Course Description

Overview:

Python® is a versatile programming language that has many benefits for aspiring programmers and other industry professionals. Going beyond the basics of the language will help unlock significant capabilities for optimizing development time and incorporating robust program logic.

In this course, you will apply intermediate-level concepts and skills associated with Python 3, including object-oriented programming, modules and packages, string manipulation, input/output operations, and more.

Course Objectives:

In this course, you will employ Python skills at an intermediate level. You will:

• Perform input/output operations.
• Handle strings.
• Use an object-oriented approach to developing Python applications.
• Streamline code logic and scope.
• Work with modules and packages.
• Handle exceptions.

Target Student:

This course is designed for students who have a foundational competence in Python and want to continue developing important skills for programming efficiently in the language.

This course is also designed to assist students in preparing for the Python Institute's PCAP™ – Certified Associated in Python Programming (PCAP-31-03) credential.

Prerequisites:

To ensure your success in this course, you should have knowledge of Python basics, including syntax, data types, data structures, conditional statements, loops, functions, and basic exception handling. You should also be fairly comfortable writing simple Python code.

You can obtain this level of skills and knowledge by taking the Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP™) course from Logical Operations.

Course-Specific Technical Requirements

Hardware:

For this course, you will need one computer for each student and one for the instructor. Each computer will need the following minimum hardware configurations:

• 2 gigahertz (GHz) 64-bit (x64) processor that supports the VT-x or AMD-V virtualization instruction set and Second Level Address Translation (SLAT).
• 8 gigabytes (GB) of random-access memory (RAM).
• 20 GB available storage space.
• Mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
• High-speed, stable Internet connection.
• For the instructor's computer, a method to project and/or share the screen as needed for local and remote class participants.

Software:

• Microsoft® Windows® 10 or 11 64-bit.
• Oracle® VM VirtualBox version 7.0.6 (VirtualBox-7.0.6-155176-Win.exe).
  

  VirtualBox is distributed with the course data files under version 2 of the GNU General Public License (GPL).

• If necessary, software for viewing the course slides. (Instructor machine only.)

NOTE: While it is possible to run VirtualBox on other operating systems, this course was written and tested using Windows 11. If your classroom computers will use a different operating system, it is highly recommended that you install and test VirtualBox and the course VM on the computers to make sure you can key through the course successfully before delivering a class.

NOTE: The Linux operating system is already installed on the VM that will be loaded in VirtualBox. Specifically, this VM runs the Lubuntu 22.04 ("Jammy Jellyfish") distribution.

NOTE: The system on the VM is configured to log the user in automatically. If you or your students are prompted at any time to log in, the account is named student and the password is Pa22w0rd.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Performing Input/Output Operations

Topic A: Output Data to Files

Topic B: Input Data from Files

Lesson 2: Handling Strings

Topic A: Work with Character Encodings

Topic B: Operate on Strings

Lesson 3: Using an Object-Oriented Approach

Topic A: Implement Object-Oriented Programming

Topic B: Define and Instantiate Classes

Topic C: Work with Class Inheritance

Lesson 4: Streamlining Code Logic and Scope

Topic A: Perform List Comprehensions

Topic B: Use Lambda Functions

Topic C: Use Closures

Lesson 5: Working with Modules and Packages

Topic A: Import and Use Modules

Topic B: Work with Built-In Python Modules

Topic C: Create Custom Modules and Packages

Lesson 6: Handling Exceptions

Topic A: Work with Built-In Exceptions

Topic B: Work with Custom Exceptions

Appendix A: Mapping Course Content to PCAP™ – Certified Associate in Python Programming (Exam PCAP-31-03)