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An Introduction to Python for Beginners

Aisha Noor
Nov 15, 2023
5 min read

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Python's user-friendly nature makes it the perfect starting point for beginners. Because Python's gentle learning curve ensures a smooth transition, you'll be able to learn to code in Python quickly, even if you switch to Python from another language.

Guido van Rossum created Python in 1991, and the Python Software Foundation further developed the language. Today, Python is a versatile, high-level programming language. So what sets Python apart? Its emphasis on code readability—which makes it a breeze to express your ideas using fewer lines of code.

Why Python?#

Python is your friendly coding companion. It works seamlessly across various platforms, such as the following: 

  • Windows

  • Mac

  • Linux

  • Raspberry Pi

What's cool about Python is its simple and English-like syntax. Using Python is like having a conversation with your computer!

Python doesn't waste time either. It runs on an interpreter system; which means you can see your code come to life as soon as you write it, making prototyping lightning fast.

You can use it in a procedural way, an object-oriented way, or even a functional way—whatever suits your style and the task at hand. It's the Swiss Army knife of programming languages!

Start Your Python Journey Now

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Learn to Code: Python for Absolute Beginners

The tools that help create a document, a movie, or a game are all programs. This course uses Python as its programming language. Python programmers are in high demand. The programs you’ll learn in this course are specially designed for learners with no programming background. You’ll start with simple math, real-world problem-solving, and writing solutions as steps in a simple language. Next, you’ll learn decision-based solutions demonstrated via flowcharts and explained with execution sheets. Finally, you’ll learn to translate your solutions into Python programs using variables, conditional statements, loops, strings, lists, and built-in functions. You’ll also learn to create your own functions in Python. Plenty of practice programs with the facility of editing and running them in an embedded way will add to your confidence. After completing this course, you can start as a Python developer. Python is used in business, web, healthcare, education, data science, scraping, embedded systems, and games.

8hrs
Beginner
4 Challenges
6 Quizzes

What is Python? #

Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, and high-level language with dynamic semantics. It is free and open source. And thanks to its built-in data structures and dynamic prowess, Python is perfect for Rapid Application Development and scripting . It's your go-to for creating web apps, orchestrating workflows, and connecting to databases. Need to crunch big data or tackle complex math? Python's got your back. It is used for crafting rock-solid, production-ready software, too. Other applications of Python include the following: 

  • Artificial intelligence

  • Natural language processing tasks

  • Development in the information security industry

  • Game Development

  • GUI-based desktop applications

Google, YouTube, Dropbox, Microsoft, Cisco, and Spotify are just some of the organizations that use Python. Some powerful features of Python include its sizable standard library, dynamic memory allocation, multiple library options, and ease of debugging. So, whether coding for fun or for a work project, you can trust Python. Now that you know what Python is used for, let's see how you should start learning.

Beginning Python #

Start by taking a look at some simple code samples. It'll benefit you if you do this before starting any tutorial. You must be familiar with the command line or terminal, IDEs (integrated development environments), and text editors to simplify Python editing. 

Python Installation#

For an optimal user experience, check if your system fulfills the following hardware and software requirements:

  • Memory: A minimum of 4 GB of RAM is advisable, but having more is advantageous, especially when dealing with extensive datasets or resource-demanding applications.

  • Storage: Ensure you have at least 5 GB of disk space for the Python installation. Allocate additional space for the libraries, packages, and project files you intend to employ.

  • Any of the following operating systems:   

    • Windows (Windows 7 and later)

    • MacOS (macOS 10.9 and later)

    • Linux (any of the distributions, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and CentOS)

Here's a generalized installation guide for Python on different operating systems:

Windows:

  1. Download the Python installer.

  2. Run the installer.

  3. Customize the installation (optional).

  4. Proceed with the installation.

  5. Verify the installation.

  6. Or, consider using the Microsoft Store for installation.

MacOS:

  1. Check your current Python version.

  2. Visit the Python website.

  3. Download the macOS installer.

  4. Run the installer and follow the instructions.

  5. Verify Python and IDLE installations.

  6. Confirm installation via Terminal.

Linux:

  1. Check for pre-installed Python.

  2. Use the Package Manager to install or update Python.

  3. If needed, download the latest Python version.

  4. Compile from source (optional).

  5. Configure the script and complete the build process.

  6. Verify the installation.

OR just skip the installation and start practicing now. Our courses offer an in-browser coding environment for a hassle-free, hands-on experience. If you need a primer to start your Python coding journey, Programming in Python is an excellent beginner course.

Python Sample Code #

Let's look at a sample of Python code to better understand Python syntax. Python coding differs from many programming languages because it uses new lines to conclude commands instead of semicolons or parentheses. It also defines the scope—including loops, functions, and classes—through indentation rather than using curly brackets.

Program to add two numbers:

num1 = 2
num2 = 3
# Add two numbers
sum = num1 + num2
# Show the sum
print('The sum of {0} and {1} is {2}'.format(num1, num2, sum))

Output: The sum of 2 and 3 is 5

Let's understand the purpose of each line.

Line 1: Creates a variable 'num1' with value 2

Line 2: Creates a variable 'num2' with value 3

Line 3: Creates a comment. Lines starting with a # symbol are considered comments. The interpreter does not process them; instead, they serve as documentation for our code.

Line 4: Creates a new variable and stores the sum of 'sum1' and 'sum2'. It is calculated through the addition operator (+)

Line 5: Creates another comment

Line 6: Uses the 'print()' function to display the sum. The message includes the values of num1, num2, and sum in a formatted way using placeholders. Placeholders indicate the positions of values that will be dynamically inserted into the string

Advantages for a Python Programmer #

Many programmers prefer Python because of its simple syntax, which makes it easy to learn to code. Here are some more reasons for you to become a Python programmer:

  • Availability of third-party modules

  • Robust support libraries like NumPy and Pandas

  • Backed by an active open-source community

  • User-friendly data structures

  • Demonstrable efficiency with clean design and robust text processing

  • IoT opportunities

Start Python Projects for Beginners Now#

Learning Python is not too challenging, and once you've got the hang of it, coding becomes much simpler and smoother. Even more remarkable is that Python's skills are versatile—you can use Python in diverse fields like artificial intelligence, information security, and game development. You can even use it to create user-friendly desktop apps. So, don't wait—dive right in! Try out some beginner Python projects to strengthen your grasp of the language, and have some fun while you're at it!

  1. Web Scraping Using Selenium in Python

  2. Develop a Chatbot Using Python, NLTK, and TensorFlow

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basics of Python?

Here are the basics of Python:

Study Python data types and operations Learn to steer your code with control flow and functions Master debugging and error handling Understand complex data types Learn object-oriented programming Know how to handle file operations Explore external code packages to expand your toolkit

What are the key features of Python?


  

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