Programming Fundamentals
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Programming Fundamentals
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What you'll learn
Set up a Python development environment and write your first Python code.
Understand basic data types like numbers, strings, and booleans in Python.
Use control structures such as if, else, and loops to create dynamic programs.
Work with Python's collection types including lists, dictionaries, and sets for data organization.
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
May 2026
6 assignments
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There are 5 modules in this course
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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 dive into the world of programming using Python. Starting with an understanding of the environment setup, you'll quickly learn the fundamentals of the Python language and basic programming concepts. The course will guide you through the initial stages of coding, including exploring the REPL, working with variables, and understanding expressions and statements. You'll be equipped with practical skills to navigate the common errors beginners face and start writing clean code confidently. As you continue, you will explore Python's basic data types such as numbers, strings, and booleans, and understand how to apply them effectively in different scenarios. You'll also gain a solid understanding of control structures like if statements, loops, and logical operations, all of which are essential to write dynamic, interactive programs. As you advance, the course introduces collection types like lists, dictionaries, and sets, expanding your ability to manage and manipulate data in Python. This course is ideal for anyone eager to learn programming, especially those new to Python or coding in general. It is designed for beginners, so no prior programming knowledge is required. The course's step-by-step structure ensures a gradual learning experience, allowing you to become comfortable with Python's syntax and logic at your own pace. By the end of the course, you will be able to confidently write Python programs, use different data types and control structures, understand iteration concepts, and apply them to create effective solutions for real-world problems.
In this module, we will introduce the foundational concepts of programming, focusing on the Python language. You will learn how to set up your development environment, understand basic data types, and work with variables and expressions. This module aims to equip you with the essential knowledge to start writing simple programs.
What's included
5 videos1 reading
5 videosβ’Total 106 minutes
- Overviewβ’2 minutes
- Setting Up the Environmentβ’31 minutes
- Exploring the REPLβ’25 minutes
- Variables and Valuesβ’29 minutes
- Expressions and Statementsβ’19 minutes
1 readingβ’Total 10 minutes
- Full Course Resourcesβ’10 minutes
In this module, we will dive into the core data types in Python, such as numbers, strings, and Booleans. You will explore the characteristics and operations of each type, providing a solid foundation for building more complex programs. This section will help you understand how data types influence program behavior.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videosβ’Total 106 minutes
- Basic Data Typesβ’29 minutes
- Basic Data Types: Numbersβ’21 minutes
- Basic Data Types: Stringsβ’30 minutes
- Basic Data Types: Booleansβ’25 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- Basic Data Types - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will explore how to compare data and control the flow of your program using logical structures. You will learn how to use conditional statements such as if, else, and elif to manage different outcomes based on conditions. This section is key to adding intelligence to your Python programs.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videosβ’Total 142 minutes
- Compare Dataβ’32 minutes
- Logic Controlβ’23 minutes
- If Statementsβ’34 minutes
- if-Else Statementsβ’22 minutes
- If-Elif-Else Statementsβ’32 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- Comparisons, Conditions and Control - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will explore Python's collection types, including lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets. You will learn how to use these collections for organizing and manipulating data, along with the unique operations each collection type supports. This section will enable you to handle more complex data structures in your programs.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videosβ’Total 185 minutes
- Listsβ’28 minutes
- Lists Part 2β’36 minutes
- Tuplesβ’34 minutes
- Dictionariesβ’28 minutes
- Dictionaries Part 2β’28 minutes
- Setsβ’31 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- Collection Types - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
In this module, we will cover iteration in Python, focusing on loops and how to automate repetitive tasks. You will learn how to use both for and while loops, and how Python allows for more concise code through list and dictionary comprehensions. This section will help you efficiently iterate over data collections.
What's included
6 videos3 assignments
6 videosβ’Total 158 minutes
- What is Iterationβ’17 minutes
- For Loopsβ’30 minutes
- While Loopsβ’22 minutes
- List Comprehensionsβ’25 minutes
- Dictionary Comprehensionsβ’28 minutes
- Iteration Helpersβ’36 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 90 minutes
- Iteration - Assessmentβ’15 minutes
- Full Course Assessmentβ’60 minutes
- Full Course Practice Assessmentβ’15 minutes
Instructor
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Duke University
Course
- Status: Free Trial
Course
- Status: Free TrialD
Duke University
Course
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Frequently asked questions
This course covers the basics of programming using Python, a versatile and beginner-friendly language. You will learn how to set up your development environment, understand basic programming concepts like variables, expressions, and control flow, and work with essential data types and collection structures. The course is designed for beginners and provides a solid foundation for programming.
By the end of this course, you will be able to write basic Python programs, understand how to manipulate data using variables and data types, implement control structures like if-else and loops, and work with data collections like lists, tuples, and dictionaries. Youβll also be able to create more efficient and readable code using list and dictionary comprehensions.
This course is intended for beginners, so no prior programming knowledge is required. Basic computer usage skills and an interest in learning programming are sufficient.
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