Python Programming for the Total Beginner from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will learn the absolute basics of how programs run, and why python is a great language.
You will learn how to use visual studio code to write and manage code like a pro!
You will be discovering the different data types python has to offer, and how to use them.
You will learn how to use control flow, to allow 'decision making' to happen in your code.
You will learn how to use loops to allow for iteration over data, and improve code efficiency.
You will learn how to write functions to allow for reusable blocks of code to be used elsewhere in your code.
You will learn how to deal with errors correctly, and discover how python manages errors internally.
You will learn how to open, write, read and edit files on your computer with python.

You will learn how to manipulate dates and times with the datetime module.
You will learn how to interact with your operating system with the os module.
You will learn how to deal with randomness with the random module.
You will learn how to combine all of the covered components and create professional, well documented python programs.
You will write 2 fully fledged python programs to a professional standard for use in your portfolio.
You will write 3 mini programs to test your python ability.
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You will learn the absolute basics of how programs run, and why python is a great language.
You will learn how to use visual studio code to write and manage code like a pro!
You will be discovering the different data types python has to offer, and how to use them.
You will learn how to use control flow, to allow 'decision making' to happen in your code.
You will learn how to use loops to allow for iteration over data, and improve code efficiency.
You will learn how to write functions to allow for reusable blocks of code to be used elsewhere in your code.
You will learn how to deal with errors correctly, and discover how python manages errors internally.
You will learn how to open, write, read and edit files on your computer with python.
You will learn how to manipulate dates and times with the datetime module.
You will learn how to interact with your operating system with the os module.
You will learn how to deal with randomness with the random module.
You will learn how to combine all of the covered components and create professional, well documented python programs.
You will write 2 fully fledged python programs to a professional standard for use in your portfolio.
You will write 3 mini programs to test your python ability.
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Understand what they are going to learn by the end of the course

Hello and welcome to the course!

A brief video which outlines how to navigate the sections, quizzes and coding assignments.

In this video we will take a look at what a program actually is, and how the computer processes Python code. We will also discuss high level vs low level languages.

Testing the basic understanding of what a program is

In this video we discuss the origins and history of Python, and give a brief introduction to some of the modules that come as standard.

A small quiz to test your knowledge on the python basics

In this video, we take a look at the Python website and downloading + installing Python. Once installed we will then run our very first program!

In this video we will install Visual Studio Code, which we will be using as our development environment from now on.

In this lecture we will discuss probably the most commonly used function in Python, the print function!

Comments are a way to annotate your code, and temporarily stop sections of code from running. This lecture discusses how to best use comments to your advantage.

Check your understanding of printing and use of comments

Variables are the absolute foundation of storing data within your code, in this lecture we discuss how variables work in Python and how they are defined + redefined.

In this lecture we will introduce the 4 basic data types in Python - Strings, Integers, Floats and Booleans.

In this lecture we will look at strings, which is the main way in which we will store textual data.

In this lecture we will look at how to define and use numbers in Python. Integers are whole numbers, and floats are decimal numbers. Understanding the difference is important!

In this video we briefly introduce the concept of a Boolean which is a way In which we can store True/False values.

Test your knowledge with the basics of variables

In this session on strings we look at how to access a specific character within a string using indexing. Indexing is also used with other data types in Python.

In this session on strings we naturally follow on from indexing with slicing. Slicing allows us to access multiple indices, rather than just one.

Catching user input allows our programs to take input from who ever is running them. In this lecture we discuss how this is done, and the precautions we need to consider.

There are many built-in functions in Python, such as print(). Many built-in functions work with strings, and in this lecture we review and use these functions to see what they can do.

String methods are tools that specifically belong to the string class, and in this session we look at some of the most commonly used string methods (Part 1).

In the final lecture on strings we look at formatting, which is a way of putting data from variables into our strings.

The basics of strings

A quiz on string methods.

String methods are tools that specifically belong to the string class, and in this session we look at some of the most commonly used string methods (Part 2).

In this lecture we introduce the various mathematical operations in Python which allow us to add, multiply, divide and much more!

In the final lecture in this section we look at the int(), float(), and str() functions which we will be using to convert between the 3 data types we have seen thus far.

A quick test on integers and floats.

In this lecture we will be looking at the comparison operators to evaluate the True/False value of expressions. Much of this will be directly related to the work on Control Flow, later in the course.

A quick quiz to assess your understanding of how a statement is either ‘True’ or ‘False’.

In this video we look at what control flow is, and why its so important in programming.

In this video we explore the most basic component of control flow which is the 'If statement'. This is where we can make a piece of code run if a certain condition is present.

In this video we explore the 'Else statement' which provides an alternate route for control flow, for when the if statement's condition is False.

In this video we introduce the "Elif statement" which site in between "If" and "Else" and allows for more complex control flow.

A nested "if statement" is one that is inside of another "if statement" and we introduce the syntax and benefits of these in this video.

In this small bonus video, we will look at conditional expressions... Essentially a one line if-else!

So far we have looked at single pieces of data such as names, numbers and booleans. In this video we introduce the concept of collections which is where we store multiple pieces of data in one variable.

Python has 4 main collection types, and in this video we introduce them and take a basic look at what they can do.

In the first video in this section we look at how to create Lists and Tuples, and look at the basic differences.

Remember Indexing & Slicing for strings? The exact same principles apply here too!

In this video we look at a range of built-in functions that can accept lists & tuples as their inputs, and we look at what these functions can be used for.

Adding to lists is a fundamental part of programming, and in this video we discuss the 3 methods which do this, and compare their uses.

In this video we look at how the Reverse and Sort methods can be used to rearrange a list.

The Count and Index methods are the only methods that work with both lists and tuples, and are useful for showing information about the contents of the lists & tuples.

In this quick video we take a look at the list.copy method.

Pop, Clear & Remove are 3 methods used to discard elements from a list, and this in video we discuss their different use cases.

Lists inside lists? We call this a nested list, and these are useful for representing 2-dimensional structures. In this video we look at how to create and interact with them.

A quiz to test your knowledge on the different list methods.

In the first video in this section we take a look at why dictionaries are so amazing! Then we have a quick look at making your first dictionary.

So far we have been using indexing & slicing to access items, but dictionaries are different! We use 'Keys' to access values and in this video we break this down and explain how it works.

These 3 methods can be used to return a dynamic view of the current state of the dictionary keys, values and items, and we explain how it works in this video.

Safely setting and retrieving keys & values is important to ensure your code doesn't crash. In this video we take a look at methods to do this.

Just like how we can remove items from a list using its methods, there are also 2 dictionary methods that can be used to remove items, and in this video we explore how they work.

A nested dictionary looks intimidating at first but fear not! We look at how it works in this video and explore the real life use cases such as JSON formatted data.

The dictionary update method is a really neat way to update the contents of a dictionary with the contents of another, and we explore the idea in this video.

A quiz to test your knowledge on the different dictionary methods. For consistency the same dictionary will be used throughout the 5 questions.

In the first video in this section we take a look the fundamentals of Sets, and some of the interesting behaviours they exhibit.

In this session we take a look at some basic Set Theory, which is helpful in understanding the concepts shown in the next 3 videos.

In this video we look at 2 commonly uses set operations, Union & Intersection.

In this video we look at 2 commonly uses set operations, Difference & Symmetric Difference.

In this video we look at set membership checks with the subclass and superclass methods.

In this video we look at methods which handle adding & removing elements to/from sets.

A quiz to test your knowledge on the different set methods.

A small quiz to test basic knowledge on Set Theory

In this video we briefly outline the differences between the two types of loops in Python.

In this video we introduce a basic while loop, and how to build them.

Following on from the previous video we introduce 2 new keywords 'break' & 'continue' which allow us to control the behaviour of the while loop.

Iterating over a string, list or tuple is a key part of programming and in this longer than usual video we take a look at how this is done and discuss the possibilities of what this can do for you.

The For loop can be used in tandem with the range function to make a block of code repeat a set number of times, and we explore this concept In this video.

Dictionary iteration is more complex as we have to choose which part of the dictionary we'd like to iterate over, and in this video we discuss how to iterate correctly.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses Visual Studio Code, which is a popular and versatile code editor favored by many professional developers for its extensive features and customization options

Includes numerous coding assignments, quizzes, and lines of reference code, providing ample opportunities for hands-on practice and knowledge reinforcement

Covers essential Python modules like 'datetime' and 'OS', enabling learners to manipulate dates/times and interact with the operating system for practical applications

Culminates in building substantial programs like a higher/lower guessing game and an interactive math quiz, fostering practical skills and portfolio-worthy projects

Requires Visual Studio Code, which may necessitate learners to download and install it on their computers, potentially posing a minor inconvenience

Teaches file handling, which may pose a security risk if learners are not careful about the files they open and execute

Reviews summary

Beginner-friendly python fundamentals with projects

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive experience for those new to programming. Students frequently highlight the clear and easy-to-follow explanations provided, noting that the pace is well-suited for absolute beginners. The course covers essential Python fundamentals, including variables, data types, control flow, loops, and functions, building a solid foundation. Many reviewers appreciate the hands-on approach and the inclusion of practical coding assignments and mini-projects, which help solidify understanding. While the course is praised for its beginner focus, some reviewers suggest it could delve deeper into certain topics or provide more challenging exercises for those who grasp concepts quickly. Overall, it's considered a strong starting point.

Teaching style is engaging and easy to follow.

"The instructor is fantastic! Very engaging and explains things in a way that makes them easy to grasp."

"His energy and clear communication made learning Python enjoyable."

"The lecturer is very knowledgeable and presents the material clearly."

"Great teacher, makes learning programming less intimidating."

Provides a solid base in essential Python topics.

"This course covers all the absolute basics I needed to get started: data types, control flow, loops, functions..."

"It's a great introduction to the core concepts of Python. I feel like I have a good foundation to build upon."

"The syllabus content is well-covered, giving a comprehensive overview of fundamental programming concepts in Python."

"Learned all the key things like lists, dictionaries, if statements, and for loops well."

Moves at a comfortable speed for new learners.

"The pace is perfect for someone who needs things explained slowly and clearly. It never feels rushed."

"I appreciated that the course didn't skip over the foundational concepts. The pace was just right for a total beginner like me."

"Compared to other beginner courses, this one takes its time to ensure you understand each step before moving on."

"Moves slowly enough to build a solid understanding."

Assignments and projects help apply learning.

"The coding assignments and 'pause and code' moments were incredibly helpful. Actually doing the coding made a big difference."

"Loved the mini-projects! They really put the concepts into practice and were satisfying to complete."

"The hands-on exercises are the highlight. They aren't overly complex but reinforce the lecture material effectively."

"The practical examples and coding challenges are great for cementing understanding."

Breaks down complex concepts simply for beginners.

"The instructor's explanations are so clear and easy to understand, even if you've never coded before. Highly recommend for total beginners."

"I struggled with other resources, but this course made sense of the basics. The way concepts were explained really clicked for me."

"Everything was presented in a very clear and logical manner, perfect for someone with zero programming experience."

"The step-by-step teaching style is perfect; I never felt lost."

"The explanation of topics like variables and loops was extremely clear and easy to follow."

Some topics could benefit from deeper coverage.

"While great for basics, some sections felt a bit rushed and could have gone into slightly more detail."

"I wish there were a few more challenging problems or a deeper dive into applying the concepts."

"Good foundation, but if you pick things up quickly, you might find yourself wanting more complex examples later in the course."

"For absolute beginners, it's perfect, but those looking for more than just the very surface might need additional resources."

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 Python Programming for the Total Beginner with these activities:

Review Basic Programming Concepts

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Reinforce fundamental programming concepts like variables, data types, and control flow to prepare for Python-specific implementations.

Browse courses on Programming Fundamentals

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Review notes from any prior programming courses or tutorials.
Complete online quizzes or practice exercises on basic programming concepts.
Write pseudocode for simple programming problems.

Read 'Python Crash Course'

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Supplement the course material with a comprehensive guide that reinforces fundamental concepts and provides practical coding examples.

View Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On,... on Amazon

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Read the first few chapters covering basic Python syntax and data structures.
Work through the example code and exercises provided in the book.
Try modifying the examples to experiment with different approaches.

Solve Basic Python Exercises

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Reinforce understanding of core concepts by completing coding exercises that focus on variables, data types, and control flow.

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Find online resources with Python coding exercises for beginners.
Solve at least 5-10 exercises per week, focusing on different concepts.
Review solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Create a Python Cheat Sheet

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Consolidate learning by creating a concise reference guide that summarizes key Python syntax, functions, and concepts covered in the course.

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Review course materials and identify the most important concepts.
Organize the information into a clear and concise format.
Include examples and explanations for each concept.
Share the cheat sheet with other students for feedback.

Build a Simple Calculator

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Apply learned concepts by developing a functional calculator program that performs basic arithmetic operations.

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Plan the program's structure and functionality.
Write the code to handle user input and perform calculations.
Test the program thoroughly and fix any bugs.
Add features like error handling and more advanced operations.

Dive into Python

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Deepen understanding of Python's advanced features and best practices by studying a comprehensive guide for experienced programmers.

View Dive Into Python 3 on Amazon

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Read chapters on topics like object-oriented programming and file handling.
Experiment with the code examples and try to adapt them to your own projects.
Research any unfamiliar concepts or techniques mentioned in the book.

Help Others on Forums

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Solidify your understanding by helping other students with their Python questions on online forums.

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Find online Python forums or communities.
Regularly browse the forums and answer questions from other students.
Explain concepts clearly and provide helpful code examples.
Ask for feedback on your answers to improve your explanations.

Career center

Learners who complete Python Programming for the Total Beginner will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

A software developer designs, develops, and tests software applications. This course is a perfect entry point for aspiring software developers, as it provides a thorough introduction to Python, a language widely used in software development. The course covers fundamental programming concepts such as data types, control flow, and loops, all of which are crucial for building any software application. Furthermore, working with functions, error handling, and file systems, as taught by the course, are essential skills for a software developer. The course features numerous coding assignments, quizzes, and interactive sessions that provide hands-on experience, and real world interview style questions to help prepare for a career. The capstone projects in the course, where learners create fully fledged Python programs, are especially useful and will lead to professional results. Anyone looking to become a software developer would benefit from this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Data Analyst

Data analysts use programming to process and interpret large datasets. This course is highly relevant for those interested in becoming a data analyst because it introduces Python, a popular language for data analysis. The course covers crucial Python concepts such as data types, collections, functions, and file handling. Data analysts frequently need to manipulate data, read data from files, and perform computations, all of which align with the topics covered by the course. Beyond the basics, the course works through the built in modules for working with time, randomness, and operating systems. Being able to harness Python's built in modules is a critical skill for data analysts. The emphasis on hands-on coding assignments, quizzes, and problem-solving sessions, including the construction of larger projects, makes the course a strong choice for those looking to enter data analysis. This course helps build a foundation for further study in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Automation Engineer

Automation engineers work to automate tasks and processes, often involving code, to increase efficiency and reduce human error. This course provides a strong foundation for aspiring automation engineers by teaching Python, a language commonly used in automation. The course's comprehensive coverage of programming fundamentals, including control flow, loops, functions, and error handling, are directly applicable to the creation of automation scripts. Furthermore, the course dives into file handling and interacting with the operating system and its modules, which are invaluable for building effective automation solutions. The hands-on approach and projects in the course will help automation engineers gain the practical skills needed for a successful career. Anyone pursuing a career as an automation engineer may find this course useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer

Scientific Programmer

Scientific programmers use programming to simulate, model, and analyze scientific data. This course is helpful for a scientific programmer as it provides a solid foundation in Python, a language widely used in scientific computing. Python's strength in the sciences stems from its rich libraries for mathematics, statistics, and data analysis, and the foundational aspects of Python programming are taught in this course. The course covers fundamental programming concepts such as data types, control flow, functions, and error management. It also covers file handling, and how to work with built-in Python modules, which are critical for any scientific programmer. This course is a great entry point for those interested in using programming for scientific applications. The hands-on approach, including projects, helps solidify the concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scientific Programmer

Web Developer

Web developers build and maintain websites and web applications, and backend developers frequently use Python. This course may be useful for those interested in becoming a web developer because it provides a beginner-friendly introduction to Python, which can be used to develop server-side web applications. The course's focus on core programming principles, such as data types, control flow, functions, and error management, helps build a good foundation for any web developer. This course also provides a basic understanding of file handling and the operating system which can be useful for backend web development. The hands-on approach with coding assignments and projects may help anyone seeking to enter the world of web development. While this course is not focused on front-end development, it may be a useful primer to anyone interested in a full-stack role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Game Developer

While this course does not focus specifically on game development, it may be useful to individuals interested in this field, as it provides a strong foundation in Python. Python is frequently a part of game development. This course's coverage of fundamentals such as control flow, loops, functions, and error handling, as well as working with files and the operating system, are a building block for game development. The course's emphasis on building full-fledged Python programs provides practical project experience. Game developers also need a foundation in programming, and this course can help with that goal. The hands-on approach will help anyone interested in game development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

System Administrator

System administrators manage and maintain computer systems and networks. This course, while not directly focused on system administration, may be useful because it teaches Python, a scripting language often used in this field to automate tasks. The course covers fundamental programming concepts like control flow, loops, functions, and error handling, which are essential for writing system scripts. This course also covers interacting with the file system and the operating system using Python's built-in modules. These are also useful for creating admin tools. This course could be a starting point for a person interested in a system administration career.

See salaries and explore the career path for System Administrator

Quality Assurance Engineer

Quality assurance engineers test software to ensure it meets quality standards. This course may be useful for QA engineers who seek to automate testing processes using Python. The course covers foundational programming elements such as data types, control flow, and loops. It also covers functions and error handling. Furthermore, the course teaches how to interact with the file system, which can be useful for collecting and evaluating test data. While the course does not directly address quality assurance strategies, it can help a QA engineer develop programming skills, which can be used to automate common tasks and processes. The hands-on projects and exercises in this course provide useful practice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded systems engineers design, develop and test the software that runs on microprocessors and microcontrollers in devices. This course may be useful for an embedded systems engineer as it begins by laying a foundation in Python, a language increasingly seen in some areas of embedded development. The course starts with programming basics such as data types, control flow, loops, and functions that are required to build any kind of software. The course also helps learners develop hands on experience in working with the operating system via Python. Although this course is not specifically aimed at embedded systems, anyone pursuing this career may find this a good starting point.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine learning engineers develop algorithms and models that allow computers to learn from data. This course may be useful for those interested in a machine learning engineering career, as it introduces Python, a dominant language in the field. The course's focus on foundational programming concepts such as data types, control flow, functions, and error handling may help learners establish an understanding of core programming principles. Additionally the course teaches how to work with files, essential for working with data sets. This course may be a useful stepping stone, though more advanced topics will be needed for a career in machine learning.

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Bioinformatician

Bioinformaticians analyze biological data using computer software. This course may be useful for those seeking to become a bioinformatician, as it provides a solid introduction to Python, a programming language frequently used in bioinformatics. The course focuses on critical programming concepts such as control flow, loops, functions, and error handling, all of which form a foundation for working with scientific data. File handling is also reviewed, which is essential for processing data sets. Although this course does not focus on the specifics of bioinformatics, it provides a good starting point for those seeking a career in the field, and the hands-on approach helps build confidence. A graduate degree is often required in this career field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Bioinformatician

Computational Linguist

Computational linguists apply computer science to analyze and understand language. This course may be useful to a computational linguist because it introduces Python, a popular language for text processing and data analysis. The course reviews core programming concepts like data types, control flow, functions, file handling, and error management. The course also goes over using loops and collections to manipulate or iterate over data, which is key to processing language effectively. The course’s projects will help build a portfolio. While this course does not focus explicitly on linguistics, a computational linguist may find this a good starting point. Graduate studies are often required in this career field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computational Linguist

Financial Analyst

A financial analyst evaluates financial data and makes recommendations. This course might be useful for those interested in financial analysis, as it introduces programming concepts in Python, which is increasingly being used in the financial sector for data analysis and automation. The course covers core programming elements, such as data types, control flow, loops, functions, and error handling. The course also covers file handling, which can be useful for financial data. While this course does not cover financial theory, a financial analyst may benefit from learning Python. The hands-on approach will help learners build confidence. This course may be useful for those trying to break into finance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Research Assistant

Research assistants help conduct research under the guidance of a principal investigator. This course may be useful to a research assistant because it covers Python, a language valuable for data analysis, automation, and scripting. The course’s emphasis on core programming, data types, control flow, functions, and error handling is a good starting point for any task that might need to be completed with code. This course also touches on file handling and operating system interactions via Python. While research assistant duties vary greatly depending on the field, this course may be a useful foundation for research that involves computational work, and it may also be useful to automate some tasks. This course may be useful to those pursuing a graduate degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Assistant

Technical Writer

Technical writers create documentation for software and other technical products. This course may be useful for a technical writer who wants to understand the material they are documenting because it introduces Python. While this course does not directly cover technical writing, it can give a technical writer a better understanding of the programming concepts and terminology that are often the basis of technical documentation. The course covers programming fundamentals like data types, control flow, loops and functions. Additionally, the hands-on programming exercises will help a technical writer gain familiarity with the material and may lead to better documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Python Programming for the Total Beginner

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Beginner-friendly python fundamentals with projects

Activities

Career center

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