Course: The programming language Python

This training is OS platform-independent

The course The programming language Python covers the essential aspects of programming in Python. You'll learn the syntax of the language and how to use the extensive standard Python library so you do not have to reinvent the wheel yourself. In addition, subjects like programming constructs, data types and object-oriented programming style are addressed. These topics are, under the guidance of the instructor, trained extensively with practical lab exercises.

After this course you can soon write complex Python programs on your own or with others in larger projects. Read more >>>

Target audience

This course is meant for experienced programmers who want to learn the syntax and characteristics of the Python programming language.

Duration and cost

This is a three day course.

Price in 2012: € 1,295.- plus 19% VAT p.p;

Scheduled dates

This course is part of our regular programme. For the courses that are mentioned below, the course material is in English and the teaching language will be English unless the attendants prefer the Dutch language unanimously.

This course will be scheduled by request only, or as an in-company training. Our course administration maintains a waiting list of interested individuals. Joining that list is without obligation whatsoever.

Detailed information about this course

Groundbreaking in all aspects

Python is a programming language that can be deployed on many fronts. Early 90's, the Dutchman Guido van Rossum built Python on the foundations of the language ABC that was developed in the 80's at the CWI (Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science) in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, Python is no longer just a Dutch affair: Python is a language that is used worldwide for major software projects.

Python is used in many places in scripts for automating system management tasks, and as a convenient language for building portable graphical user interfaces and web applications. Also the installation programs of many Linux distributions, including RedHat, are built with Python.

Python distinguishes itself from other (scripting) languages because it has been designed already as an object oriented language. In addition, the language has a large standard library that you use as a foundation to build your owm implementations. Therefore Python is very suitable to quickly build new applications (Rapid Application Development).

Prerequisite knowledge

To follow the course programming experience is required with other languages. It does not matter whether you have gained experience with a compiled language (like C, Pascal or Java) or a scripting language (shell, awk). It is especially important that you are able to tackle a task at an algorithmic level.
Practical experience with object-oriented language is not necessary, but is certainly a plus.

Technical content of the course

The course covers:

Introduction: positioning, characteristics, applications, usage, scripting.
Elementary data types: various data types of Python and their properties, expressions.
Program structures: indentation as block structure, statements that influence the control flow.
Compound data structures of Python: lists, tuples, dictionaries, files, difference between lists and tuples.
Details about data types: Python as dynamically typed language, the reference model, methods (functions) that are related to (object) type.
Functions: design of functions, docstrings, passing arguments, return value, functions as argument, scope rules, generators.
Modules: reasons for building modules, the use of modules, creation of modules, test code for modules.
Object orientation and classes: OO-terminology, classes in Python, class construction, inheritance, polymorfism, special class methods, operator overloading, old-style classes versus new-style classes, inheritance of built-in types.
Exceptions: the EAFP motto (Easier to Ask for Forgiveness than Permission), exception classes, catch exceptions, own exception classes.
Overview of standard library: interaction with operating system, regular expressions, network facilities, etc.

Documentation

Course attendees receive the following documentation:

A student pack with copies of the presentations, lab exercises and answers to the exercises.
The book Learning Python (covering both Python 2 and 3.x)

Certificate

Shortly after the course the student will receive a certificate as a proof of participation.