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Introduction to Python Programming

Take Udacity's free Intro to Python course, designed for beginners, and get an introduction to programming and the Python language. Learn online with Udacity.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Introduction to Python! Here's an overview of the course.

Familiarize yourself with the building blocks of Python! Learn about data types and operators, built-in functions, type conversion, whitespace, and style guidelines.

Use data structures to order and group different data types together! Learn about the types of data structures in Python, along with more useful built-in functions and operators.

Build logic into your code with control flow tools! Learn about conditional statements, repeating code with loops and useful built-in functions, and list comprehensions.

Learn how to use functions to improve and reuse your code! Learn about functions, variable scope, documentation, lambda expressions, iterators, and generators.

Setup your own programming environment to write and run Python scripts locally! Learn good scripting practices, interact with different inputs, and discover awesome tools.

In this lesson we cover some advanced topics of iterators and generators. You are not required to complete this but we have provided these to give you a taste of these.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces Python programming, a foundational skill for data analysis and machine learning

Suitable for absolute beginners with no prior programming experience

Provides a comprehensive overview of Python fundamentals, including data types, operators, and control flow

Features hands-on exercises and interactive elements to reinforce learning

Taught by Udacity, a reputable provider of online education

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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 Introduction to Python Programming with these activities:

Practice Writing Python

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Warming up by practicing Python coding will help you hit the ground running when you start this course on Python.

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Install the Python programming environment.
Write a simple Python script to output 'hello world'
Use variables to store and print values
Use operators to perform basic arithmetic operations
Use conditional statements to control the flow of your program

Review Programming Concepts

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Reviewing core programming concepts will aid you in understanding the Python specific concepts covered in this course.

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Read articles on basic programming concepts
Watch videos or tutorials that explain these concepts
Take practice quizzes to test your understanding
Discuss these concepts with peers or a mentor
Complete coding exercises to reinforce your knowledge

Review 'Python Crash Course'

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Reading and working through Python Crash Course will provide you with a foundation in Python programming, which will supplement the topics taught in this course.

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Read each chapter carefully
Take notes and highlight important concepts
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter
Build the projects described in the book
Join online forums or discussion groups to engage with other readers

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Explore Python Function and Control Flow

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Following Python tutorials will enable you to solidify function and control flow concepts, and connect them to topics taught in this course.

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Find high rated tutorials on Python functions and control flow
Follow along with the tutorials and take notes
Implement concepts in your own code
Debug any errors
Apply these concepts to your Python projects

Attend Python Study Sessions

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Study sessions with peers will give you opportunities to discuss concepts, ask questions, and work through Python problems together.

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Find study groups or organize your own
Meet regularly and discuss topics from the course
Work on coding exercises together
Provide feedback and support to each other
Hold mock interviews to practice your Python skills

Solve Python Coding Problems

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Engaging in coding practice problems will challenge you to apply the Python skills you learned in this course to solve real-world problems.

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Find a curated list of Python coding problems
Choose a problem that interests you and matches your skill level
Break down the problem into smaller subproblems
Design an algorithm to solve the problem
Implement your solution in Python
Test your solution and debug any errors
Analyze the efficiency of your solution

Create a Python Project

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Building a Python project will allow you to synthesize what you've learned and create something tangible that demonstrates your skills in this course.

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Deploy your project and share it
Brainstorm a project idea that interests you
Research the topic and identify the tools and technologies you need
Design and plan your project
Develop the project and write clean, efficient code
Test and debug your project

Attend a Python Workshop

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Attending a Python workshop can significantly deepen your understanding of Python programming.

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Research and find a reputable Python workshop
Register for the workshop and make payment
Attend the workshop sessions and actively participate
Take notes and ask questions during the workshop
Practice the concepts learned in the workshop

Career center

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

Software Developer

Software developers design, implement, and test software systems. Python is one of the fastest growing programming languages, so mastering Python will be helpful for a career as a software developer. This course can provide you with a strong foundation in Python, and give you valuable hands-on experience with the language.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Data Engineer

Data engineers design, build, and maintain the infrastructure that is used to store and process data. Python is widely used for data engineering tasks such as data cleaning, transformation, and analysis. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in Python, and help you gain valuable hands-on experience with the language.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Data Analyst

Data analysts will be responsible for extracting, cleaning, maintaining, and interpreting data, so that it can be used for decision-making. This course can help equip you for a role as a data analyst because it will help you master necessary tools such as Python. This is particularly significant as the demand for data analysts who are proficient in Python is high.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine learning engineers design, develop, and deploy machine learning models. Python is the leading language for machine learning, so this course can certainly be helpful for a career as a machine learning engineer. It will help you gain a solid understanding of Python, and cover fundamental topics such as data structures, control flow, and functions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Architect

Data architects design and build data systems. Python is increasingly used for data architecture tasks, such as data modeling, data integration, and data governance. This course will provide you with a foundation in Python, and enhance your ability to use data and technology to design and build scalable, reliable, and secure data systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. Python is a popular language for statistical computing, and it is used for a wide range of statistical tasks, such as data analysis, modeling, and visualization. This course will provide you with a foundation in Python, and enhance your ability to use data and technology to solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative analysts use mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze financial data. Python is increasingly used for quantitative analysis tasks, such as data analysis, modeling, and trading. This course will provide you with a foundation in Python, and enhance your ability to use data and technology to analyze financial data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Business Analyst

Business analysts identify business needs and develop solutions using data and technology. Python can be used for a variety of business analysis tasks, such as data analysis, modeling, and visualization. This course will provide you with a foundation in Python, and enhance your ability to use data and technology to solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve complex business problems. Python is increasingly used for operations research tasks, such as data analysis, modeling, and optimization. This course will provide you with a foundation in Python, and enhance your ability to use data and technology to solve business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Web Developer

Web developers design, develop, and implement websites. Understanding Python is necessary for this career, especially for working with popular frameworks such as Django. This course will help you gain a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Python that are required for web development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess risk and uncertainty. Python is increasingly used for actuarial tasks, such as data analysis, modeling, and simulation. This course will provide you with a foundation in Python, and enhance your ability to use data and technology to assess risk and uncertainty.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use data and technology to make investment decisions. Python is increasingly used for financial analysis tasks, such as data analysis, modeling, and visualization. This course will provide you with a foundation in Python, and enhance your ability to use data and technology to make informed financial decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Analyst

Investment analysts use data and technology to make investment decisions. Python is increasingly used for investment analysis tasks, such as data analysis, modeling, and visualization. This course will provide you with a foundation in Python, and enhance your ability to use data and technology to make informed investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Analyst

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality assurance analysts test software to ensure that it meets quality standards. Python is increasingly used for automated testing, so this course may be helpful for a career as a quality assurance analyst. It will provide you with a foundation in Python, and introduce you to concepts such as unit testing and debugging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Data Scientist

Data scientists combine programming skills with knowledge of mathematics and statistics to extract meaningful insights from data. This course may be useful for data science because it provides you with a foundation in Python for data manipulation and analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

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 Introduction to Python Programming.

Head First Java

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Approachable and easy reading, “Head First Python” uses visuals and puzzles to teach the basics of Python. Recommended for those with no prior experience in programming.

Introduction to Python Programming

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Activities

Career center

Reading list

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