This course is about 40% hands-on, combining engaging, informed instructor presentations, demonstrations and discussions with extensive machine-based student labs and practical project work. Throughout the course students will learn to write essential Python scripts using the most current and efficient skills and techniques.   

Working within in an engaging, hands-on learning environment, guided by our expert instructor, students will learn to:  

• Thinking as a Software Developer, including coding logic and structures 
• Create working Python scripts following best practices 
• Use python data types appropriately 
• Read and write files with both text and binary data 
• Get familiar with the standard library and its work-saving modules 
• Know when to use collections such as dictionaries, and sets 
• Understand Pythonic features such as comprehensions and iterators 

This basic level course provides an excellent kick start for users new to Python and scripting or programming, enabling them to use basic Python skills on the job in a variety of ways. This in a basic-level Python course geared for student who are new to Software Development and use Python in projects, or system administrators and web site administrators who want to use Python to support their server installations, as well as anyone else who wants to automate or simplify common tasks with the use of Python scripts.  

Before attending this course, students must have: 

• Ability to use computers to start programs, open and save files, navigate application menus and interfaces 
• Ability to understand logical concepts such as comparisons 
• Understand number theory 
• Ability to create, understand, and follow structured directions or step-by-step procedures 
• Ability to understand and apply abstract concepts to concrete examples 

Please note that topics, labs, agenda items and timing are subject to adjust during live delivery based on audience needs and skill-level.  

An Overview of Software Development 

• Thinking as a developer 
• Pseudocode as a design tool 
• Analysis - Understanding the problem 
• Design - creating the solution 
• Let's Get Hands-On: Scripting and programming basics 

An Overview of Python 

• What is python? 
• Python Timeline  
• Advantages/Disadvantages of Python  
• Getting help with pydoc  

The Python Environment 

• Starting Python  
• Using the interpreter  
• Running a Python script  
• Python scripts on Unix/Windows 
• Editors and IDEs  

Getting Started 

• Using variables  
• Builtin functions  
• Strings  
• Numbers 
• Converting among types  
• Writing to the screen  
• Command line parameters  

Flow Control 

• About flow control  
• White space  
• Conditional expressions  
• Relational and Boolean operators  
• While loops  
• Alternate loop exits 

Array Types 

• About array types (AKA sequences) 
• Lists and list methods  
• Tuples  
• Indexing and slicing  
• Iterating through a sequence 
• Nested sequences  
• Sequence functions, keywords, and operators  
• List comprehensions  
• Generator Expressions 

Working with Files 

• File overview 
• Opening a text file  
• Reading a text file  
• Writing to a text file 

Dictionaries and Sets 

• About dictionaries  
• Creating dictionaries  
• Iterating through a dictionary  
• About sets  
• Creating sets  
• Working with sets  

Functions 

• Defining functions  
• Returning values  
• Parameters   
• Global and local scope