TTPS4800: Introduction to Python Programming Programming Basics

About this Course

Python is one of the most versatile, popular programming languages in use today. You can leverage Python in almost every industry, in a wide array of applications from system administration to machine learning, from automation to web services, from data analysis to visual effects. Compared to other programming languages, Python is relatively easier to learn and use, providing a wide variety of opportunities for students of all skill levels and roles.

A core component of our Python SkillJourney skills-immersion series, Introduction to Python Programming Basics is a highly-rated, hands-on training course that has provided thousands of students with the skills required to quickly and easily put Python to work in their job, task or project. This three-day, jumpstart-style course provides an excellent start for users new to Python, enabling them to use their new skills immediately and providing the broad foundation for continued Python learning in their particular industry.

NOTE: If you are coming from a non-technical background, you might consider the TTPS4803: Python for Everyone: Getting Started with Python Basics for Non-Developers (4 days) as an alternative to this course. If you want additional topics beyond the basics, you might consider the TTPS4820 Mastering Python Programming Boot Camp five day superset of this course.

Audience Profile

This course is geared for technical users who are new to Python. Roles might include developers, software engineers, data analysts who want to enhance data processing, system administrators and web site administrators who want to use Python to support their server installations, developers who want more efficient web solutions, as well as anyone else who wants to automate or simplify common tasks with the use of Python scripts.

If you are coming from a non-technical background, you might consider the TTPS4803: Python for Everyone: Getting Started with Python Basics for Non-Developers (4 days) as an alternative to this course. If you want additional topics beyond the basics, you might consider the TTPS4820 Mastering Python Programming Boot Camp five day superset of this course.

At Course Completion

Working in a hands-on learning environment led by our engaging expert instructor you'll learn how to:

Create working Python scripts following best practices
Use python data types appropriately
Read and write files with both text and binary data
Search and replace text with regular expressions
Get familiar with the standard library and its work-saving modules
Use lesser known but powerful Python data types
Work with dates, times, and calendars
Know when to use collections such as lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets
Understand Pythonic features such as list comprehensions and generators
Write robust code using exception handling
Work with basics for network programming
Create and use virtual environments

This course is rich with hands-on activities, challenge labs, knowledge checks, valuable discussions and focused projects that can be done individually or in groups. Guided by our engaging, highly-experienced instructor, you'll work within our user-friendly Learning Experience Platform (LXP) that combines the best aspects of in-person live training with our robust hands-on online environment. You'll have extensive opportunities for live engagement, practice and review. You'll exit this program equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to put your new Python skills right to work.

Outline

Please note that topics, agenda and labs are subject to change, and may adjust during live delivery based on audience skill level, interests and participation.

The Python Environment

Starting Python
Using the interpreter
Running a Python script
Editors and IDEs

Variables and Values

Using variables
Builtin functions
String data
Numeric data
Converting types

Basic input and output

Writing to the screen
String formatting
Command line arguments
Reading the keyboard

Flow Control

About flow control
The if statement
Relational and Boolean values
while loops
Exiting from loops

Array types

Sequence types in general
Lists and list methods
Tuples
Indexing and slicing
Iterating through a sequence
Sequence functions, keywords, and operators
List comprehensions and generators

Working with files

File I/O overview
Opening a text file
Reading a text file
Writing to a text file

Dictionaries and Sets

About dictionaries
Creating dictionaries
Getting values
Iterating through a dictionary
About sets
Creating sets
Working with sets

Functions

Defining functions
Returning values
Parameters and arguments
Variable scope

Sorting

The sorted() function
Custom sort keys
Lambda functions
Sorting in reverse
Using min() and max()

Exception handling and logging

Exceptions
Using try/catch/else/finally
Handling multiple exceptions
Logging setup
Basic logging

Modules and Packages

Creating Modules
The import statement
Module search path
Using packages
Function and Module aliases

Introduction to Classes

About object-oriented programming
Defining classes
Constructors
Understanding self
Properties
Instance Methods and data
Class methods and data
Inheritance

Alternative Five Day Course Note:

If you want additional topics beyond the three day basics, you might consider the TTPS4820 Mastering Python Programming Boot Camp five day superset of this course, that includes the topics below in the additional two days of coverage:

Regular Expressions
Dates and times
Working with the file system
Advanced data handling
Network programming
Effective Scripts
Virtual Environments

Prerequisites

To ensure a smooth learning experience and maximize the benefits of attending this course, you should have the following prerequisite skills:

At least some prior hands-on experience with scripting or programming. You don't need to be an expert in either, but you should have had some exposure and should be coming from a technical background.
Working with Unix or Linux, and familiarity with using the command line interface for simple tasks, such as file navigation and executing commands.
Basic familiarity working with text editors like Notepad, or IDEs, would be helpful as the course includes hands-on lab sessions requiring code editing.