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Python Object Basics

Functions, Recursion, and Objects

Code and run your first python program in minutes without installing anything!

This course is designed for learners with limited coding experience, providing a solid foundation of not just python, but core Computer Science topics that can be transferred to other languages. The modules in this course cover functions, recursion, objects, and mutability. Completion of the prior 2 courses in this specialization are recommended.

To allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience, this course is video-free. Assignments contain short explanations with images and runnable code examples with suggested edits to explore code examples further, building a deeper understanding by doing. You'll benefit from instant feedback from a variety of assessment items along the way, gently progressing from quick understanding checks (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and un-scrambling code blocks) to small, approachable coding exercises that take minutes instead of hours.

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What's inside

Syllabus

User-Defined Functions

Welcome to Week 1 of the Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects course. These assignments cover re-using pieces of code by wrapping them in functions. You can create functions that take in and/or return data. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Recursion

Welcome to Week 2 of the Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects course. These assignments cover creating recursive functions and identifying when recursion can be used instead of traditional iteration. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Introduction to Objects

Welcome to Week 3 of the Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects course. These assignments cover creating user-defined classes and how to instantiate an object based on these classes. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Mutability

Welcome to Week 4 of the Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects course. These assignments cover changing attributes associated with an object through methods. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for learners who want to expand their understanding of functions and recursion in Python after completing the first 2 courses in this specialization

Useful for people who want to develop their Python coding skills and explore the topics of functions, recursion, objects, and mutability

Ideal for learners with limited coding experience by providing a solid foundation of computer science topics transferable to other languages

Provides a hands-on, self-paced learning experience through assignments with explanations and runnable code examples

Helpful for learners seeking quick understanding checks through multiple choice, fill in the blank, and un-scrambling code blocks

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Reviews summary

Highly rated python course

According to students, this well received Python course includes engaging assignments and helpful instructors. Learners say the material is easy to understand for non-native speakers.

The course material was clear and easy to understand, even for non-native speakers.

"I have taken many python courses but Honestly this one is so funny and interesting the material is simple for non native speaker to understand well"

Learners say the instructors are helpful and responsive.

"the support team or the instructor herself/himself reply to you on the same day."

Students found the assignments to be engaging and easy to understand.

"Excellent"

"Great hand on course"

"Really enjoyed the course! Nice way of teaching."

Some learners expressed a desire for improvements to the lab component of the course.

"some lecture and exercises are wrong; they are greatly misleading"

"I wish they'd make it easier to re-take the exercises: first of all, the direction on how to re-take is kind of obscure; secondly, even if the mistakes are trivial or immaterial on one exercise, one has to complete all the excercises before it's possible to "reset" and "retake"."

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 Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects with these activities:

Review Head First Python

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This book provides a clear and concise introduction to Python, and it can help you to reinforce the concepts that you learn in the course.

View Head First Python: A Learner's Guide to the... on Amazon

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Read the book's introduction and first chapter.
Review the book's appendix on Python syntax.

Explore additional resources online

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There are many great resources available online that can help you learn more about Python and the concepts covered in this course.

Browse courses on Python

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Watch video tutorials on YouTube.
Read blog posts and articles about Python.
Find online courses and workshops that can help you learn more about Python.

Join a study group

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Working with other students can help you learn more effectively and stay motivated.

Browse courses on Python

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Find a study group or create your own.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material and work on problems together.

Nine other activities

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Watch tutorials on Python object basics

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Watching tutorials can help you to learn about the different concepts of Python object basics in a more interactive way.

Browse courses on Functions

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Find a tutorial on a specific topic, such as functions or recursion.
Watch the tutorial and take notes.
Try out the code examples provided in the tutorial.

Participate in a study group on Python object basics

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Participating in a study group can help you to learn about Python object basics from your peers and to get help with any questions that you have.

Browse courses on Functions

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Find a study group that meets regularly.
Attend the study group meetings and participate in the discussions.
Ask questions and share your knowledge with other members of the group.

Practice up on your code!

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Practice is the best way to reinforce your coding skills and improve your understanding of the concepts in this course.

Browse courses on Python

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Try to solve the coding challenges at the end of each lesson.
Work through the practice problems in the textbook.
Find online coding challenges and practice solving them.

Create a diagram of the Python object model

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Creating a diagram of the Python object model will help you visualize and understand how objects interact with each other.

Browse courses on Objects

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Identify the different types of objects in Python.
Describe the relationships between objects.
Draw a diagram that represents the Python object model.

Create a collection of resources on Python object basics

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Creating a collection of resources can help you to organize your learning and to find the information that you need quickly and easily.

Browse courses on Functions

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Find resources on a specific topic, such as functions or recursion.
Organize the resources into a collection.
Share the collection with other learners.

Practice writing functions and recursion

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Writing your own functions and using recursion will solidify your understanding and improve your programming skills.

Browse courses on Functions

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Create a simple function that takes in two numbers and returns their sum.
Write a recursive function that calculates the factorial of a number.

Write a blog post or article about Python

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Writing about what you've learned can help you solidify your understanding of the material and identify areas where you need more practice.

Browse courses on Python

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Choose a topic that you're interested in.
Research the topic and write a blog post or article.
Share your blog post or article with others.

Attend a workshop on Python object basics

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Attending a workshop can provide you with an opportunity to learn about Python object basics from an expert and to ask questions.

Browse courses on Functions

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Find a workshop on a specific topic, such as functions or recursion.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.

Practice working with mutability

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Working with mutability is an important concept in Python, and it can help you to write more efficient and maintainable code.

Browse courses on Mutability

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Create a list of items.
Modify one of the items in the list.
Print the list to see how the change has affected it.

Career center

Learners who complete Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

A Software Developer creates and maintains computer programs and applications. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects can allow you to create user-defined classes and learn how to instantiate an object based on these classes, useful skills for this career role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Computer Programmer

A Computer Programmer analyzes problems and develops, tests, and maintains software programs and applications. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects will allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience with short explanations with images and runnable code examples.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist gathers and analyzes data using machine learning and advanced statistical modeling. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects can be useful for a Data Scientist who should understand how to identify when recursion can be used instead of traditional iteration.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Network Administrator

A Network Administrator manages and maintains computer networks. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a Network Administrator, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in network administration.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst protects computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for an Information Security Analyst, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in information security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Computer Scientist

A Computer Scientist researches and develops new computer technologies and applications. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a Computer Scientist, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in computer science research and development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

IT Manager

An IT Manager plans, coordinates, and directs activities related to the implementation, maintenance, and support of information technology systems. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for an IT Manager, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in IT management.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Web Developer

A Web Developer designs and develops websites and web applications. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a Web Developer, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in web development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst analyzes and designs computer systems, including hardware, software, and networks. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a Systems Analyst, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in systems analysis and design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Software Architect

A Software Architect designs and builds the overall architecture of software systems. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a Software Architect, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in software architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator creates and maintains databases, which are used to store and organize data. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a Database Administrator, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in database management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Computer Engineer

A Computer Engineer designs and builds computer hardware and software. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a Computer Engineer, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in computer engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Engineer

Computer Systems Analyst

A Computer Systems Analyst analyzes and designs computer systems, including hardware, software, and networks. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a Computer Systems Analyst, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in systems analysis and design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Database Manager

A Database Manager plans, coordinates, and directs activities related to the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of database systems. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a Database Manager, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects, which are all used in database management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Manager

Quality Assurance (QA) Tester

A Quality Assurance (QA) Tester tests computer programs and applications to ensure that they meet quality standards. Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects may be useful for a QA Tester, as it covers topics such as functions, recursion, and objects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance (QA) Tester

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 Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects.

Introduction to Programming in Python

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Comprehensive guide to object-oriented programming in Python. It covers the basics of object-oriented programming, including classes, objects, and inheritance.

Introduction to Programming in Python: An...

Hardcover

$$$

Introduction to Programming in Python: An...

Kindle Edition