Lesson 1: What Programming Is and Why Python
An absolute beginner's guide to understanding programming and why Python is the perfect first language.
56 articles
An absolute beginner's guide to understanding programming and why Python is the perfect first language.
Save time and frustration by learning how to identify and fix the most common Python errors made by beginners.
Apply everything you've learned in Module 1 by building four practical Python projects from scratch.
A step-by-step guide to installing Python and setting up your coding environment correctly.
Learn how to create, save, and execute your first Python script using VS Code.
Understand how Python stores and manages information using variables and different data types.
Make your Python programs interactive by learning how to accept user input and format output.
Master the tools of logic and math in Python, from addition and subtraction to complex comparisons.
Give your programs the power to make decisions using if, elif, and else statements.
Master automation by learning how to repeat code segments using while and for loops.
Learn the art of problem-solving and how to combine variables, logic, and loops into functional Python scripts.
Test your knowledge of Python fundamentals with these practical exercises and a module-wide quiz.
Why data structures matter and how they help us organize information for efficiency and speed.
Learn how to measure the efficiency of your code. Understand Big O notation and why it matters for scaling software.
Master Python's most versatile data structure: the List. Learn indexing, slicing, and manipulation techniques.
Discover the power of immutability. Learn what Tuples are, how to use them, and why they are faster than Lists.
Learn to store data using meaningful labels. Master Python dictionaries, key-value pairs, and nested data structures.
Master unique collections in Python. Learn how Sets work, how they handle duplicates, and how to use Set operations like Union and Intersection.
A practical guide to picking the perfect container for your data. Learn through real-world scenarios and a visual decision matrix.
Demystifying algorithms. Learn what they are, how they work with data structures, and why they are the foundation of smart software.
Learn how computers find data efficiently. Compare Linear Search and Binary Search and see why sorted data is a superpower.
Learn how computers put data in order. Explore Bubble Sort for understanding logic and Python's sorted() for real-world efficiency.
Put your data structure and algorithm skills to work. Build a Contact Book, a Grade Tracker, and an Inventory System.
Stop repeating yourself. Learn how functions make your code modular, readable, and easier to debug.
The art of cleaning up your code. Learn how to identify 'code smells' and rewrite your logic to be more readable without changing how it works.
Master the syntax of functions in Python. Learn how to use the 'def' keyword, the importance of colons, and how to execute your code.
Turn your functions into powerful processing engines. Learn how to pass data into functions and get results back using return.
Make your functions more flexible. Learn how to provide default values and how to pass arguments using their names instead of just their position.
Understand where your variables live and die. Learn the difference between Global and Local scope to avoid accidental bugs.
Going from 'it works' to 'it's good.' Learn the best practices for writing functions that are reusable, testable, and clean.
Don't reinvent the wheel. Learn how to use Python's 'import' system to tap into thousands of pre-written functions and libraries.
Take control of your project structure. Learn how to split your code into multiple files and build your own reusable Python libraries.
Explore the 'Batteries Included' philosophy of Python. Learn about the most useful built-in modules for everything from math to data networking.
Build a professional Utility Library. Apply everything you've learned about functions, modules, and refactoring to create a suite of reusable tools.
Change the way you solve problems. Learn the philosophy of Object-Oriented Programming and why it’s the secret to building massive apps.
Organize your code like a professional. Learn how to split complex classes into different modules and use __init__.py for clean imports.
From theory to code. Learn how to define a Class in Python, create Objects from it, and use dot notation to access data.
Master the constructor. Learn how to use the special __init__ method and the 'self' keyword to initialize objects with data.
Differentiate between an object's state and its behavior. Learn how to define methods, use the self keyword for interaction, and update attributes dynamically.
Protect your data. Learn how to use 'private' attributes to prevent accidental changes and ensure your objects follow their own rules.
Don't repeat yourself in OOP. Learn how to create Parent and Child classes to share attributes and methods across your entire application.
Same action, different behavior. Learn how to override parent methods and use polymorphism to write flexible and powerful code.
Choosing the right way to build complex systems. Learn the 'is-a' vs. 'has-a' rule and why Composition is often better than Inheritance.
Not everything needs an instance. Learn how to use @classmethod and @staticmethod for shared logic and utility functions.
Building an RPG Combat System. Apply inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism to build a modular game engine from scratch.
Give your data a permanent home. Learn how to open, read, and process information from text files using Python's built-in tools.
Keep a paper trail. Learn how to use Python's logging module to record errors and system events into files, making debugging much easier.
Save your data. Learn how to create new files, overwrite existing ones, and safely add new information to the end of a file.
Process spreadsheets like a pro. Learn how to use Python's built-in csv module to read and write structured data for analysis.
Master the language of the web. Learn how to parse JSON data into Python dictionaries and save complex objects into JSON files.
Why clean code matters. Deep dive into Python context managers and how the 'with' statement automates resource cleanup and prevents memory leaks.
Stop your code from crashing. Learn how to catch errors gracefully and provide helpful feedback instead of the 'Red Screen of Death'.
Precision error handling. Learn why catching 'every' exception is risky and how to target specific errors like FileNotFoundError and ZeroDivisionError.
You're the boss. Learn how to use the 'raise' keyword to stop your program when your own business rules are broken, even if Python doesn't think it's an error.
The complete error handling loop. Learn how to use 'else' for success and 'finally' for guaranteed cleanup, ensuring your program leaves no loose ends.
Build a Secure Data Archive. Combine JSON handling, file system operations, and error management to create a professional data storage system.