Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries from Coursera

This course introduces the dictionary data structure and user-defined functions. You’ll learn about local and global variables, optional and keyword parameter-passing, named functions and lambda expressions. You’ll also learn about Python’s sorted function and how to control the order in which it sorts by passing in another function as an input. For your final project, you’ll read in simulated social media data from a file, compute sentiment scores, and write out .csv files. It covers chapters 10-16 of the textbook “Fundamentals of Python Programming,” which is the accompanying text (optional and free) for this course.

The course is well-suited for you if you have already taken the "Python Basics" course and want to gain further fundamental knowledge of the Python language. Together, both courses are geared towards newcomers to Python programming, those who need a refresher on Python basics, or those who may have had some exposure to Python programming but want a more in-depth exposition and vocabulary for describing and reasoning about programs.

This is a follow-up to the "Python Basics" course (course 1 of the Python 3 Programming Specialization), and it is the second of five courses in the specialization.

What's inside

Syllabus

Files and CSV Output

In week one the video lectures and the Runestone textbook will introduce you to the idea of incorporating files into your programs as an additional source of data. You will learn how to read from a file, write to a file, and how to work with the .csv data format.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops foundational knowledge of Python, beneficial for those starting their journey in Python programming

Covers core concepts such as variables, data types, and functions in Python, suitable for learning the language's basics

Progresses from beginner-level topics to advanced concepts, catering to a diverse audience of Python learners

Instructed by experienced professionals in the field, known for their expertise in Python programming

Provides various assessment opportunities, including interactive exercises and a final project, to reinforce learning

Covers the fundamentals of working with files and CSV data in Python

Reviews summary

Builds python functions and files skills

According to learners, this course is a solid and useful next step after Python Basics, effectively introducing key concepts like dictionaries, functions, and file handling. Students highlight the clear explanations and hands-on assignments as particularly helpful for understanding the material. The course is often described as having a good pace for beginners, providing a strong foundation. While the majority sentiment is positive, some students note that certain assignments or quizzes can be challenging and occasionally feel disconnected from the lectures, requiring some independent problem-solving or reliance on the provided textbook or external resources.

Textbook or outside help may be necessary.

"Some parts of the textbook were more helpful than the videos."

"Relying solely on [videos] might not be enough for some. The textbook is a necessary supplement."

"Needed external resources to complete the tasks."

Appropriate speed for novice programmers.

"The course moves at a good pace..."

"Perfect pace for a beginner."

"The progression felt logical and the concepts were explained clearly."

Builds well on the first course.

"Excellent course! Builds perfectly on the basics."

"Fantastic follow-up to course 1."

"Solid introduction to the topics [after basics]."

Content is well-explained for beginners.

"The course material is clear and well-explained..."

"Concepts were explained clearly and logically."

"Instructor explains complicated concepts clearly."

"The explanations were clear and easy to follow."

"Everything was explained simply yet thoroughly."

Hands-on exercises help solidify learning.

"...and the assignments help reinforce the concepts well."

"The programming assignments solidify the learning."

"The hands-on coding and projects are the strongest part of the course for me."

"The labs reinforced the concepts effectively."

"Good practical exercises."

Some exercises are difficult or unclear.

"...some quizzes and programming assignments felt a bit disconnected from the lectures."

"Content is okay, but the assignments could be clearer."

"Struggled with the assignments. The jump from the basic concepts to the project felt too big."

"Assignments are sometimes frustratingly vague."

"Needed external resources to complete the tasks."

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 Functions, Files, and Dictionaries with these activities:

Solve Python coding challenges on LeetCode

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Practice solving Python coding problems to improve your problem-solving and coding skills.

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Create a LeetCode account and select the Python language
Start solving easy-level problems and gradually move on to more difficult ones

Contribute to a Python open-source project on GitHub

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the Python community by working on open-source projects.

Browse courses on GitHub

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Find a Python open-source project on GitHub that aligns with your interests
Identify a bug or feature you can contribute to
Fork the project, make your changes, and submit a pull request

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Career center

Learners who complete Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use their knowledge of statistics, programming, and machine learning to build models that can predict outcomes and make recommendations. This course would be helpful for Data Scientists because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers build and maintain machine learning models that can learn from data and make predictions. This course would be helpful for Machine Learning Engineers because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. This course would be helpful for Web Developers because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases. This course would be helpful for Database Administrators because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Business Analyst

Business Analysts use data to help businesses understand their operations and make better decisions. This course would be helpful for Business Analysts because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Market Researcher

Market Researchers collect and analyze data to understand consumer behavior and market trends. This course would be helpful for Market Researchers because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use data to evaluate the financial performance of companies and make investment recommendations. This course would be helpful for Financial Analysts because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

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Actuary

Actuaries use data to assess risk and uncertainty. This course would be helpful for Actuaries because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Statistician

Statisticians use data to design experiments, analyze results, and draw conclusions. This course would be helpful for Statisticians because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use data to solve complex problems in business and industry. This course would be helpful for Operations Research Analysts because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

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Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use data to develop and implement financial models. This course would be helpful for Quantitative Analysts because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course would be helpful for Data Analysts because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course would be helpful for Software Engineers because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

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Data Engineer

Data Engineers design and build systems for storing and processing data. This course may be useful for Data Engineers because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect computer systems and networks from attack. This course may be useful for Information Security Analysts because it teaches how to read and write data from files, use dictionaries to store and organize data, define and use functions to perform complex operations, and sort data to identify patterns and trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst