We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

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.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

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!

The Flow of Your Python Code

Code flow is the order that your computer reads the code you write. It's usually straightforward, from left to right, top to bottom, but the more we play with logic, the funnier the flow of code through the page. This introduces us to a whole other level of thinking in code.

Code Flow and Logic

It can be hard to imagine at first how logic can be harnessed to do useful stuff. In this module we make it concrete by performing wordy little tasks like building an anagram finder.

Course Summary & Honors: Interactive Demo

In the honor's section of this module, you will robocall and spam text yourself through the Twilio API in Python. Twilio is what companies use to automate phone calls and texting.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

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

Save this course

Save Python Basics: Automation and Bots to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Python Basics: Automation and Bots. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

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