Learn To Code From Scratch With Python: Free Course

Learn To Code From Scratch With Python is a free beginner course that teaches programming from zero, using Python 3. It is for complete beginners who have never written code, and for anyone who tried before but never understood the building blocks that every programming language shares.

The course starts with how programming works in any language, then sets up Python and teaches variables, data types, collections, flow control, loops, functions, object-oriented programming and error handling. It ends with two projects: a snake game and an IMDB web scraper. In total it runs for about 6 hours. See the Python course page for the full list.

Who this course is for

The course is labelled Beginner. It is a good fit for:

• School and college students taking their first programming class.
• Career changers moving into IT, data or testing roles.
• Professionals in non-technical jobs who want to automate small tasks.
• Learners who know a little Python syntax but feel shaky on concepts such as functions, scope and classes.

You need no previous experience. The first part is not tied to Python, so you learn the concepts before the syntax.

What you will learn

The 35 videos fall into six themes.

1. How programming works. How To Start Coding or Programming In Any Languages and Basic Building Block Of Any Programming Language (16 minutes) explain the ideas behind every language. A short video then maps these building blocks to Python. This makes the rest of the course easier, and helps you pick up a second language later.

2. Python setup and first program. Python Overview, Setup Python and Setup Spyder Editor get your machine ready. Write And Run Your First Program gets you running code early.

3. Data. Variables In Python and Datatypes In Python (19 minutes) cover how Python stores values. Four lessons then cover the collection types: dictionaries, lists, sets and tuples. Choosing the right collection is one of the first real design decisions a programmer makes.

4. Logic and functions. Arithmetic Operators In Python, Flow controls in python (23 minutes) and Iteration looping in python (21 minutes) teach decisions and loops. Tools To Convert From Requirement To Program shows how to turn a problem statement into code. Functions In Python (29 minutes, the longest lesson) is followed by variable scoping, higher order functions with filter, map and reduce, and curried functions.

5. Object-oriented programming. Part III starts with Object Oriented Programming Concepts, then covers classes, class variables and methods, static methods, inheritance, method overriding and access modifiers. Error And Exception and a lesson on module packages complete your toolkit.

6. Projects. Project I - Snake Game and the IMDB Web Scraper Project (20 minutes) let you apply everything to working programs.

How the course is organised

The course has 35 videos and runs for about 6 hours in total. It is split into three parts:

• Part I, programming basics: the course overview and three lessons on how coding works in any language.
• Part II, core Python: setup, the first program, variables, data types, collections, operators, flow control, loops, problem solving, functions, scope, higher order functions and currying.
• Part III, object-oriented Python and projects: OOP concepts, classes, inheritance, overriding, access modifiers, exceptions, packages, then the snake game and the web scraper.

Parts II and III each open with a short overview video so you know what is coming. This is a classic course of video lessons only.

How to study it step by step

1. Do not skip Part I. The building block lessons are short, and they shape how you understand everything after them.
2. Set up Python and Spyder with the videos. Make sure your first program runs before moving on.
3. Type every example and then change it. After each data lesson, change values and predict the output before you run the code.
4. Make a small table of the four collection types. Note when you would use a dictionary, list, set or tuple.
5. Slow down on flow control, loops and functions. These three long lessons are the heart of programming. Re-watch parts of them and write small practice programs, such as a number guessing game.
6. Practise turning requirements into code. Use the method from Tools To Convert From Requirement To Program on a simple problem of your own.
7. Model something real with classes. During Part III, write classes for something familiar, such as a library or a bank account, and add inheritance.
8. Build both projects yourself. Code along with the snake game and the web scraper, then add one small feature of your own to each.

At about an hour a day, you can finish the course in two to three weeks with practice.

Where to go next

When you are comfortable with Python, try Pair Programming – Build a CLI App With Python Using GitHub Copilot to build a full app with an AI assistant, or Software Design Patterns to learn how experienced developers structure code. Come back to the Python course page any time to revisit a lesson.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Python course free?

Yes. All 35 videos are free on YouTube, and you can follow them in order on the playlist.

How long does it take to learn Python with this course?

The videos total about 6 hours. With time to practise, most beginners finish in two to three weeks at about an hour a day.

Do I need any coding experience?

No. Part I teaches the building blocks of programming without tying them to one language, and Part II then shows you how to set up Python and write your first program.

Are there projects in the course?

Yes. The course ends with two projects: a snake game and an IMDB web scraper, which bring together what you learned about data, loops, functions and classes.