanding of Python environment management by contributing to real-world projects that utilize virtual environments.

Browse courses on Python

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Find an open-source Python project that uses virtual environments.
Identify an area for improvement or contribution.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

Hackathon: Python Environment Optimization

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Provides a challenging and collaborative environment to showcase skills in Python environment management.

Browse courses on Python Packaging

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Form a team and register for the hackathon.
Develop a solution to optimize Python environment setup and dependency management.
Present the solution to a panel of judges.

Career center

Learners who complete Setup Python will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Research Scientist

Research Scientists can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to develop and implement research projects. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Research Scientists create and manage the dependencies required for research. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large research projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

IT Architect

IT Architects can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to design and implement IT solutions. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help IT Architects create and manage the dependencies required for IT architecture. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large IT projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Architect

Security Analyst

Security Analysts can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to develop and implement security solutions. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Security Analysts create and manage the dependencies required for security analysis. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large security projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to develop and implement project solutions. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Project Managers create and manage the dependencies required for project management. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to build and maintain machine learning models. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Machine Learning Engineers create and manage the dependencies required for machine learning. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large machine learning projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to develop and implement business solutions. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Business Analysts create and manage the dependencies required for business analysis. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large business projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to build and maintain software applications. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Software Engineers create and manage the dependencies required for software development. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large software projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Product Manager

Product Managers can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to develop and implement product solutions. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Product Managers create and manage the dependencies required for product management. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large product projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Data Engineer

Data Engineers can use their expertise in Python and dependencies to build and maintain data pipelines. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Data Engineers create and manage the dependencies required for data engineering. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working with large data sets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to build and maintain CI/CD pipelines. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help DevOps Engineers create and manage the dependencies required for CI/CD. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to build and maintain cloud infrastructure. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Cloud Engineers create and manage the dependencies required for cloud engineering. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large cloud projects.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers can use their knowledge of Python and dependencies to develop and implement technical solutions. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Technical Writers create and manage the dependencies required for technical writing. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working on large technical projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists can use their expertise in Python and dependencies to build and deploy machine learning models. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Data Scientists create and manage the dependencies required for machine learning. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working with sensitive data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts can use their expertise in Python and dependencies to develop and implement quantitative models. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Quantitative Analysts create and manage the dependencies required for quantitative modeling. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working with sensitive data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts can use their expertise in Python and dependencies to manage and analyze large datasets. This course's coverage of virtual environments, pip, and requirements.txt will help Data Analysts create and manage the dependencies required for data analysis. It will also provide them with the skills needed to configure reproducible and isolated Python environments, a critical skill for working with sensitive data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst