Python Course Overview

Introduction

• Instructor: Mosh
• Course Focus: Programming in Python
• Python Applications:
  • Automation
  • AI
  • Building applications and websites
• Course Structure:
  • Core concepts of Python
  • Building three Python projects

Projects Outline

• Project 1: Website for a Grocery Store
  • Features: Product listings, admin stock management
  • Technology: Django framework
• Project 2: Machine Learning
  • Task: Predict music preferences based on user profiles
• Project 3: Automation
  • Task: Automate processing of spreadsheets

Course Audience

• Suitable for beginners
• Focus on building confidence and practical skills
• Instructor Background: Software engineer with 20 years of experience

Getting Started with Python

Installation

• Download Python: Visit Python.org and download the latest version
• Installation Tips:
  • Windows: Check "Add Python to PATH"
  • Mac: Use the installer setup
• Code Editor: PyCharm (IDE), available at JetBrains
  • Versions: Professional (Paid) and Community (Free)

First Python Program

• Writing Code: Use PyCharm to create a "Hello World" project
• Python Syntax: Example of printing a name and drawing a simple shape
• Concepts Covered:
  • Python interpreter execution flow
  • Expressions and operations

Learning Python

Timeframe

• 2 hours daily practice recommended
• 3 months to write basic programs
• 9-12 months to become job-ready in specialized areas (web development, AI)
• Job prospects: Junior developer starting salary around $50,000-$60,000

Variables

• Purpose: Storing data in memory
• Types: Integers, floats, strings, booleans
• Python is case-sensitive

User Input

• Using input() to receive input
• Example: Asking for name and favorite color

Python Basics

Strings

• Handling: Single vs. double quotes
• Multiline strings: Use triple quotes
• Accessing characters: Using indices and slices
• Operations: Concatenation, finding substrings, replacing content

Numbers

• Types: Integers and floats
• Arithmetic operations: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.
• Operator precedence and use of parentheses

Functions

• Built-in functions: len(), abs(), etc.
• Python Math Module: math for advanced operations

Python Control Structures

Conditional Statements

• if, elif, else statements for decision making
• Logical operators: and, or, not
• Comparison operators: ==, !=, >, <

Loops

• while Loop: Running code based on conditions
• for Loop: Iterating over collections, including range()

Python Data Structures

Lists

• Creating and accessing elements
• List methods: append(), remove(), sort(), etc.
• Exercise: Removing duplicates from a list

Tuples

• Immutable lists of items
• Limited methods: count(), index()

Dictionaries

• Key-value pairs
• Accessing and updating values

Python Advanced Topics

Functions and Parameters

• Defining functions with parameters
• Positional and keyword arguments

Exception Handling

• Using try and except blocks
• Handling specific exceptions

Classes

• Defining classes and methods
• Constructors and inheritance

Modules and Packages

• Organizing code in modules and packages
• Importing and using modules

Python Projects

Automation with Python

• Example project: Processing thousands of spreadsheets
• Libraries: openpyxl for Excel automation

Machine Learning

• Overview of machine learning concepts
• Libraries: numpy, pandas, matplotlib, scikit-learn
• Project example: Predicting music preferences

Web Development with Django

• Introduction to Django framework
• Project example: Building a web application

Conclusion

• Emphasis on practical application and building real-world projects
• Encouragement to explore Python further and apply it to personal projects