CBT Nuggets - Python Programming Python Language : On-the-job Training

If you're interested in learning how to write computer programs, you'll love this training. It's perfect for desktop/web application developers who need an intro course in Python, for systems administrators who are interested in using Python for automation and for anyone interested in a programming career.

By the time you're done watching, you'll be ready to develop Python automation scripts, desktop apps, and/or Web apps.
You'll also have a thorough knowledge of how to use Python on all major platforms and a healthy jumpstart for learning other programming languages (like Java, Perl, C and Ruby).

Content:

Course Introduction 00:42:49
How This Course Works. What You Need to Get Started. What is Python? In this nugget we provide a high-level overview on how this course works. We also cover why Python is and what tools you need in order to practice your skills along with the training.

Introduction to Python 00:44:57
Installing Python. Using IDLE. Running Python Programs. In this nugget we learn how to obtain, install, and configure CPython. Next, we introduce the IDLE integrated development environment (IDE). Finally, we present a quick-start on the myriad ways in which Python programs can be run on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Data Types, Part I 00:46:07
Introduction to Data Types. Numbers. Strings. In this nugget we introduce data types in Python: what they are, why they are essential, and how to implement them in our Python code. We then commence our data type deep-dive by considering the number and string types.

Data Types, Part II 00:34:49
Lists. Tuples. Dictionaries. In this nugget we continue our consideration of Python data types by discussing lists, tuples, and dictionaries. These so-called data structures allow you to store increasingly complex arrays of data into names (variables), with which you can perform operations.

Statements, Documentation, and Help 00:44:54
Python Statements. Rules for Variables. Comments and Docstrings. Online Help. In this nugget we examine Python syntax and rules for Python names. We spend some time on the important subject of documentation and Python docstrings, and finish the lesson up with a demo on how to employ Python online help to best effect.

Strings, Revisited 00:26:13
Advanced String Methods. String Formatting. Obtaining Keyboard Input.In this nugget we revisit the string data type, building upon the foundation we established during an earlier nugget. Here we cover advanced string methods, string formatting, and how to use the input() function to obtain keyboard input from the user.

Control Flow, Part I 00:27:57
Decision Making with the if Statement. Boolean Logic. Break and Continue. In this nugget we big to add various forms of logic to our Python code. Specifically, we learn how to use the if statement to conduct decision making, Boolean logic to institute true vs. false arguments, and the break and continue statements to control flow through looping constructs.

Control Flow, Part II 00:25:36
Counting with For Loops. Evaluating with While Loops. In this nugget we continue our trolley ride through implementing conditional logic and control flow in Python. Here we learn to count with for loops and evaluate conditions with the while loop.

Data Structures, Revisited 00:32:00
Counting with For Loops. Evaluating with While Loops. In this nugget we continue our trolley ride through implementing conditional logic and control flow in Python. Here we learn to count with for loops and evaluate conditions with the while loop.

Functions 00:50:25
Components of a Function. Calling Functions. Return Values. In this nugget we begin to consider functions, which lie at the heart of a procedural programming language like Python. We will learn how functions work, how to write them, and how to manage return values.

File Handling 00:44:47
Accessing the File System. Reading and Writing Files. In this nugget we turn our attention to how we can program Python to access the host operating system and file system. We will also learn how to create, edit, and manage files by using Python code.

Accessing the Network and Internet 00:35:43
Accessing LAN Resources. Interacting with Web Pages. Connecting to FTP Sites. Continuing the theme begun in the previous nugget, in this nugget we discover how to fetch Web content by using Python. We will also review the basics of Python-based File Transfer Protocol (FTP) access.

Exception Handling 00:37:39
Understanding Exceptions. Raising and Catching Exceptions. In this nugget we understand what exceptions are and specifically how we can catch and manage these exceptions in our Python programs.

Modular Programming 00:37:45
Using Modules. The Module Search Path. Python Packages. In this nugget we formally consider multi-file Python programming. In particular, we understand what modules are, how to import them, and how to manage the Python module search path. Finally, we provide an overview on how multi-file Python programs can be bundled into packages for easier distribution.

Object-Oriented Programming 00:30:36
OOP Principles. Creating and Using Classes. Python is a multi-paradigm programming language. In this nugget we formally introduce Python's object-oriented programming (OOP) features. We undertake a general overview of OOP terminology, and then learn the mechanics of creating and using classes.

Advanced Topics 00:18:52
Generators. Decorators. In this nugget we take a look at some topics that require some previous experience with Python--experience that you now have! In particular, we learn how to use generators as well as decorators to produce faster, more memory efficient Python code.

GUI Development 00:22:53
Python and Database Access 00:22:17
Database Access Frameworks. Interacting with sqlite. In this nugget we "stretch" Python to the realm of relational database management systems (RDBMSs). We first cover the basic mechanics of Python-RDBMS communications. Next, we learn how to program Python to interact with the built-in sqlite RDBMS.

Porting Python Code 00:16:24
Python 2 vs Python 3. Using the 2to3 Utility. In this nugget we learn how to port Python 2 code to Python 3. This skill is particularly important when we recall that the majority of downloadable code on the Internet (as well as many popular Python-based frameworks) are written in Python 2.x. During the course of this nugget we will gain familiarity with the 2to3 Python script, which is the built-in Python 3 utility for performing an "automatic" code conversion.

Python Frameworks and IDEs 00:23:37
Web Application Frameworks. Python IDEs. In this nugget we provide a survey of the most powerful Python-based Web application frameworks. We conclude the training with another survey, this time examining the major Python integrated development environments (IDEs).