Introduction to Python Programming
So, recently, I talked to one of my colleagues in my office about Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner stuff. He is a C and Java developer. He informed me how Java had captured the world and is used everywhere. Since I love Python Programming to the core though I am not a Python freak, I just told him that Certification in Python Programming is not way behind. But I ignored the fact that Java is more common these days.
So I was not satisfied with the debate I had. I have been developing programs for Python for a long time, and the one thing I know for sure is that Python Programming basics are ‘n’ times easier than Java. However, people coding in Java would start arguing about portability. But I would tend to ignore them, however. So, the point I will be talking about today is how this language is more valuable and handy, especially how it is helpful to get started for beginners. So welcome to the guide to Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner.
Why should you Start Python Programming?
So first things first, why start with this language for the Absolute Beginner? Is Python Programming language a good start for beginners? You may have heard people starting with C as the basics. C is good. It’s better than Python, but only if you have a good programming background or at least know the basics of this language. But as an absolute beginner? I don’t think so. I started with C, but after 15 days of learning, and when I say 15 days, I mean 1 day=16 hours of practice.
When I began learning C, I struggled with pointers. It was too difficult to understand (at that point in time). I came from a hardware background; trust me, it was difficult. So, since I had no guidance, I made the mistake of switching to learning Java. And again, I realized that Java is even more challenging than C. So, I felt confused and frustrated and decided to seek help from online communities such as stackoverflow.com and GitHub since I didn’t have a good guide.
I started with C, and then later Java because of a few random people who did learn Java, and C gave me the idea stating that Java and C are more widely used and it’s one of the easiest programming languages. I wish I could meet that person to show him exactly what it meant to be a beginner.
Nevertheless, these web programming communities and Ubuntu forums provided me with enormous help, and I discovered the existence of a language called Python Programming, which I had never heard of. I Googled a lot for 6-7 days, then realized this is what I have been looking for my whole time. This language has a diverse and large community. It’s fully open-source, meaning anyone can do whatever they want. Besides, what I learned in C in those 15 days, I covered everything in Introduction to Python Programming basics in just 3-4 days. Again, Python programming basics were so attractive as a beginner that I didn’t realize I had covered so many topics until the 10th day of learning.
Python Programming Beginners Code – “Hello World” Example
Following is an example of printing “Hello World” in C, C++, and Java:
C Code:
#include<stdio.h>
main()
{
printf(“Hello World”);
}C++ Code:
#include<iostream.h>
main()
{
cout << “Hello World”;
return 0;
}Java Programming:
Code:
public class HelloWorld {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Hello World!");
}
}Python Programming Language:
Code:
print(“Hello World”)Output:
Yes. I have written commands here to output the same thing to print “Hello World” on the screen, but as you can see, the syntaxes (or commands to be more specific for a beginner) in C, C++, and Java need explanation, whereas the one in Python Programming does not.
Even a person without any basic knowledge of computers can understand that it prints Hello World. Yes, and that’s how easy this training is.
Basics
So before we proceed to the higher stuff, let’s get through the basics for the Absolute Beginner. The first thing you need to understand as a beginner and the mindset you need to start for this training is that you will never have the proper answer for whatever you code. Once you have the necessary knowledge, you may feel the need to write some of your automated programs, and you may also succeed.
However, most of the time, you may feel that the programs written are not that fast or slower than what you write in some other languages. For example, a program written in C will be ten times faster than Python programming. But that doesn’t mean this language is slow. It just means you need to find a way to make it faster. It will never be as fast as C, but it will be less time-consuming than writing and compiling a C or Java program. Besides, it’s easier to debug someone else’s program in Python since the syntaxes are easier to understand than to read a program without comments in C or Java.
Also, remember never to compare two distinct languages when learning. You may say that I am speaking irony since I reached C Programming with Python Programming, but I did state Certification in Python Programming is suitable for the absolute Beginner. Of course, C has its own set of advantages and backlashes, and similarly does Python programming. But for a complete beginner, this training is the choice. Let’s check some real-life applications of Python.
Where are the Basics of Python Programming Language used?
Image source: pixabay.com
As for any official answer, I would suggest you take a look at the official Python website:
To explain it in simple words, this language is used almost everywhere. Google used a Python programming language in its database management for a long time before it switched to C. Developers use Python programming extensively to automate web-related apps, especially in maths, science, and robotics. If you have an undivided interest in this training, then once you learn it, I recommend you look at Raspberry Pi and the Arduino chip. It’s an extremely capable microprocessor to work hand-in-hand.
Besides, let alone the fact that there is no beat to Python’s Django Framework for web development. For Certification in Python programming for absolute beginners, once you get the basics of Python Programming training, you can even look at Django, a framework built on Python to develop the web related to apps. Some famous sites built on Django would be social networking sites like Instagram and Pinterest or community sites like Mozilla Support, Reddit gifts, and gaming sites like Chess.com, which has a legacy in the Chess game.
In addition to web development, people use the basics of the Python programming language for embedded scripting, 3D software such as Maya and Quantum GIS, and many other purposes. These things prove that though Python Programming training is not known for being used in high-end performance applications since it is not, it is still the people’s choice to do a lot of other work. Now we know what Python Programming training is capable of,
Python Programming – Pre-requisites
Frankly speaking, there are no specific prerequisites for an introduction to Python programming. Python is such an easy language that it’s primarily people’s primary or Beginner choice of learning, which makes itself the pre-requisite for learning anything else.
But this makes Basic Python Programming training a bit too overwhelming. Suppose you tend to keep your mind straight when learning which mostly doesn’t happen, then there is no issue in learning Python as a primary language. I mean by keeping the mind straight because usually, when people know Python, they get too used to the simplicity of Python since they are just beginning to learn Python programming language.
Python developers can code enormous amounts of code in a decently simplified manner. But if you want to go beyond Certification in Python programming and learn other languages after that, such as Java, C, Scala, or Haskell, then this may become an obstacle. People tend to find C and Java-like languages irritating after becoming accustomed to Python because of the coding complexity. Especially the pointers and the vast libraries will go over and above a beginner’s head.
So, my point is, if you plan to further your career in just languages like Python, Ruby, or Perl, then there is no problem in pursuing Certification in Python Programming as an absolute beginner. But if you want to be a multi-discipline ninja in programming, then I would recommend you to learn C or Java first and then learn Python because that way, you would learn C and Java the hard way, and since you know how to code, learning Python Programming language will be a Piece of Cake.
Python vs The World
So, now we are wise and know how Python and C work. We already saw how Python could be used in the outer real world. But let’s look at how it can also affect our daily lives. Python is beneficial when it comes to automation. For example, let’s say you have a lot of social accounts and you have a lot of passwords. Since programmers are paranoid, we keep different passwords for every other Website account.
But who has the time to remember all this stuff? Even if we try to study it, we still have to remember which ones we changed and similar stuff once we changed a password. So, usually, people write it down on a piece of paper or at least tech freak people like me use a notepad application on their cell and laptop. But still, if someone gets their hand on them, it is risky. There are other methods to buy a password saver, but is it worth it? Yes, and here is where Python comes in between. I had a similar issue and stumbled on something while learning Python’s dictionary and conditions.
Since it would be hard for you to understand if you are a beginner for Certification in Python Programming, I would write pseudo codes here to make it understandable. Now, Python has dictionaries and conditions. Conditions use if, if, and else to complete a statement.
It goes something like this:
Code:
if I don't go to work;
make me a coffee.
else
don't;Output:
Now you get my point? Yup, that was pseudocode, which means I could also do something like this:
Code:
if password=iamsmart
proceed to step two
else
print “invalid password.”As soon as I start my notepad file made in Python, it will ask me to enter a password; if I enter it, it will allow access, or else it won’t. And I combined this with dictionaries. Dictionaries can be used to call out other stuff stored inside. A good example would be a virtual telephone book. For instance, in a pseudo-world, it would go like this:
Code:
Book = { Adam : { phone :1234, address: RoomNo.1},
Eve : { phone : 5678, address: RoomNo.2},
Smith : { phone : 9012, address: RoomNo.3} }Now, this is called a pseudo dictionary. The Book is the dictionary here, containing contents in the form of Adam, Eve, and Smith. When I reach for the dictionary, it asks me to enter a name. When I enter a word, it will give me its contents, i.e., the phone no. and the address. This is how a dictionary works in Python Programming training. So, I changed the name to websites and phone numbers to passwords. And not only did I do that, but I also added the if-else condition to it, after which it looked like this:
Code:
if password=iamsmart
proceed to step two
else
print “invalid password.”
LockBox = { Gmail : { [email protected] },
Facebook : { [email protected] },
Instagram : { [email protected] } }I also did a bit more modifications, but as far as you are concerned, this is extremely good as an absolute beginner in Python programming. Now, whenever I wanted to log in from someone else’s computer, cell phone, or workplace, I would save this small Python file converted into an executable with the help of py2exe on my pen drive. So, it asks for a password; if it is correct, it then asks which password you want to check, or it kicks me out.
Later, I added some PGP encryption to this stuff to make it more secure. But now you know what it means to learn Python. It is not only a simple language to learn but also practical. If you want to become an extreme programmer, I would recommend learning C or Java and then Python Programming language, if you are just a beginner like I was and want to do some cool automation as a hobby. There is nothing better than doing Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner. We discuss why you should learn Python programming, its beginners’ codes, and the “hello world” example. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
