Python for Beginners: Introduction to Programming

What you will learn in 10 lessons

1. 1

   Python Variables

   Start here

   Write and run short Python programs that store values in variables, combine them with operators and read input from the user.

   5 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Run Python programs and read what they tell you
   2. 2.Work with values and their types
   3. 3.Store and update values in variables
   4. 4.Calculate with operators and expressions
   5. 5.Get input, convert types and show results
2. 2

   Python If Statements

   Make programs choose between actions with if, elif and else, combining comparisons with Boolean operators.

   5 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Compare values to get True or False
   2. 2.Make programs choose with if, elif and else
   3. 3.Combine conditions with Boolean logic
   4. 4.Structure and test more complex decisions
   5. 5.Choose among cases with match statements
3. 3

   Python Loops

   Repeat work with while and for loops, and apply common loop patterns such as counting, accumulating and searching.

   6 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Repeat actions with while loops
   2. 2.Step through sequences with for loops and range
   3. 3.Control a loop with break, continue and else
   4. 4.Use standard loop patterns
   5. 5.Write nested loops
   6. 6.Trace and debug loops
4. 4

   Python Functions

   Define functions with parameters and return values, and break a program into small, reusable, well-named pieces.

   5 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Define and call your own functions
   2. 2.Pass information into functions
   3. 3.Send results back with return values
   4. 4.Know where variables live: local and global scope
   5. 5.Document and design programs with functions
5. 5

   Python Strings

   Manipulate text with indexing, slicing, string methods and f-strings, and format output for users.

   5 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Create strings and pick out their parts
   2. 2.Process strings character by character
   3. 3.Transform, search and test text with string methods
   4. 4.Split text into parts and join parts into text
   5. 5.Format output with f-strings
6. 6

   Python Lists and Tuples

   Store and process sequences of values with lists and tuples, and explain how mutability and aliasing affect a program.

   6 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Store values in lists and reach them by position
   2. 2.Change lists with methods and assignment
   3. 3.Process lists with loops
   4. 4.Use tuples and unpacking
   5. 5.Explain mutability, aliasing and copying
   6. 6.Sort lists and other sequences
7. 7

   Python Dictionaries

   Use dictionaries to look up, count and group data by key, and use sets to remove duplicates and compare collections.

   5 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Store and look up data with dictionaries
   2. 2.Loop through dictionaries and build new ones
   3. 3.Count and group data with dictionaries
   4. 4.Model structured data with nested dictionaries
   5. 5.Use sets to remove duplicates and compare collections
8. 8

   Python Exceptions and Files

   Read and write text and CSV files, and handle errors with try and except so programs fail gracefully.

   5 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Read and write text files
   2. 2.Find files with paths
   3. 3.Read and write CSV files
   4. 4.Handle errors with try and except
   5. 5.Raise your own exceptions
9. 9

   Python Modules and Debugging

   Import standard-library and installed modules, find bugs with a systematic debugging process and check functions with simple tests.

   4 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Use modules from the standard library, your own files and PyPI
   2. 2.Read tracebacks and error messages
   3. 3.Find and fix bugs systematically
   4. 4.Check functions with assertions and unit tests
10. 10

    Python Classes and OOP

    Define classes with attributes and methods, create objects from them and explain when bundling data and behavior makes a program clearer.

    5 learning goals

    What you will learn

    1. 1.Understand objects and define your first class
    2. 2.Set up objects with constructors and attributes
    3. 3.Give objects behavior with instance methods
    4. 4.Use special methods so objects print and compare well
    5. 5.Build programs from objects that work together