Python Foundations
Programming fundamentals with Python, one working project a week.
What you'll be able to do
- Write Python programs with variables, conditions, loops and functions
- Organise code into modules and test it with pytest
- Work with lists, dictionaries, files, JSON and CSV
- Use classes and objects to model real problems
- Ship a command-line app that uses a public web API
About this course
Programming fundamentals for complete beginners, taught with Python. Every week ends with a small, useful program, scored on GitHub with tests and a published rubric, so by the end you have eight working projects to show.
Week 1 is free, so you can try the lessons, the quiz and the pace before you pay.
You need: a laptop or desktop (Windows, macOS or Linux), or an Android phone with Termux. We recommend Git & GitHub Essentials (free) first.
Week by week
The planned syllabus. Lessons appear here as each week is published.
Week 1Setup, variables and input/output
Install Python and an editor; variables, numbers, strings, input() and print(). Project: a bill splitter for a group trip.
Week 2Conditions and loops
if/elif/else, comparisons and logic, while and for loops, range(). Project: a number-guessing game and a grade calculator.
Week 3Functions, modules and first tests
Defining functions, parameters and return values, modules, and testing with pytest. Project: an attendance calculator with tests.
Week 4Strings, lists and tuples
String methods, slicing, lists, tuples and list comprehensions. Project: a text analyser that counts words and finds the most common ones.
Week 5Dictionaries, sets and JSON
Dictionaries, sets, nested data, and reading and writing JSON. Project: a contact book saved to a JSON file.
Week 6Files, errors and exceptions
Reading and writing files, CSV, try/except, and raising your own errors. Project: an expense tracker with CSV reports.
Week 7Classes and objects
Classes, objects and methods, and modelling a real problem. Project: a library management mini-system.
Week 8Packages, virtual environments and web APIs
pip, virtual environments, calling a web API with requests, and a README that explains your project. Capstone: a command-line app built on a free public API.
Questions
- Is Week 1 really free?
- Yes. Sign in and do Week 1’s lessons and quiz without paying.
- Who scores my projects?
- A published rubric, applied the same way to every learner on your own GitHub repository. No AI decides your score, and paying never changes it.
- How long can I use it?
- It's self-paced: your schedule is built from the time you have each day, and you keep access for as long as we offer the course.
- What if it isn't for me?
- Ask within 7 days of paying for a full refund, no questions asked. Refund policy
Not sure where to start?
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