Training Program
Python Essentials
Build strong Python programming capability through a comprehensive 5-day instructor-led program covering core language skills, modular design, object-oriented programming, exceptions, and practical development techniques.
Duration
5 Days
Overview
This 5-day Python Essentials program provides a strong foundation in Python programming, core language features, modules, object-oriented programming, exceptions, and practical development tasks.
Introduction
Python is widely used for scripting, automation, software development, backend systems, and many other technical domains. This instructor-led Python Essentials program introduces participants to the language in a structured way, building confidence from core syntax and built-in types through functions, modules, object-oriented design, exception handling, and common development tasks.
Topics Covered
- Why Python
- How Python Runs Programs
- Numbers
- Strings
- Lists and Dictionaries
- Tuples, Files, and Core Type Concepts
- Assignment, Expressions, and Print
- If Tests
- While and For Loops
- Function Basics
- Scopes and Arguments
- The Big Picture
- Coding Basics with Modules
- Packages
- OOP: The Big Picture
- Class Coding Basics
- Class Coding Details
- Designing with Classes
- Exception Basics
- Exception Objects
- Designing with Exceptions
- Common Tasks in Python
- Advanced Topics
Audience Profile
This course is designed for participants already using Korn shell scripting, Perl, or C programming languages to manipulate files or control processes.
Prerequisites
This course requires participants to have an Introduction to Unix course or equivalent experience, as well as recent programming experience.
Day 1 - Python Foundations and Core Data Types
1. Why Python
- Why people use Python
- Python as a scripting and programming language
- What can be built with Python
- Python technical strengths
- Python for projects of different sizes
2. How Python Runs Programs
- Introducing the Python interpreter
- Program execution flow
- Execution model variations
- Interactive and script-based execution
3. Numbers
- Python program structure
- Why use built-in types
- Numbers in Python
- Python expression operators
- Numbers in action
- Dynamic typing overview
4. Strings
- String literals
- Strings in action
- String formatting
- String methods
- General type categories
5. Lab 1: Python Core Language Practice
- Work with numeric expressions and dynamic typing
- Build string formatting examples
- Run scripts using the interpreter and standalone files
Day 2 - Sequences, Flow Control, and Program Structure
6. Lists and Dictionaries
- Lists
- Lists in action
- Dictionaries
- Dictionaries in action
7. Tuples, Files, and Core Type Concepts
- Tuples
- Files
- Type categories revisited
- Object generality
- References versus copies
- Comparisons, equality, and truth
- Python type hierarchies
- Other built-in types
- Built-in type gotchas
8. Assignment, Expressions, and Print
- Assignment statements
- Expression statements
- Print statements
9. If Tests
- If statements
- Python syntax rules
- Truth tests
10. While and For Loops
- While loops
- Break, continue, pass, and loop else
- For loops
- Loop variations
11. Lab 2: Sequence and Flow Control Exercises
- Manipulate lists, dictionaries, and tuples
- Create decision-making logic and iterative programs
- Practice file input and output basics
Day 3 - Functions, Scope, Modules, and Packages
12. Function Basics
- Why use functions
- Coding functions
- Definition and calls
- Intersecting sequences
13. Scopes and Arguments
- Scope rules
- The global statement
- Scopes and nested functions
- Passing arguments
- Special argument matching modes
14. The Big Picture
- Why use modules
- Python program architecture
- How imports work
15. Coding Basics with Modules
- Module creation
- Module usage
- Module namespaces
- Reloading modules
16. Packages
- Package import basics
- Package import example
- Why use package imports
17. Lab 3: Build Reusable Python Modules
- Create and organize reusable functions
- Use imports and packages in a small program
- Apply scope and argument handling in modular code
Day 4 - Object-Oriented Programming with Python
18. OOP: The Big Picture
- Why use classes
- Object-oriented programming from a practical perspective
19. Class Coding Basics
- Classes generating multiple instance objects
- Classes customized by inheritance
- Classes intercepting Python operators
20. Class Coding Details
- The class statement
- Methods
- Inheritance
- Operator overloading
- Namespaces
21. Designing with Classes
- Python and OOP
- Classes as records
- Inheritance and is-a relationships
- Composition and has-a relationships
- Delegation
- Multiple inheritance
- Classes as objects
- Methods as objects
- Classes versus modules
22. Lab 4: Python OOP Design Practice
- Create classes and instance objects
- Apply inheritance and composition
- Build reusable object-based program structures
Day 5 - Exceptions, Common Tasks, and Advanced Python Directions
23. Exception Basics
- Why use exceptions
- Exception handling overview
- The try/except/else statement
- The try/finally statement
- The raise statement
- The assert statement
24. Exception Objects
- String-based exceptions
- Class-based exceptions
- General raise statement forms
25. Designing with Exceptions
- Nesting exception handlers
- Exception idioms
- Exception design tips
- Exception gotchas
- Core language summary
26. Common Tasks in Python
- Conversions, numbers, and comparisons
- Manipulating strings
- Data structure manipulations
- Manipulating files and directories
- Internet-related modules
- Executing programs
- Debugging, testing, timing, and profiling
27. Advanced Topics
- Web frameworks
- GUI frameworks
- Content management frameworks
- Further Python learning directions
28. Lab 5: Python Essentials Capstone
- Build a structured Python utility using functions, modules, and classes
- Add exception handling and file operations
- Apply common task automation techniques in a realistic exercise