Take your first steps with Python

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Free Online Course: Take your first steps with Python provided by Microsoft Learn is a comprehensive online course, which lasts for 4-5 hours worth of material. The course is taught in English and is free of charge.

Overview
    • Module 1: A quick introduction to Python, programming languages, compilation, and the process of programming.
    • In this module, you'll learn:

      • What a programming language does, why Python is so popular, and why it's a great choice as your first programming language.
      • Why you must compile your code into a format that computers understand.
      • The process of programming and the software tools you must install.
    • Module 2: Get started with learning Python by installing and configuring the tools you'll need to build real applications.
    • By the end of this module, you'll be able to:

      • Install Python 3, if needed.
      • Install and configure Visual Studio Code and extensions on your computer.
      • Create a Python file.
      • Write and run Python code in Visual Studio Code.
    • Module 3: Get started with Python by writing code to interact with end users.
    • In this module, you will:

      • Create Python code files and execute that code inside of Visual Studio Code.
      • Write code to send a text message to the command line.
      • Write code to accept user input from the command line.
      • Understand why compilation and runtime errors occur, and what to do next.
      • Concatenate hard-coded text with user input to display custom-formatted messages to the user.
      • Perform mathematical addition on numeric data.
      • Convert alphanumeric data into numeric data and back (and learn why you need to do this).
    • Module 4: Use the if statement Boolean expressions with comparison and logic operators to express decision logic.
    • In this module, you will:

      • Use the if ... elif ... else statements to add decision logic to your Python code.
      • Understand the Boolean data type and what it represents in Python.
      • Compose Boolean expressions by using a rich set of comparison and logic operators.
    • Module 5: Use built-in features of the string class and other helper methods to control string data.
    • In this module, you will:

      • Use escape characters in literal strings to add new lines and tabs.
      • Use features of the print() function to format strings for display.
      • Call one of many built-in functions to strip empty spaces, add padding, and find and replace substrings.
      • Use the format() function to create a format string that contains a series of replacement fields.
    • Module 6: Convert user input to numeric values, and use mathematical operators to perform calculations.
    • In this module, you will:

      • Use the type(), isinstance(), and isnumeric() methods to inspect a value's data type and its suitability for use or conversion to a numeric data type.
      • Use mathematical operators to perform basic mathematical operations on numeric data.
      • Use the float data type to represent values that include fractional values represented by numbers after the decimal point.
    • Module 7: Explore the Python standard library, how to add a module to your program, and how to download third-party packages.
    • In this module, you will:

      • Explore the Python standard library.
      • Add the import statement to tell the Python compiler which modules you will use in your code.
      • Use the pip utility to download third-party open-sourced packages.
    • Module 8: Use the `while` statement and related Python code constructs to add looping logic to your programs.
    • In this module, you will:

      • Use the while statement to iterate through a code block.
      • Use the break, continue, and else statements to further control iteration.
      • Use alternate assignment operators to perform mathematical operations that also assign values.
    • Module 9: Learn how to use lists to manage a collection of data. Use helper functions to manipulate the list. Use the `for` statement to iterate through the list.
    • In this module, you will:

      • Create lists of related data.
      • Get an item or a subset of items from a list by using indexes and slices.
      • Add and remove items from a list.
      • Use helper functions for other list-related actions.
      • Iterate through a list by using the for iteration statement.
    • Module 10: Define functions to create encapsulated modular code that accept input and return results.
    • In this module, you'll:

      • Define functions that encapsulate functionality.
      • Add input parameters to functions so they can be called using input arguments.
      • Return values from functions.
      • Create modules to host functions that can be imported into other code files.

Syllabus
    • Module 1: What is Python?
      • Introduction
      • What is programming?
      • What is compilation?
      • What is the process of programming?
      • Knowledge check
      • Summary
    • Module 2: Set up your Python beginner development environment with Visual Studio Code
      • Introduction
      • Validate your Python version and installation
      • Install Python 3
      • Install Visual Studio Code
      • Install the Python extension
      • Create your first Python application
      • Knowledge check
      • Summary
    • Module 3: Create your first Python program
      • Introduction
      • Exercise - Hello world!
      • Exercise - Hello name
      • Exercise - Add numbers
      • Challenge
      • Solution
      • Knowledge check
      • Summary
    • Module 4: Branch code execution with the if and else statements in Python
      • Introduction
      • Exercise - Branch code with the if statement
      • Exercise - Boolean expressions
      • Challenge - Branch code execution based on user input
      • Solution - Branch code execution based on user input
      • Knowledge check
      • Summary
    • Module 5: Manipulate and format string data for display in Python
      • Introduction
      • Exercise - Format string literals
      • Exercise - Use string helper functions
      • Exercise - Use the `format()` function and format strings
      • Challenge - Manipulate and format strings
      • Solution - Manipulate and format strings
      • Knowledge check
      • Summary
    • Module 6: Perform mathematical operations on numeric data in Python
      • Introduction
      • Exercise - Determine the data types of values
      • Exercise - Determine whether a string can be converted to a number
      • Exercise - Perform mathematical operations on numbers
      • Challenge - Convert temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius
      • Solution - Convert temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius
      • Challenge - Build a simple calculator
      • Solution - Build a simple calculator
      • Check your knowledge
      • Summary
    • Module 7: Import standard library modules to add features to Python programs
      • Introduction
      • Overview of the Python standard library
      • Exercise - Use an import statement to utilize a standard library module
      • Exercise - Install a third-party package using pip
      • Knowledge check
      • Summary
    • Module 8: Iterate through code blocks by using the while statement
      • Introduction
      • Exercise - The while statement
      • Exercise - Assignment operators
      • Challenge - Guess a number
      • Solution - Guess a number
      • Challenge - Improved number guessing
      • Solution - Improved number guessing
      • Knowledge check
      • Summary
    • Module 9: Manage a sequence of data by using Python lists
      • Introduction
      • Exercise - Work with lists of data
      • Exercise - Iterate through lists by using the for statement
      • Challenge - Deal a deck of cards
      • Solution - Deal a deck of cards
      • Knowledge check
      • Summary
    • Module 10: Create reusable functionality with functions in Python
      • Introduction
      • Exercise - Define a function
      • Exercise - Add arbitrary argument lists and keyword arguments to functions
      • Exercise - Define a module
      • Challenge - Fill in the missing functions
      • Solutions - Fill in the missing functions
      • Knowledge check
      • Summary