FA-0784Software Development

Beginning Python — Five-Day Foundations

Core programming, data structures, functions, objects and files

Introduction

Why this course

Build Python programming foundations without needing prior programming experience. Translate simple problems into logical steps, algorithms and pseudocode, then implement functions, modules, objects and file-based programs. Experienced programmers or returning Python users can also use the course to refresh the fundamentals. Optional extensions are separate from the five-day core.

Learning outcomes

Use a selected Python editor, notebook or command-line environment.
Apply syntax, operators, conditions, loops and core data structures.
Develop reusable functions and modules with appropriate arguments and return values.
Create classes and apply inheritance, properties and introductory polymorphism.
Read/write files and work with directories.
Organise and document small programs and identify resources for further learning.

Prerequisites

Ability to use a computer
Ability to use the internet
Manage files and understand basic file systems in the computer
Ability to communicate in the English language

A suitable computer, browser, reliable internet and a compatible supported Python environment.

Training outline

6 modules

01Day 1 — Python and development tools4 topics

Python history, features and application areas.
Install a compatible Python version on Windows, macOS or Linux.
Compare Jupyter Notebook, VS Code and PyCharm; use one selected environment for practice.
Create/manage notebooks or run/debug scripts; use the CLI and Python REPL.

02Day 1 — Syntax and control flow3 topics

Indentation, variables, data types and conversion.
Arithmetic, comparison and logical operators.
if/elif/else, for/while, break, continue and pass.

03Day 2 — Core data structures4 topics

Lists: creation, access, methods and comprehensions.
Tuples: creation, access and operations.
Sets: creation, membership and operations.
Dictionaries: keys/values, access, methods and functions.

04Day 3 — Functions and modules3 topics

Function definition, parameters, arguments and return values.
Import modules and use their functions and variables.
Explore standard-library modules and build a small standalone module.

05Day 4 — Object-oriented programming6 topics

OOP concepts, classes, objects, instance variables and methods.
Inheritance, overriding and introductory multiple inheritance.
Encapsulation conventions and name mangling; Python does not enforce private/protected access like some other languages.
Properties with getter, setter and deleter behaviour.
Polymorphism, operator overloading and abstract base classes.
Flexible method arguments and overriding, rather than automatic overload selection from multiple same-name definitions.

06Day 5 — File handling and good practice4 topics

Open/close, read/write and file modes.
Create/delete/list directories and manage the working directory in a prepared lab.
Naming conventions, code organisation, comments and documentation.
Find official documentation, tutorials and community resources for further learning.

Optional extension topics

Select appropriate extensions according to learning goals and available additional time; the five-day core does not promise all of the following.

Errors and exceptions: raise, try, except and finally.
Regular expressions: pattern matching, search/replace and flags.
Networking: sockets, HTTP requests, permitted scraping and REST APIs.
Concurrency: threading and multiprocessing concepts.
Library/framework overview: NumPy, SciPy, pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Flask and Django.
Virtual environments: create/activate and install packages.
Packaging/distribution and application-deployment concepts.

A programme built around your team.

Share your training goals and requirements.