Python for Beginners: Top 5 Sites to Learn from Scratch
Python is a popular and highly sought-after general-purpose programming language used for a wide range of tasks, including web development, data analysis, AI, and scientific computing. It has a simple syntax and is flexible and scalable, making it an excellent choice for beginners. The language also boasts an active global community and a rich set of tools and libraries, which has led to its use by top IT companies worldwide. To help you learn Python, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 courses from reputable online educational sites. You only need to choose one and start your learning journey.
Content
Why learn Python?
Python is an easy-to-learn and popular programming language that is often associated with:
- a relatively simple syntax that is also strict,
- high popularity and wide use across various projects,
- a standard library that includes tools for working with email, internet protocols, and databases,
- a wide range of available development environments, services, frameworks, and
- high demand for Python developers in the job market.
However, if you’re not familiar with Python’s syntax, it may seem unfamiliar at first. Python is used by major corporations such as Google, Dropbox, Mozilla, Facebook, Yandex, Red Hat, Microsoft, Intel, and many others to create their products.
Skillshare
- The content is great for beginners.
- An excellent introduction to Python is provided to learners.
- The courses are very insightful.
Skillshare offers several Python courses for beginners, but the most comprehensive one is Programming in Python for Beginners. This course is designed for complete beginners in programming, and the instructor will help set up a Python development environment on Windows before diving into the main language constructs and when to use them.
The course covers 70+ lessons in 11 hours, including arithmetic, operators, data types, functions, errors, and more. Exercises are provided to reinforce learning, and the instructor offers feedback and support to students.
The Skillshare player enables you to adjust the playback speed and take notes, but unfortunately, it doesn’t offer subtitles. Skillshare provides a free trial period that allows you to take any course. After that, you need to pay $8/month or $2/month with an annual subscription to access the platform library. Skillshare also offers a mobile application, and you can download the course in its entirety to view offline at any time.
Udemy
- The courses are suitable for advanced learners.
- Programmers will highly likely love it.
- The themed course contains a wide range of material, with over 250 videos.
- Learners are offered comprehensive teaching of app development.
Udemy also offers a large selection of very smart courses. For those who already know the language a little, The Python Mega Course: Build 10 Real World Applications is the perfect option. This course covers the development of 10 mobile, desktop, and web applications in Python that are really applicable in practice. These applications range from recognizing moving objects through a webcam and working with databases to a dashboard for data visualization.
The syllabus of this course contains 33 sections, including over 250 videos. The first eight sections are devoted to the basics of Python, and four more to more advanced topics. The rest of the material focuses on creating 10 applications, with one or two sections reserved for the consideration of important components of the subsequent appendix. Exercises and small tests are attached to the video lessons, and you can ask questions to the lecturer. The Visual Studio Code editor is used.
Udemy provides lifetime access to courses with free updates, and their built-in video player has features like speed adjustment and subtitles in over 10 languages. Auto-scrolling scripts and a mobile app for lecture downloads are also available.
LinkedIn Learning
- The platform is great for corporate learners.
- The courses are fast to complete.
- Good explanations are provided.
- An introduction to programming is included.
LinkedIn Learning offers various professional development courses, including Advance your career with Python. This course is ideal for those short on time who want to quickly learn Python basics using the Anaconda distribution and Jupyter Notebook. Unlike other introductory courses, the instructor explains the construction and its usage before diving into writing code, and the course concludes with a brief overview of object-oriented programming.
The video player allows subtitles and video tutorial scripts. A monthly subscription costs $29.99 or $19.99 if you commit to a year, with the first month free.
Coursera
- The content is designed for computer science learners.
- It helps improve Python skills.
- An introduction to computer science is provided.
- Video content is accompanied by subtitles and scripts.
Coursera is a popular online platform that offers Principles of Computing, a two-part course that’s ideal for those looking to develop their Python programming skills. This course is part of a set of seven Fundamentals of Computing Specialization courses that cover the basics of computer computing. Over several weeks, the course includes multiple video lectures, reading materials, practical exercises, homework, and tests.
Taught by three experienced CS teachers, the course aims to help learners improve their Python skills and develop a professional mindset. Topics covered include computational processes, programming, mathematical principles, and writing high-quality code, all essential skills needed to solve complex problems.
The course features a video player with subtitles and scripts, allowing learners to take notes while watching lectures. They can also download the videos in MP4 format, along with the scripts and subtitles. While the course is free to take, those who want to get certified will need to subscribe, with prices ranging from $39 to $89 per month.
edX
- The course focuses on learners interested in data science.
- Self-paced learning is provided.
- The course provides coverage of data analysis.
- Learners receive an introduction to popular libraries.
- It is not recommended for beginners.
edX is another online learning platform that offers many free courses, including IBM’s Analyzing Data with Python course. It is designed for learners who have some prior experience in Python programming and an interest in data science.
The course covers topics such as data manipulation using Python and popular data analysis libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, SciPy, and scikit-learn. It is divided into five modules, each with quizzes and laboratory work.
The course is self-paced and recommended to be completed over five weeks, with a suggested pace of 2-4 hours per week. To obtain a certificate and continued access to the course material, a fee of $39 is required. It is not recommended for beginners.
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