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Programming in Python for Beginners

Learn Python the hands-on way. From writing your first program to building real projects with files, functions, and data structures.

Hours

Beginner

  Last Updated
June 2025

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This course includes:

  • Access to private discord community
  • lessons, videos, code-alongs, exercises, solutions, projects, and more
  • Unlimited access to all courses, webinars, office hours and resources

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Prerequisites:

No previous experience in programming is needed! We'll guide you through everything you need to know.

What we'll cover...

  • Set up a complete Python development environment with VS Code and essential tools
  • Understand the basics of object-oriented programming with classes
  • Work with variables, strings, input/output, and built-in functions
  • Read and write text, CSV, and JSON files for real-world applications
  • Write conditional logic and use loops to automate and structure your programs
  • Use pip, virtual environments, and pytest for professional development workflows
  • Manage collections of data using lists, sets, tuples, and dictionaries
  • Practice your skills through dozens of coding exercises and a capstone project
  • Organize reusable code with functions and handle errors like a pro

Why Learn Python?

Python's syntax is clean and intuitive. It hides some the implementation details and computer science concepts, making it a top choice not only for professional developers, but people who are "tech-adjacent" and want to be able to write basic scripts and automation to increase their productivity.

It's everywhere in the job market.
Python consistently ranks as one of the most in-demand programming languages. From data science and web development to automation and artificial intelligence, Python skills open doors across virtually every industry. Major companies like Google, Netflix, Instagram, and Spotify rely heavily on Python.

The learning curve is gentle but the ceiling is high.
Python is beginner-friendly enough that you won't get overwhelmed, but powerful enough that you'll never outgrow it. The same language you use for your first "Hello World" program is the same one powering machine learning at Tesla and managing Instagram's backend.

It's the Data Analytics, DevOps and automation champion.
Python is the undisputed king of data analytics, with powerful libraries like pandas, NumPy, and matplotlib that turn raw data into actionable insights. Whether you're analyzing user behavior, tracking application performance, or generating reports for stakeholders, Python makes complex data work feel effortless. Beyond analytics, Python also dominates in DevOps tooling, infrastructure automation, and CI/CD pipelines. The foundations you lay in this course will set you up for success in any of these pathways.

Let’s make Python your new
favorite language.

Warning: mild obsession may occur.

Course Outline

Module 1: Getting Started

  • We have a lot of interactives and other elements. Before you start, let's cover how to use them!
  • Welcome to Python
  • Navigating the Course

Module 2: Setting Up Your Environment

  • Learn how to set up your development environment with Python, VS Code, and essential tools.
  • How Applications Work
  • File System Basics
  • Terminal Basics
  • Quickstart: Setting Up Your Coding Environment on Windows
  • Installing Python (Windows, macOS, and Linux)
  • Installing and Configuring Visual Studio Code
  • Getting the Course Materials from GitHub

Module 3: Variables and Data Types

  • Learn the fundamentals of Python variables, data types, and string manipulation.
  • Variables and Comments
  • Simple Data Types
  • Getting Input from the Terminal
  • Exercises: Terminal Input and Simple Types
  • Solutions: Terminal Input and Simple Types
  • Attributes and Globals
  • A Deeper Look at Strings
  • Exercises: Working with Strings
  • Solutions: Working with Strings

Module 4: Conditional Statements

  • Make decisions in your code with if statements and import Python modules to help with common tasks.
  • If Statements
  • Import Statements and Random Numbers
  • Demo: Higher or Lower?
  • Exercises: Exploring the Math Module
  • Solutions: Exploring the Math Module
  • Exercise: Temperature Conversion
  • Solution: Temperature Conversion

Module 5: Loops

  • Loops allow us to repeat code statements. We will demonstrate for and while loops with practical examples.
  • While Loops
  • Demo: Application Loops
  • Exercise: Running Total
  • Solution: Running Total
  • For Loops
  • Demo: Factors
  • Demo: Multiplication Table
  • Exercise: Fizzbuzz
  • Solution: Fizzbuzz

Module 6: Lists and Sets

  • Introduce Python's powerful collection types including lists and sets for managing groups of data.
  • The List Type
  • Demo: Dice Statistics
  • Exercise: Restaurant Waitlist
  • Solution: Waitlist
  • Splitting and Joining Strings
  • The Set Type
  • Demo: Unique Words
  • Exercise: Music Matchmaker
  • Solution: Music Matchmaker
  • Exercise: Forbidden Words
  • Solution: Forbidden Words
  • Exercise: The Guessing Game
  • Solution: The Guessing Game

Module 7: Functions

  • Code reuse is something professionals focus on. Learn to organize your code with functions and handle errors gracefully.
  • Declaring and Using Functions
  • Handling Errors
  • Demo: Validated Input
  • Exercise: Terminal Utilities
  • Solution: Terminal Utilities

Module 8: Data Structures

  • Learn to use advanced data structures including tuples, dictionaries, and basic object-oriented programming.
  • Working with Date and Time Information
  • Tuples
  • Exercise: Recurring Meeting Scheduler
  • Solution: Recurring Meeting Scheduler
  • Dictionaries
  • Demo: Dice Statistics 2
  • Sorting Dictionary Elements in a List
  • Exercise: Refactoring Restaurant Waitlist
  • Solution: Refactoring Restaurant Waitlist
  • Class Basics
  • Exercise: Tic-Tac-Toe
  • Solution: Tic-Tac-Toe

Module 9: Working with Files

  • Learn to read, write, and manipulate different file formats including text, JSON, and CSV files.
  • Text Files in Python
  • Working with JSON in Python
  • Exercise: Media List
  • Demo: CSV Files
  • Solution: Media List

Module 10: Pip and PyTest

  • Discover Python package management and testing with pip, virtual environments, and pytest. The practice minis will give you dozens of short code exercises to reinforce the concepts we have learned so far.
  • Packages and Virtual Environments
  • Demo: Understanding Namespaces
  • Unit Testing with pytest
  • Exercise: Practice Minis

Module 11: Capstone

  • Apply everything you've learned in a comprehensive capstone project and plan your next steps.
  • Capstone: Locker Rental Kiosk
  • Solution: Locker Rental Kiosk
  • Next Steps

How We Build Developers

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Written Lessons That Actually Make Sense
 

Our written content explains complex concepts in plain English, with real examples you can quickly apply. You'll understand not just what to do, but why pros make the decisions we do.

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Hands-On Practice That Builds Confidence

Every concept comes with code samples and exercises. You can't learn to play guitar without putting your fingers on the strings and you can't learn to code without writing a lot of code!
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Videos That Show, Don't Just Tell

You'll see how professional developers think, debug, and refactor code. These aren't just lectures, but applied theory. See concepts actually used together!
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Rigorous Capstone Projects That Prove Your Skills

You'll build substantial applications that demonstrate your ability to architect solutions, handle complexity, and deliver professional-quality code.

Join developers who chose...

depth over speed,
understanding
over memorizationand 
professional skills over participation certificates.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need any coding experience to take this course?

Not at all! This course is designed for absolute beginners. We walk you through fundamentals of how computers and applications work, setting up your development environment, and writing your first "Hello, World" program before getting into the "meat".

Should I learn Python or C# first?

It depends. (No really, it depends!)

If you've never tried coding before and want a gentle introduction with forgiving syntax, then Python is a great place to start learning. You'll focus on problem-solving and core programming logic without getting overwhelmed by complex rules, which builds confidence and keeps you motivated early on.

If you want a deeper dive into programming concepts from the start, then beginning with our C# pathway is excellent and learning Python later will be downright easy because of the solid foundations C# provides. C#'s structured approach teaches you disciplined programming habits and deeper computer science concepts upfront. Either way, you'll want both languages in your toolkit as a professional developer because hybrid teams are increasingly the norm. It's really about which learning style fits you better.

What kinds of projects will I build?

You’ll complete dozens of mini-practice exercises, games like Tic-Tac-Toe, and a full capstone project: a Python-powered Locker Rental Kiosk with real file and data handling.

Will I learn to write professional-quality Python code?

Yes! You’ll not only learn basic syntax, but also how to structure your code, use functions, handle errors, and even write tests with Pytest. These are the skills real developers use every day.

 What if I get stuck? Is there support?

Yes! Your Skill Foundry membership includes access to our private Discord community where you can ask questions, get help, and connect with peers and mentors.

Is this course included in my Skill Foundry subscription?

Yes! The entire Python course, all exercises, and every solution are fully included in your membership.

Will this course help me start a tech career?

It’s a great first step. Python is used everywhere, from web development and automation to data science and AI. This course gives you the foundation to explore any of those paths with confidence. It is the "true zero" starting point.

About the Author

Eric Wise

Software Architect | Mentor | Entrepreneur
Eric isn't just another online instructor, he's a veteran software architect, multi-time tech entrepreneur, and someone who's been in every corner of the industry from tech start ups, big corporations, and freelancing.
But what makes Eric truly special is his legendary ability to explain complex concepts in ways that actually stick.

Forge your Future. Learn to Code.

You can’t fast forward time, but you can stop wasting it.

Join now and start making real progress.

Start today.

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Monthly Plan

$75/month

  • Full access to all courses and learning paths
  • Learn at your own pace. No deadlines or pressure
  •  Regular content updates and new project releases
  • Access to our supportive Discord community
  • Help from the Skill Foundry team when you need it

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Annual Plan

$600/year

  • All monthly plan benefits
  • Access 24/7 to all courses and updates