Python Training Course

Who should attend

Python is the most popular language around today with many organisations using it for a wide variety of purposes from developing web sites, implementing DevOps functions to Machine Learning and Data Analysis. This course is ideal for any Software developer who wants to be able to develop modern Python applications or services.

Prerequisites

You should have some previous programming experience in another language such as Java, JavaScript, Perl, PHP, C# or C++. No previous Object-Oriented Programming is assumed but would be a bonus!

Introduction to Python

• Python Background
• Python Versions
• The Language
• Execution Model
• Running Python Programs
• REPL, python command, script, IDE
• Useful Online Resources
• Obtaining Python
• IDEs

Python Built-In Types

• Interactive Hello World
• Variables & Types
• Naming Conventions
• Comments
• Strings
• Numbers
• Boolean Values
• None Value

Flow of Control in Python

• Comparison Operators
• If statement
• Using else and elif
• Nesting if statements
• Logical Operators
• If expressions
• While Loops
• For loops
• Break and Continue

Python Containers

• Introduce collection types
• Tuples
• Lists
• Sets
• Dictionaries
• Collection constructor functions

Functions

• Defining Functions
• Zero, single and multiple parameter options
• Default parameter values and named parameters
• Returning values
• Arbitrary parameter lists
• Positional and Keyword /named parameters
• Docstring
• Anonymous Functions / Lambdas

Objects and Classes

• Everything is an Object
• What do classes do?
• Class Terminology
• Defining user defined classes
• Instantiating Objects from Classes
• Class Comments
• Defining behaviour
• Class side methods and Behaviour
• Static methods
• __new__ versus __init__

Inheritance

• What is Inheritance?
• Inheritance Terminology
• Purpose of a Subclass
• Declaring Inheritance in Python
• The Class object and Inheritance
• Overriding and Extending Methods
• Inheritance Naming Conventions
• Multiple Inheritance

Operator Overloading

• Why have Operator Overloading?
• Why not have Operator Overloading?
• Defining Operators
• Numerical Operators
• Comparison Operators
• Logical Operators

Modules, packages and Anaconda

• Modules
• Python Modules
• Importing Modules
• Using from with import
• Further Importing Techniques
• Module Properties
• Module Search Path
• Pip, Conda and Anaconda

Exception Handling

• Errors & Exceptions
• Exception types in Python
• Exception Handling
• try-except blocks
• default Exception Handler
• else Clause
• finally block
• Raising an Exception / Error
• Defining New Exceptions / Errors
• Chained Exceptions

Protocols

• Implicit Contracts
• Duck Typing
• Protocols
• Context Manager Protocol
• Polymorphism in Python
• Monkey Patching

Iterators & Iterables

• Iterables
• Iterators
• Iteration Related Methods
• Iterable Events Class
• Using Events class with a for loop
• The itertools module

Generators and Coroutines

• Generators
• Generator Functions
• Generator with a for loop
• When do yield statements execute?
• An event number Generator
• Nesting generator Functions
• Coroutines
• Coroutine Example

Python Properties

• Python Attributes
• Setter and getter style methods
• Public Interface to Properties
• Python Properties
• More Concise Property Definitions

Testing PyTest and Mocking

• Test Driven Development
• What is pytest?
• Writing tests
• Organising Tests
• Test Fixtures
• Parameterized tests
• Testing for Exceptions
• Ignoring Tests
• Mocking
• Mocking with pytest-mock

Files and Paths

• Obtaining a reference to a file
• File Access Modes
• Reading Files
• File Contents Iteration
• Writing Data to Files
• Using files and with statements
• The fileinput module
• Renaming and Deleting files
• Random Access Files
• Directories
• Temporary Files & Directories
• Paths

Monkey Patching

• What is Monkey patching?
• How does Monkey Patching work?
• Monkey Patching Example
• Adding new Data to a Class

Live, instructor-led online and on-site training

This Python course is available for private / custom delivery for your team - face-to-face, on-site at your location of choice, or remotely via MS Teams, Zoom or your own platform - get in touch to find out how we can deliver tailored training which focuses on your project requirements and learning goals.

Q: What is Python and why should I learn it?

A: Python is a versatile programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It is widely used in various domains like web development, data analysis, machine learning, and more.

Q: How do I install Python on my computer?

A: You can download the latest version of Python from the official website (python.org) and follow the installation instructions provided for your operating system.

Q: What are the basic data types in Python?

A: Python has several built-in data types, including integers, floating-point numbers, strings, lists, tuples, dictionaries, and booleans.

Q: How can I write a "Hello, World!" program in Python?

A: It's simple! Just write print("Hello, World!") and run the code. This will display the "Hello, World!" message on the output.

Q: What are Python libraries and how can I use them?

A: Python libraries are pre-written code modules that provide additional functionality. You can install libraries using tools like pip and import them into your code to leverage their features.

Q: What is the difference between a list and a tuple in Python?

A: A list is mutable, meaning you can change its elements, add new elements, or remove existing ones. In contrast, a tuple is immutable and cannot be modified after creation.

Q: How can I handle errors and exceptions in Python?

A: Python provides try-except blocks to handle exceptions. You can place your code within a try block and use except blocks to catch and handle specific types of exceptions.

Q: What is the purpose of virtual environments in Python?

A: Virtual environments allow you to create isolated Python environments for different projects. They help manage dependencies and prevent conflicts between different project requirements.

Q: How can I read data from a file in Python?

A: You can use the built-in open() function to open a file, specify the file mode (e.g., read, write), and then use methods like read(), readline(), or readlines() to retrieve the file contents.

Q: What are some popular frameworks for web development in Python?

A: Django and Flask are two widely used web frameworks in Python. Django is a full-featured framework suitable for larger projects, while Flask is a lightweight framework often used for smaller applications or APIs.

• Anaconda - a well-curated distribution that helps you install and manage Python plus a wealth of Open Source tools
• PyCharm - popular Python IDE by JetBrains
• Python extension for Visual Studio Code - Microsoft's free IDE is another popular choice for Python developers
• PyDev - another popular IDE - you can install as a standalone or as a plugin for Eclipse
• Jupyter Notebooks - comes with Anaconda but you can install it independently.
• Pip - a simple but effective command-line tool that makes it easy to obtain and install Python packages