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Using Python to Access Web Data

Charles Russell Severance

This course will show how one can treat the Internet as a source of data. We will scrape, parse, and read web data as well as access data using web APIs. We will work with HTML, XML, and JSON data formats in Python. This course will cover Chapters 11-13 of the textbook “Python for Everybody”. To succeed in this course, you should be familiar with the material covered in Chapters 1-10 of the textbook and the first two courses in this specialization. These topics include variables and expressions, conditional execution (loops, branching, and try/except), functions, Python data structures (strings, lists, dictionaries, and tuples), and manipulating files. This course covers Python 3.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Getting Started

In this section you will install Python and a text editor. In previous classes in the specialization this was an optional assignment, but in this class it is the first requirement to get started. From this point forward we will stop using the browser-based Python grading environment because the browser-based Python environment (Skulpt) is not capable of running the more complex programs we will be developing in this class.

Regular Expressions (Chapter 11)

Regular expressions are a very specialized language that allow us to succinctly search strings and extract data from strings. Regular expressions are a language unto themselves. It is not essential to know how to use regular expressions, but they can be quite useful and powerful.

Networks and Sockets (Chapter 12)

In this section we learn about the protocols that web browsers use to retrieve documents and web applications use to interact with Application Program Interfaces (APIs).

Programs that Surf the Web (Chapter 12)

In this section we learn to use Python to retrieve data from web sites and APIs over the Internet.

Web Services and XML (Chapter 13)

In this section, we learn how to retrieve and parse XML (eXtensible Markup Language) data.

JSON and the REST Architecture (Chapter 13)

In this module, we work with Application Program Interfaces / Web Services using the JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) data format.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops parsing and scraping techniques for data extraction

Teaches learners about networks, sockets, and web data access

Examines and incorporates HTML, XML, and JSON data formats in Python

Assumes learners have experience with Python and familiarity with earlier course material

Embraces hands-on approach to data manipulation and analysis

Emphasizes practical applications of web data extraction

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Career center

Learners who complete Using Python to Access Web Data will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use Python to extract, clean, and analyze data from various sources, including the web. This course provides a strong foundation in Python for data analysis, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Data Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use Python to develop machine learning models and analyze data to solve complex business problems. This course provides a solid foundation in Python for data analysis, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Data Scientists.

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Web Developer

Web Developers use Python to build and maintain websites and web applications. This course provides a comprehensive overview of web development using Python, including web scraping, data parsing, and web APIs. It also covers topics such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are essential for Web Developers.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers use Python to develop and maintain software applications. This course provides a solid foundation in Python for software development, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are useful skills for Software Engineers.

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Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use Python to analyze financial data and develop trading strategies. This course provides a strong foundation in Python for financial data analysis, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Quantitative Analysts.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts use Python to analyze business data and make recommendations for improvement. This course provides a strong foundation in Python for business data analysis, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Business Analysts.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers use Python to collect and analyze data about consumer behavior. This course provides a strong foundation in Python for market research, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Market Researchers.

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Data Journalist

Data Journalists use Python to analyze data and create data-driven stories. This course provides a solid foundation in Python for data journalism, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Data Journalists.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts use Python to analyze security data and identify threats. This course provides a strong foundation in Python for information security, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Information Security Analysts.

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UX Researcher

UX Researchers use Python to collect and analyze data about user experience. This course provides a strong foundation in Python for UX research, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for UX Researchers.

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Product Manager

Product Managers use Python to analyze data and make decisions about product development. This course provides a solid foundation in Python for product management, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Product Managers.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers use Python to create documentation for software and other technical products. This course provides a strong foundation in Python for technical writing, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Technical Writers.

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Librarian

Librarians use Python to manage and organize information. This course provides a solid foundation in Python for library science, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Librarians.

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Archivist

Archivists use Python to manage and preserve historical records. This course provides a solid foundation in Python for archival science, including web scraping and data parsing techniques. It also covers web APIs and data visualization techniques, which are essential skills for Archivists.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 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 Using Python to Access Web Data.

Python for Everybody