This is an introduction to Python. Start with the setup lessons if the language is new to you, and practice alongside the demonstrations. You will need a computer with Python and a code editor to follow the coding exercises.
About this course
Learn the fundamentals of Python with Christopher Harrison and Susan Ibach in this free Microsoft Developer video series. The 44 short lessons combine explanations with demonstrations, so you can pause, try the code, and revisit a topic from the lesson list.
Skills you will explore
- Python
- Functions
- Loops
- APIs
- JSON
What you will learn
- Set up Python and Visual Studio Code, and write your first program.
- Work with strings, numbers, dates, and error handling.
- Use conditions, collections, loops, and functions.
- Organize code with modules, packages, and virtual environments.
- Explore APIs, JSON, managing keys, and decorators.
Who is this course for?
This is an introduction to Python. Start with the setup lessons if the language is new to you, and practice alongside the demonstrations. You will need a computer with Python and a code editor to follow the coding exercises.
How to study
Choose any lesson from the course content list. Use Previous and Next to move through the series, or search for a specific topic. Mark lessons complete to keep track of your progress in this browser. The total video time is about 4h 36m; allow extra time for practice.
Access and course materials
The videos are free to watch on YouTube. This listing is a video course and does not promise a completion certificate or Microsoft certification. The series was originally published in 2019, so software screens and external service examples may have changed.
Official Microsoft series page ↗ · Microsoft’s sample code ↗
Use this course in a learning path
- Free Python Programming Learning Path for BeginnersCourse resource in this path
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Intermediate
Compare course focus, level and study time
| Course | Level | Focus | Study time |
|---|---|---|---|
| This course — Free Python Course for Beginners by Microsoft | Beginner | Python · Functions · Loops | 4h 36m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free Simplilearn Course: Python Programming for Beginners | Beginner | Variables & Loops · Functions · Object-Oriented Python | 35h 44m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free Python Crash Course by Google | Beginner | Work with Python syntax, loops, strings, lists, and dictionaries · Explore files, regular expressions, and script execution · Understand testing, debugging, and introductory automation patterns | 17h 35m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free Intermediate Python Course: Write Better Code | Intermediate | Python · Formatting and linting · Lambda functions | 2h 23m of video; practice time is additional |
Main instruction language: English
Provider: Microsoft. Videos play from the Microsoft Developer channel on YouTube.
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