Build practical programming and technology skills

Python Fundamentals

Build, test, and debug useful Python programs with clear control flow, reusable functions, structured data, files, exceptions, packages, and classes.

View curriculum

FoundationDifficulty

30 hoursEstimated time

8 modules32 lessons

5 guided labsKnowledge check

Plan your learning

Path Brief

Skills you will practice

Python · Python Fundamentals
Python · Install And Run Python
Python · Values Variables And Types
Python · Conditions And Loops
Python · Functions And Scope
Python · Lists Dictionaries Sets And Tuples

Prerequisites

No prior experience is required; basic computer and file-management skills are helpful.

Tools

A current web browser
A code editor or terminal appropriate to the path
A safe local or virtual lab environment

Before you begin

What you need

No prior experience is required; basic computer and file-management skills are helpful.

Step-by-step curriculum

Learning modules

Complete lessons in order or open the module that matches your current goal. Your lesson progress is saved on this device.

01Install and Run PythonBuild practical skill in install and run python and connect it to the outcomes of Python Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Install Python 3 on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Choose a Python 3 installation method for your operating system and understand the python, python3, and py commands.

25 min

Lesson 2

Verify Python, pip, and the Python Launcher

Check the active Python interpreter and pip installation before you add dependencies or create a project.

25 min

Lesson 3

Create a Python Virtual Environment and Run a Script

Create a project folder, make a venv environment, activate it, and run a Python script from the terminal.

30 min

Lesson 4

Fix Python PATH and Command Errors

Diagnose python is not recognized, command-not-found, wrong-interpreter, and pip path problems on common operating systems.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Safe

Guided Lab: Install and Run Python in Python Fundamentals

Python Fundamentals — Install and Run Python lab: Install or verify Python, create a virtual environment, run a small script from the terminal, deactivate the environment, then reactivate it and rerun the same script.

Not started

02Values, Variables, and TypesBuild practical skill in values, variables, and types and connect it to the outcomes of Python Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Values, Variables, and Types: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Values, Variables, and Types in Python Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Values, Variables, and Types in Python Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Values, Variables, and Types safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Values, Variables, and Types Example in Python Fundamentals

Represent a small order or profile using appropriate types, then validate or convert input from text.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Values, Variables, and Types Problems in Python Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Values, Variables, and Types, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Values, Variables, and Types in Python Fundamentals

Python Fundamentals — Values, Variables, and Types lab: Represent a small order or profile using appropriate types, then validate or convert input from text.

Not started

03Conditions and LoopsBuild practical skill in conditions and loops and connect it to the outcomes of Python Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Conditions and Loops: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Conditions and Loops in Python Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Conditions and Loops in Python Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Conditions and Loops safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Conditions and Loops Example in Python Fundamentals

Process a small list, select values that meet a condition, and stop or continue based on a clear rule.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Conditions and Loops Problems in Python Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Conditions and Loops, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Conditions and Loops in Python Fundamentals

Python Fundamentals — Conditions and Loops lab: Process a small list, select values that meet a condition, and stop or continue based on a clear rule.

Not started

04Functions and ScopeBuild practical skill in functions and scope and connect it to the outcomes of Python Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Functions and Scope: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Functions and Scope in Python Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Functions and Scope in Python Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Functions and Scope safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Functions and Scope Example in Python Fundamentals

Extract repeated logic into a function, call it with several inputs, and test one boundary case.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Functions and Scope Problems in Python Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Functions and Scope, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Functions and Scope in Python Fundamentals

Python Fundamentals — Functions and Scope lab: Extract repeated logic into a function, call it with several inputs, and test one boundary case.

Not started

05Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and TuplesBuild practical skill in lists, dictionaries, sets, and tuples and connect it to the outcomes of Python Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples in Python Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples in Python Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples Example in Python Fundamentals

Store a small dataset in an appropriate collection, update it, search it, and explain why the chosen structure fits.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples Problems in Python Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples in Python Fundamentals

Python Fundamentals — Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples lab: Store a small dataset in an appropriate collection, update it, search it, and explain why the chosen structure fits.

Not started

06Files, Exceptions, and Context ManagersBuild practical skill in files, exceptions, and context managers and connect it to the outcomes of Python Fundamentals.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers in Python Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers in Python Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers Example in Python Fundamentals

Read a small text or JSON file, transform one value, write a new output file, and handle a missing input.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers Problems in Python Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

07Modules, Packages, and Virtual EnvironmentsBuild practical skill in modules, packages, and virtual environments and connect it to the outcomes of Python Fundamentals.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments in Python Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments in Python Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments Example in Python Fundamentals

Create a new project, add one source file and one dependency if appropriate, run it, and document the commands another learner needs.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments Problems in Python Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

08Classes, Testing, and Program OrganizationBuild practical skill in classes, testing, and program organization and connect it to the outcomes of Python Fundamentals.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Classes, Testing, and Program Organization: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Classes, Testing, and Program Organization in Python Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Classes, Testing, and Program Organization in Python Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Classes, Testing, and Program Organization safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Classes, Testing, and Program Organization Example in Python Fundamentals

Write a small test suite for one function, service, route, or component with success and failure cases.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Classes, Testing, and Program Organization Problems in Python Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Classes, Testing, and Program Organization, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Portfolio integration

Capstone Project

Build a Command-Line Personal Records Manager

Combine the path skills in a portfolio-ready project with clear functional requirements, tests, verification evidence, and operating notes.

GuidedIndependentPortfolio

Acceptance criteria

The core workflow works from start to finish.
Invalid input or failure states are handled clearly.
The result is tested and documented.
A reviewer can reproduce the setup and verification.

Continue in Programming

Related Programming

Skill assessment

Python Fundamentals

Path Brief

Skills you will practice

Prerequisites

Tools

What you need

Learning modules

Install Python 3 on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Verify Python, pip, and the Python Launcher

Create a Python Virtual Environment and Run a Script

Fix Python PATH and Command Errors

Guided Lab: Install and Run Python in Python Fundamentals

Values, Variables, and Types: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Values, Variables, and Types in Python Fundamentals

Build a Practical Values, Variables, and Types Example in Python Fundamentals

Debug Common Values, Variables, and Types Problems in Python Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Values, Variables, and Types in Python Fundamentals

Conditions and Loops: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Conditions and Loops in Python Fundamentals

Build a Practical Conditions and Loops Example in Python Fundamentals

Debug Common Conditions and Loops Problems in Python Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Conditions and Loops in Python Fundamentals

Functions and Scope: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Functions and Scope in Python Fundamentals

Build a Practical Functions and Scope Example in Python Fundamentals

Debug Common Functions and Scope Problems in Python Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Functions and Scope in Python Fundamentals

Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples in Python Fundamentals

Build a Practical Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples Example in Python Fundamentals

Debug Common Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples Problems in Python Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Lists, Dictionaries, Sets, and Tuples in Python Fundamentals

Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers in Python Fundamentals

Build a Practical Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers Example in Python Fundamentals

Debug Common Files, Exceptions, and Context Managers Problems in Python Fundamentals

Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments in Python Fundamentals

Build a Practical Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments Example in Python Fundamentals

Debug Common Modules, Packages, and Virtual Environments Problems in Python Fundamentals

Classes, Testing, and Program Organization: Core Concepts for Python Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Classes, Testing, and Program Organization in Python Fundamentals

Build a Practical Classes, Testing, and Program Organization Example in Python Fundamentals

Debug Common Classes, Testing, and Program Organization Problems in Python Fundamentals

Capstone Project

Build a Command-Line Personal Records Manager

Acceptance criteria

Test your understanding

Related Programming

Check your starting point

Plan the capstone

Explore related paths