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Python Basics

Automation and Bots

Seth Frey

Understanding the flow of running code is a major part of learning to think in code and of coding itself. In this course we will study the flow of code through several demonstrations and walkthroughs. We'll experience turning logic into useful work by running Python that automatically reads all of Shakespeare, and by setting Python up to give you a call on the phone. In technical terms, this course will demonstrate Python loops, list comprehensions, and conditional statements, while at a higher level we'll discuss code style and good practices for code.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Reading all of Shakespeare in an Instant

To demonstrate the power of Python, you'll download and automatically read the complete works of William Shakespeare, toward finding his longest and strangest words. In this module, you'll also learn how to play faster and looser and more casual with code, skimming and copying code from the Internet. Let's get started!

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Suitable for beginners who want to learn Python basics

Covers essential Python concepts like loops, list comprehensions, and conditional statements

Provides practical examples and walkthroughs to enhance understanding

Demonstrates the flow of code and how it translates into useful applications

Interactive module allows learners to make phone calls using Twilio API

Taught by experienced instructors, Seth Frey

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Reviews summary

Python basics: practical automation

According to students, this course is a highly accessible introduction to Python, especially for those with little to no prior programming experience. Learners frequently praise the hands-on projects and real-world examples, particularly the engaging Twilio API integration for automating calls and texts, which many find incredibly practical. The instructor's clear explanations of fundamental concepts like loops and conditional statements are highlighted as strong points, providing a solid foundation for applying Python to automation. However, some experienced learners suggest parts of the content may feel too shallow or could benefit from more advanced topics.

Generally well-paced, though some new learners found it fast.

"Solid introduction... Some parts felt a little fast-paced if you're completely new."

"The course is well-structured for beginners, particularly the focus on automation with Python."

"I appreciated how it broke down complex ideas into manageable pieces, making the learning flow well."

Advice on 'skimming and copying code' sparks mixed reactions.

"The 'copying code from internet' advice felt unprofessional and a bit strange."

"I felt some parts, like the 'skimming code' advice, could be clarified or framed differently."

"I found the pragmatic approach of just 'getting it done' with Python refreshing and realistic for quick tasks."

Instructor effectively clarifies core Python concepts.

"The instructor explains concepts clearly, and the way the instructor explained code flow clicked for me."

"The instructor's style is engaging, and the course structure builds up well."

"Complex ideas are broken down into manageable pieces, which made learning much easier."

Excellent starting point for those new to Python.

"I came in with zero Python experience, and this course made it accessible."

"Excellent course for true beginners! The instructor explains concepts clearly..."

"As a complete novice, this course was a godsend; it broke down complex ideas into manageable pieces."

Hands-on applications are engaging and highly practical.

"...the hands-on projects, especially the Twilio part, were incredibly engaging and practical."

"The 'robocall' module was super fun and really showed the power of Python."

"I loved learning how to automate simple tasks; the projects are immediately applicable."

May feel too basic for those with prior programming experience.

"Decent course, but felt a bit too shallow for me as someone with a little prior programming knowledge."

"I was disappointed because it didn't really teach me how to build advanced bots."

"The course content seemed a little simplistic for 'automation and bots'; I hoped for more complex examples."

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 Basics: Automation and Bots with these activities:

Python Refresher Course

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Helps you refresh your Python skills by consolidating the foundational principles and concepts introduced in this online course.

Browse courses on Python Programming Language

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Review your notes and materials from this online course.
Take a Python refresher course or tutorial to reinforce your understanding.
Work through some Python coding challenges to practice your skills.

Python Tutorial for Beginners

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Introduces you to the basics of Python programming, including data types, variables, control flow, and functions.

Browse courses on Python Programming Language

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Find a reputable Python tutorial for beginners online or in a book.
Follow the tutorial step-by-step.
Complete the exercises and quizzes in the tutorial.

Python Coding Challenges

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Reinforce your understanding of the Python language and develop your problem-solving skills by solving coding challenges.

Browse courses on Python Programming Language

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Find a set of Python coding challenges online or in a book.
Solve the challenges using your Python skills.
Check your solutions against the provided answers or discuss them with other learners.

Five other activities

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Read Practical Programming, 4th ed.

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Helps you develop a deeper understanding of the programming fundamentals and principles of software engineering to make you a more effective programmer and developer.

View FileMaker 12 Developers Reference: Functions,... on Amazon

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Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes of important concepts and ideas.
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises to test your understanding and practice your programming skills.
Apply the concepts and principles you learn in the book to your own projects.

Python Study Group

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Provides you with an opportunity to learn from and collaborate with other Python learners.

Browse courses on Python Programming Language

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Find or start a Python study group online or in your local area.
Meet with the group regularly to discuss Python topics, work on projects, and help each other learn.

Python Code Snippets

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Helps you retain information and improve your understanding of Python by creating your own code snippets.

Browse courses on Python Programming Language

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Choose a Python concept or technique that you want to learn more about.
Write a short code snippet that demonstrates the concept or technique.
Include comments in your code snippet to explain what it does.

Python Workshop

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Provides you with an immersive learning experience where you can develop your Python skills under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Browse courses on Python Programming Language

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Find a Python workshop that aligns with your interests and skill level.
Register for the workshop and attend all sessions.
Participate actively in the workshop, ask questions, and complete the exercises.
Follow up on what you learned in the workshop by practicing and building projects.

Python Portfolio Project

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Provides you with an opportunity to apply your Python skills to a real-world problem and build a portfolio of your work.

Browse courses on Python Programming Language

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Identify a problem or challenge that you can solve using Python.
Design and develop a Python solution to the problem.
Document your code and create a user guide.
Deploy your project and make it available to others.

Career center

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

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining software applications. This role encompasses a wide range of technical skills, including programming, data structures, and algorithms. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course from the University of California, Davis provides a strong foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Software Engineer. The course's focus on automation and bots is particularly relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline software development and testing processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist gathers, analyzes, and interprets data to extract meaningful insights. This role requires a strong foundation in statistics, machine learning, and programming. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a solid introduction to these topics, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Data Scientist. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline data analysis and modeling processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst works with stakeholders to gather and analyze business requirements, and then develop and implement solutions to meet those requirements. This role requires a strong understanding of business processes, as well as analytical and problem-solving skills. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Business Analyst. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline business processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Quality Assurance Analyst

A Quality Assurance Analyst tests software applications to ensure that they meet the required standards. This role requires a strong understanding of software testing principles and techniques, as well as programming skills. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Quality Assurance Analyst. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline software testing processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. This role requires a strong understanding of both software development and IT operations, as well as automation and scripting skills. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a DevOps Engineer. The course's focus on automation and bots is also particularly relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline software development and deployment processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Web Developer

A Web Developer designs, develops, and maintains websites. This role requires a strong understanding of web development technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Web Developer. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline website development and deployment processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Mobile App Developer

A Mobile App Developer designs, develops, and maintains mobile applications. This role requires a strong understanding of mobile development technologies, including Java, Swift, and Python. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Mobile App Developer. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline mobile app development and deployment processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile App Developer

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst gathers, analyzes, and interprets data to extract meaningful insights. This role requires a strong foundation in statistics, machine learning, and programming. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a solid introduction to these topics, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Data Analyst. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline data analysis and modeling processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Tester

A Software Tester tests software applications to ensure that they meet the required standards. This role requires a strong understanding of software testing principles and techniques, as well as programming skills. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Software Tester. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline software testing processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Tester

IT Support Specialist

An IT Support Specialist provides technical support to users of computer systems and software. This role requires a strong understanding of computer hardware and software, as well as problem-solving skills. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as an IT Support Specialist. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline IT support processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Support Specialist

Network Administrator

A Network Administrator is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of computer networks. This role requires a strong understanding of networking technologies, as well as programming skills. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Network Administrator. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline network management processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of databases. This role requires a strong understanding of database technologies, as well as programming skills. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Database Administrator. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline database management processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst designs, develops, and implements computer systems. This role requires a strong understanding of systems analysis and design principles, as well as programming skills. The Python Basics: Automation and Bots course provides a foundation in these core concepts, helping you to build the skills necessary for a successful career as a Systems Analyst. The course's focus on automation and bots is also relevant to this field, as automation is increasingly used to streamline systems analysis and design processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Python Basics: Automation and Bots.

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 2nd Edition

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Provides a comprehensive overview of Python automation and valuable reference for anyone interested in learning more about this topic. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic programming concepts to advanced techniques, and includes numerous examples and exercises.

Python Basics

Automation and Bots

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Python basics: practical automation

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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