Introduction to Programming with Python
Learn to think like a programmer and write real Python: variables, decisions, loops, lists, dictionaries, functions, files and small projects such as a quiz game and an expense tracker.
About this course
Programming is the skill of giving a computer clear, step-by-step instructions. With it you can automate boring tasks, build tools for your business or community, analyse data and, one day, create apps. Python is one of the best languages to start with because its code is short and almost reads like English, yet it is used by professionals in many fields.
This course takes you from "what is a program?" to building your own small projects. Every idea is explained in plain language, then shown in code that you type, run and change yourself. You will meet errors early and learn to read them calmly, because every programmer, however experienced, meets them every day.
You do not need any earlier programming knowledge. You do need to be comfortable using a computer, installing a program, and working patiently, one small step at a time.
What you will learn
- Explain what a program and an algorithm are, and plan a solution with a flowchart.
- Install Python, write a program in an editor and run it.
- Use variables, strings, numbers and user input to build interactive programs.
- Make programs decide with if, elif, else and the logical operators.
- Repeat work with while loops and for loops.
- Store and process data with lists, tuples, dictionaries and sets.
- Write your own functions and use modules from the standard library.
- Read and write text files, debug your code and complete a small project of your own.
Course content
5 modules · 20 lessons · 5 h 15 min · 6 quizzes
Module 1: Thinking like a programmer
Learn what programming is, plan with algorithms and flowcharts, install Python and run your first programs.
- What is programming? Algorithms and flowcharts 12 min
- Installing Python and running your first program 15 min
- print(), comments and text 12 min
- Errors and how to read them 14 min
- Quiz: 7 questions
Module 2: Data and operators
Store information in variables, work with strings and numbers, ask the user for input and compare values.
- Variables and names 13 min
- Strings, numbers and input() 16 min
- Arithmetic and f-strings 14 min
- Booleans and comparisons 12 min
- Quiz: 8 questions
Module 3: Decisions and loops
Make programs choose between actions and repeat tasks with while and for loops, then combine them in a game.
- Making decisions with if, elif and else 15 min
- Repeating with while loops 14 min
- for loops, range() and nested loops 15 min
- Project: a number-guessing game 20 min
- Quiz: 7 questions
Module 4: Collections and functions
Organise data in lists, tuples, dictionaries and sets, write reusable functions, use the standard library and handle files.
- Lists and tuples 16 min
- Dictionaries and sets 16 min
- Functions: reusable code 18 min
- The standard library and working with files 18 min
- Quiz: 8 questions
Module 5: Building small projects
Debug your code, build a quiz game, an expense tracker, a contact book and a converter, and plan your next steps.
- Debugging and good programming habits 16 min
- Project: a quiz game and an expense tracker 22 min
- Project: a contact book and a converter 22 min
- Next steps and your final project 15 min
- Quiz: 7 questions
28 questions. Pass with 70% or more to earn your certificate.
What you need
- A computer or laptop where you can install Python (Windows, Mac or Linux)
- Basic computer skills: files, folders, typing
- No programming experience needed