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Introduction to Programming with Python

Build your programming skills and learn the basics of the Python programming language, from logic and functions to debugging with this online software development course.

Duration

4 weeks

Weekly study

3 hours

100% online

How it works

Unlimited subscription

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Discover the fundamentals of software development

Software development is a continuously growing industry with many opportunities for employment.

On this four-week course, you’ll master the basics of Python, a relatively simple programming language that is widely used in multiple industries.

Lay the foundations of programming

You’ll start this course by examining Python and how it compares to other programming languages. Then, you’ll start your journey to becoming a Python programmer by exploring the standards and conventions of the language and running a simple Python function test.

Learn the basic functions of Python

Through this course, you’ll gain immediate practical benefits for your career growth and professional development by building your programming skills in Python.

The second week of this course will guide you through the basics of the programming language, looking at variables, logic, functions, and loops. You’ll also be given practical tasks to complete at the end of each section to truly cement your new skills.

Explore how to improve your programs

Programming, at its core, is about problem-solving. It requires a lot of concentration, effort, and energy, so programmers are always looking for ways to be more efficient. That’s where debugging and version control come in.

You’ll look at the different types of errors that you can encounter while programming and the ways that you can approach debugging. Then, you’ll explore version control, specifically using Git and GitHub, which is a crucial tool in programming, especially when working as part of a development team.

Week 1
Getting started with Python
- Welcome to Python
  Explore the course, introduce yourself to your fellow learners, and learn how Python came into being and why it’s so important. You will also install and set up Python and write your first program in this activity.
- Becoming a Python programmer
  Once you have taken your first steps in Python programming, learn more about how to become a high-performing developer in this activity.
- Wrap-up
  So far this week, you’ve set yourself up for programming success. Now it’s time to join the Python community, which is a key step in your professional development. You’ll also reflect, share, and look ahead to Week 2.
Week 2
Python basics
- Variables
  Variables are perhaps the most important element in programming. Learn how to create different types of variables and how to use them to process information in this activity.
- Adding logic to programs
  A program doesn’t have to be entirely linear. You can write it to behave differently depending on conditions that you set. Learn how to use if, elif, and else statements to add branching structures in your code.
- Functions
  When it comes to coding, efficiency and modularity are key objectives. Learn how functions make code more efficient and modular, and how to create your own in this activity.
- Loops
  Sometimes, you need to do the same thing multiple times, but, luckily, you don’t need to write the same code over and over again. Learn how to automate repetitive actions in your Python programs using loops.
- Wrap-up
  You’ve learned a lot this week! Now it’s time to consolidate and practise your new coding skills with a slightly more challenging activity. You’ll also reflect, share, and look ahead to Week 3.
Week 3
Improving your programs
- Debugging
  Mistakes happen. Errors are inevitable. Fortunately, programmers have tools and techniques for systematically dealing with bugs. Learn about bugs and how to solve them in this activity.
- Version control
  A big, complex Python project could be tricky to manage. How do you keep track of what you’re doing? Learn how programmers maintain software and collaborate using version control systems in this activity.
- Wrap-up
  You’ve learned important concepts and refined your skills this week. Now practise what you’ve learned in this activity. You’ll also reflect, share, and look ahead to Week 4.
Week 4
Writing programs using classes and objects
- Introducing object-oriented programming
  Object-oriented programming (OOP) is one of the core features of Python, and an important concept to grasp for modern programming in general. Learn the basic principles of OOP in this activity.
- Using OOP
  Python implements OOP in very sophisticated, efficient ways. Learn how to use class and instance methods, and how to create child classes from parent classes in this activity.
- Wrap-up
  You’ve mastered some important concepts and refined your skills this week. Now practise what you’ve learned in this activity. You’ll also reflect and share for the course as a whole.