• Online, Self-Paced
Course Description

Python has a unique culture and community that has built up around it and that value its core philosophy, expressed as a series of aphorisms, and available at a few key presses from any Python installation. In this course, you'll learn the basics of Python and its philosophy, setting up Python, and writing a basic program with built-in data types, loops and conditionals.

Learning Objectives

Setting Up

  • start the course
  • describe the features of the Python programming language and how and where it is used
  • describe the philosophy of Python
  • recognize reasons to choose one version of Python over the other
  • install Python 3 on Windows
  • install Python 3 on Mac OS X and Linux
  • evaluate the major IDEs available for Python

A Basic Program

  • use whitespace to lay out a Python program into functional code blocks
  • recognize the Python REPL read, evaluate, print loop
  • create and execute a "Hello World" application with Python
  • get and manipulate user input from the command line with Python
  • create a module and import a module in Python

Data Types

  • use the int data type in Python and recognize its characteristics
  • use the float data type in Python and recognize its characteristics
  • perform basic math functions, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and use the Math module
  • use the bool data type in Python and recognize its characteristics

Sequence Types

  • describe sequence types and use the str type in Python
  • use the bytes type in Python
  • use the bytearray type in Python
  • use the list type in Python
  • use the tuple type in Python
  • use slicing on sequence types in Python

Collection and Mapping Types in Python

  • use the range function and work with range objects in Python
  • use the set type in Python and describe its characteristics
  • use the dict type in Python and describe its properties

Loops and Conditionals

  • construct a while loop in Python
  • construct a for loop in Python
  • use the if statement in Python to control program flow

Practice: Writing a Python Program

  • write a Python program to reverse user input

Framework Connections

The materials within this course focus on the Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs) identified within the Specialty Areas listed below. Click to view Specialty Area details within the interactive National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework.