Python Fundamentals

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Course overview

Develop your understanding of Python syntax, programming concepts and code structure on this one-day Python Fundamentals course. By examining and modifying sample scripts, you’ll learn to recognise common elements of Python code and make sense of how they work together.

Build your understanding of Python code

Python is widely used for automation, data science and web applications. This introductory course explores core concepts including variables, expressions, functions, loops and data containers. Working with sample scripts, you’ll learn how to recognise these elements within Python code, understand their purpose and begin making sense of existing programs.

Learning objectives

Describe basic Python script structure and coding rules
Identify variables, literal values and data types
Interpret expressions using Python operators
Interpret if statements and code blocks
Identify function calls and the purpose of modules
Identify lists, strings and dictionaries
Interpret the behaviour of Python loops
Recognise objects, attributes and methods

What you’ll learn

See how the main elements of Python code work within a script. You’ll cover variables and data, expressions, functions, containers, loops and objects, using examples and exercises to understand their purpose and behaviour.

Python basics and working with data

Explore how a computer uses its processor, memory, disk, stdin and stdout, and the types of instructions it can execute. You’ll look at how Python compares with other languages, including statements, comments, scripts and general coding rules, before covering Python and Visual Studio Code setup. You’ll then examine variables, literal values, keywords, naming conventions and basic data types, including moving data between disk and memory and using stdin and stdout.

Expressions and conditional logic

Learn how Python computes new values through expressions, using operators and operands and following an order of evaluation. You’ll also explore conditional execution, including how the if statement controls when instructions are run. This section introduces indentation and code blocks, helping you understand how Python structures instructions and controls the flow of a script.

Functions, modules and containers

Understand how Python organises and reuses code through functions and modules. You’ll distinguish between variables and functions and explore arguments, function calls, function declarations and the use of function calls within expressions. You’ll also examine containers for working with multiple values, including lists, strings and dictionaries, and learn how subscripting provides access to individual values and how mutability determines whether data can be modified.

Loops, objects and methods

Explore how Python repeats instructions using while and for loops, including how to break out of a loop early. You’ll then look at how variables and functions can be grouped together as objects, covering dot notation, attributes and methods. Using strings and lists as examples, you’ll examine how methods are accessed and used, before being introduced to classes as another type of data in Python.

What’s included

One day of instructor-led Python Fundamentals training
Live lab access for hands-on practice
Expert tutor guidance throughout

Key facts

Ideal for

Anyone looking for a brief introduction to Python with little or no previous programming experience, particularly those who want to understand existing Python scripts or decide whether to continue learning Python in greater depth.

Prerequisites

No previous Python or programming experience is required. You’ll only need basic computing skills, such as navigating files, creating and editing files, and using the web.

Learning experience

Our experienced trainers and interactive labs create a focused, practical environment – so you can put theory into practice from day one.

Full module listing

Click on each day below to see the breakdown of modules that you’ll cover on the course.

Day one

Session 1: INTRODUCTION

The anatomy of a computer – processor, memory, disk, stdin, stdout etc.
The types of instructions a computer can execute
What makes Python similar to and different from other languages
Statements, comments, and scripts
Some general rules of coding
Installing Python and Visual Studio Code

Session 2: VARIABLES

Why we need data in memory
Names for data in memory
Differentiating between names and literal values (data)
How names should be named
Names vs keywords
Basic data types
Copying data from disk into memory (and back again)
Reading data from stdin and writing data to stdout

Session 3: EXPRESSIONS

The computing of new values (information)
Operators and operands
Categories of operator
The order in which operators are evaluated

Session 4: CONDITIONS

Instructions that are executed only some of the time
Indenting and code blocks
The if statement

Session 5: FUNCTIONS

Don’t repeat yourself
Names for code in memory
Differentiating between variables and functions
Arguments
Function calls as expressions
Function declarations
Modules

Session 6: CONTAINERS

What to do when there is more than one of something
Lists
Strings
Dictionaries
Accessing a value inside a container (subscripting)
To modify or not to modify (mutability)

Session 7: LOOPS

Doing the same thing over and over
The while loop
The for loop
Breaking out early

Session 8: OBJECTS

Variables and functions grouped together
The dot notation
Attributes and methods
String methods
List methods
Other types of data (classes)

FAQs

Find answers to common questions about the Python Fundamentals course, including previous experience, the topics covered and options for continuing your Python training.

What Python programming skills will I learn on this course?

You’ll cover Python fundamentals including variables, data types, expressions, conditions, functions, modules, containers, loops and objects. Rather than writing programs from scratch, you’ll work with sample scripts to learn how to read existing Python code, understand its main elements and make basic modifications.

Do I need previous coding experience to learn Python fundamentals?

No. The course is designed for people with little or no previous programming experience. You only need basic computing skills, including being able to navigate the filesystem and create and edit files. It provides a foundation for understanding Python and can help you decide whether you want to continue studying the language in greater depth.

What courses can I take after completing Python Fundamentals?

After completing Python Fundamentals, potential next steps include Python Programming 1 or Introduction to Python and Data Analysis. Both are listed as further learning options for delegates who want to continue developing their Python knowledge.

How are loops and conditional statements used in Python?

Conditional statements allow instructions to be executed only in certain circumstances, with the course introducing the Python if statement and the use of indentation and code blocks. You’ll also explore while and for loops for repeating instructions, including how to break out of a loop early.

What our customers say

“Great course. Alan has been courteous and informative throughout. Highly recommended and will absolutely be coming back for more courses.”

Bradley, Software Engineer - Government

“Really informative course, structured to support all forms of learning and at a good pace.”

Owen, Graduate Trainee Engineer - Utilities

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