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⇱ Introduction to Python Programming and Essentials | Coursera


Introduction to Python Programming and Essentials

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Introduction to Python Programming and Essentials

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

8 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

8 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Remember Python data types such as integers, strings, lists, and dictionaries and identify their uses in various coding scenarios.

  • Understand the fundamental concepts of functions, conditionals, and loops in Python and how they control the flow of a program.

  • Apply user input processing and string formatting in Python to create dynamic and user-friendly programs.

  • Analyze and debug Python code to identify errors in functions, loops, and file processing and apply troubleshooting techniques to correct them.

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Assessments

13 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Master Python with Real-World Data & Web Projects Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 12 modules in this course

This course features Coursera Coach!

A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. In this course, you’ll master the foundational concepts of Python, from data types to loops, functions, and file processing. You’ll start with a comprehensive introduction to Python and get hands-on experience with installing Python and setting up an IDE. As you dive deeper into Python's essentials, you’ll learn about variables, data types (like integers, strings, lists, and dictionaries), and operations that you can perform on them. With this foundation, you will be able to start writing simple programs and gradually move to more complex functions and loops. Throughout the course, you'll be introduced to concepts in a structured, easy-to-understand format, with each section building on the last. You’ll explore how to interact with users through input processing, create your own functions, and apply conditionals to control the flow of your code. The course emphasizes real-world application, teaching you how to use Python’s built-in features to solve practical problems, such as processing files and managing user inputs. This course is perfect for beginners who are keen to learn Python and understand its core concepts in depth. Whether you’re new to programming or looking to solidify your Python skills, this course will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to build your own Python programs. No prior programming experience is required, and by the end of the course, you'll be capable of writing, running, and debugging Python code to solve real-world problems. By the end of the course, you will be able to create Python programs with functions, handle user inputs, manipulate data with various data types, implement loops, process files, and understand Python modules.

In this module, we will introduce you to the instructor and provide an overview of what to expect in the course. You'll learn about the key topics, the structure of the lessons, and how the course is designed to help you build foundational Python skills. This sets the stage for your journey into Python programming.

What's included

1 video2 readings

1 videoTotal 4 minutes
  • Introduction to the Specialization4 minutes
2 readingsTotal 20 minutes
  • Introduction to the Course 'Introduction to Python Programming and Essentials'10 minutes
  • Full Specialization Resources10 minutes

In this module, we will guide you through the initial setup of Python and your coding environment. You'll learn how to install Python and Visual Studio Code, write your first Python program, and understand the fundamentals of how Python operates. This foundational knowledge ensures you're prepared to start coding.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

4 videosTotal 15 minutes
  • Section Introduction1 minute
  • Installing Python and the IDE1 minute
  • Creating and Running a Python Program9 minutes
  • What (Surprisingly) Is Python?4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Getting Started with Python - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will explore the fundamental building blocks of Python—data types and variables. You'll gain a deep understanding of integers, strings, floats, and more complex data structures like lists, dictionaries, and tuples. By the end, you'll be able to confidently use and manipulate data in your Python programs.

What's included

13 videos1 assignment

13 videosTotal 44 minutes
  • Section Introduction1 minute
  • Variables -Why and How to Use Variables6 minutes
  • Python Interactive Shell7 minutes
  • Terminal4 minutes
  • Simple Types: Integers, Strings, and Floats3 minutes
  • List Types2 minutes
  • Ranges5 minutes
  • Data Type Attributes3 minutes
  • How to Find Out What Code You Need4 minutes
  • Dictionary Types4 minutes
  • What Makes a Programmer a Programmer?2 minutes
  • Tuples2 minutes
  • How to Use Datatypes in the Real World1 minute
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • The Basics: Data Types - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will dive into operations with Python’s core data types, focusing on lists and dictionaries. You'll learn how to access and manipulate elements within these data structures, work with negative indexing, and leverage Python 3.10's improved error messages for smoother coding experiences.

What's included

8 videos1 assignment

8 videosTotal 21 minutes
  • Section Introduction1 minute
  • Tip: Better Error Messages in Python 3.104 minutes
  • More Operations with Lists6 minutes
  • Accessing List Items2 minutes
  • Accessing List Slices3 minutes
  • Accessing Items and Slices with Negative Indexes2 minutes
  • Accessing Characters and Slices in Strings2 minutes
  • Accessing Items in Dictionaries2 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • The Basics: Operations with Data Types - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will introduce you to the power of functions and conditionals. You'll learn to write custom functions to modularize your code and use conditionals to handle different scenarios in your programs. Mastering these concepts will help you create dynamic and responsive Python applications.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment

9 videosTotal 26 minutes
  • Section Introduction2 minutes
  • Creating Your Own Functions5 minutes
  • Print or Return?4 minutes
  • Introduction to Conditionals1 minute
  • If Conditional Example4 minutes
  • Conditional Explained Line by Line3 minutes
  • More on Conditionals2 minutes
  • Elif Conditionals1 minute
  • White Space4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • The Basics: Functions and Conditionals - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will focus on taking user input and using it within your Python programs. You'll learn how to format strings and handle multiple inputs, which is crucial for developing interactive programs that communicate with the user.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

4 videosTotal 18 minutes
  • Section Introduction1 minute
  • User Input8 minutes
  • String Formatting5 minutes
  • String Formatting with Multiple Variables4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • The Basics: Processing User Input - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will dive into loops, which are essential for repetitive tasks in programming. You'll explore the power of for and while loops, iterating over collections like lists and dictionaries, and using loop control statements like break and continue to enhance your program's flexibility.

What's included

6 videos1 assignment

6 videosTotal 18 minutes
  • Section Introduction1 minute
  • For Loops: How and Why6 minutes
  • Looping Through a Dictionary1 minute
  • While Loops: How and Why3 minutes
  • While Loop Example with User Input3 minutes
  • While Loops with Break and Continue3 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • The Basics: Loops - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will bring everything together to build a small program. Using the concepts learned so far, you will learn how to approach problem-solving, integrate different Python structures, and produce a user-friendly output, resulting in a fully functional application.

What's included

6 videos1 assignment

6 videosTotal 20 minutes
  • Section Introduction1 minute
  • Problem Statement4 minutes
  • Approaching the Problem2 minutes
  • Building the Maker Function5 minutes
  • Constructing the Loop5 minutes
  • Making the Output User-Friendly3 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Putting the Pieces Together: Building a Program - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will explore list comprehensions, a powerful and concise way to write code in Python. You’ll learn how to simplify loops and conditionals into one-liner expressions to create and manipulate lists, making your code cleaner and more efficient.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

4 videosTotal 7 minutes
  • Section Introduction1 minute
  • Simple List Comprehension3 minutes
  • List Comprehension with If Conditional1 minute
  • List Comprehension with If-Else Conditional2 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • List Comprehensions - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will take a deeper dive into functions. You'll learn how to work with multiple arguments, default and non-default parameters, and keyword arguments. This will help you write more versatile functions and improve the flexibility of your code.

What's included

5 videos1 assignment

5 videosTotal 10 minutes
  • Section Introduction1 minute
  • Functions with Multiple Arguments2 minutes
  • Default and Non-Default Parameters and Keyword and Non-Keyword Arguments3 minutes
  • Functions with an Arbitrary Number of Non-Keyword Arguments4 minutes
  • Functions with an Arbitrary Number of Keyword Arguments2 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • More about Functions - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will explore how to process files in Python. You'll learn how to open, read, write, and close files, and gain a strong understanding of file paths and file types. By the end of this section, you’ll be able to handle file input and output seamlessly within your programs.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment

9 videosTotal 20 minutes
  • Section Introduction2 minutes
  • Processing Files with Python1 minute
  • Reading Text from a File3 minutes
  • File Cursor2 minutes
  • Closing a File2 minutes
  • Opening Files Using "with"2 minutes
  • Different File paths1 minute
  • Writing Text to a File4 minutes
  • Appending Text to an Existing File4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • File Processing - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will introduce you to Python's modular programming approach. You'll learn how to use built-in and third-party modules, such as Pandas, and even create your own custom modules to better organize your code and extend its functionality.

What's included

5 videos1 reading3 assignments

5 videosTotal 26 minutes
  • Section Introduction2 minutes
  • Built-In Modules6 minutes
  • Standard Python Modules9 minutes
  • Third-Party Modules6 minutes
  • Third-Party Module Example3 minutes
1 readingTotal 10 minutes
  • Conclusion to the Course 'Introduction to Python Programming and Essentials'10 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes
  • Modules - Assessment15 minutes
  • Full Course Assessment60 minutes
  • Full Course Practice Assessment15 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

Python is a versatile, high-level programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It is widely used in various fields such as web development, data science, machine learning, automation, and more. Python’s relevance lies in its ease of use for beginners and its powerful capabilities for professionals. It’s an essential tool for anyone looking to pursue a career in programming or data-related fields.

The "Introduction to Python Programming and Essentials" course is designed to introduce learners to the fundamental concepts of Python programming. It covers essential topics such as data types, variables, functions, conditionals, loops, user input processing, file handling, and modules. The course emphasizes building a solid foundation, allowing learners to write Python programs confidently and understand key programming concepts.

After completing the course, you will be able to write Python programs, use variables and data types effectively, create and utilize functions, apply conditionals and loops, process user inputs, and handle files. You’ll also be able to work with built-in and third-party Python modules, creating more dynamic and versatile applications.

No prior programming knowledge is required to enroll in this course. It’s designed for beginners who want to learn Python from scratch. If you have a basic understanding of using a computer and installing software, you're ready to get started.

This course is perfect for beginners who want to start learning Python and those who need a refresher on the basics of the language. It's ideal for anyone interested in programming, including students, aspiring developers, data analysts, or professionals seeking to add Python to their skill set.

The course contains approximately 3 hours of video content. Depending on your pace and level of engagement, you may complete the course in a few days or over a couple of weeks. The course is designed to be flexible, allowing learners to take their time to grasp each concept.

Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.

If you decide to enroll in the course before the session start date, you will have access to all of the lecture videos and readings for the course. You’ll be able to submit assignments once the session starts.

Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. You’ll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.

If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Course Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Course Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

This course is currently available only to learners who have paid or received financial aid, when available.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,