For absolute beginners

Welcome to Python Basics 👋

Python is one of the friendliest programming languages to learn — clean syntax, huge community, and used everywhere from web apps to data science. This short course walks you through the essentials, one bite-sized lesson at a time.

How to use this site Read each lesson in order. Type the code examples into your own Python (don't just copy and paste!) — the tiny act of typing helps your brain learn the patterns.

What you'll learn

By the end you'll be comfortable writing small Python scripts: variables, decisions, loops, lists, dictionaries, and your own reusable functions.

1

Getting Started

Install Python, run your first script, say hello to the world.

 2

Variables & Types

Store values: text, numbers, booleans, and the elusive None.

 3

Input & Operators

Talk to the user, do maths, and build readable strings with f-strings.

 4

Conditionals

Make decisions in code with if, elif and else.

 5

Loops

Repeat work with for and while loops.

 6

Lists & Dictionaries

The two collections you'll reach for again and again.

 7

Functions

Bundle code into reusable, named blocks.

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Next Steps

Where to go after the basics — books, sites, and project ideas.

Why Python?

Python reads almost like English. It's the language taught in most universities, the language behind sites like Instagram and Spotify's data tooling, and the de-facto language for data science, AI, and automation. Whatever you eventually want to build — a script that tidies your spreadsheets, a small web app, a game — Python is a great place to start.