Core Python Language Tutorials

This page features all of our “pure Python” tutorials that focus on the core language features.

What is Python?

Python, named after the British comedy group Monty Python, is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language. Its flexibility allows it to do many things, both big and small. Python can be used to write simple programs, but it also possesses the full power required to create complex, large-scale enterprise solutions. Some of the ways in which Python is used includes:

  • Desktop graphical application development, including games;
  • Mathematical and scientific analysis of data; and
  • Web and internet development.

Python’s presence in the world of computer programming can be found everywhere. For example, Python is used in some of the largest internet sites on earth - like Reddit, Dropbox, and Youtube, to name a few. The popular Python web framework Django powers both Instagram and Pinterest. LucasFilms’s award winning visual effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, uses Python to make help make their magic come to life.

It’s easy to forget just how powerful Python is because it’s so easy to learn.

Free Bonus: Python Cheat Sheet

Get a Python Cheat Sheet (PDF) and learn the basics of Python 3, like working with data types, dictionaries, lists, and Python functions:

Python Cheat Sheet
Build a Site Connectivity Checker in Python

Build a Site Connectivity Checker in Python

Apr 06, 2022 intermediate projects python

YAML: The Missing Battery in Python

YAML: The Missing Battery in Python

Apr 04, 2022 intermediate python

Python GUI Programming With Tkinter

Python GUI Programming With Tkinter

Mar 30, 2022 basics gui python

Image Processing With the Python Pillow Library

Image Processing With the Python Pillow Library

Mar 23, 2022 intermediate python

Python Basics: Code Your First Python Program

Python Basics: Code Your First Python Program

Mar 22, 2022 basics python

Python Timer Functions: Three Ways to Monitor Your Code

Python Timer Functions: Three Ways to Monitor Your Code

Mar 21, 2022 intermediate python

Python Class Constructors: Control Your Object Instantiation

Python Class Constructors: Control Your Object Instantiation

Mar 14, 2022 intermediate python

Python 3.11 Preview: Even Better Error Messages

Python 3.11 Preview: Even Better Error Messages

Mar 09, 2022 intermediate python

Python's Counter: The Pythonic Way to Count Objects

Counting With Python's Counter

Mar 08, 2022 basics python

A Python Guide to the Fibonacci Sequence

Exploring the Fibonacci Sequence With Python

Mar 01, 2022 intermediate python

Python's assert: Debug and Test Your Code Like a Pro

Python's assert: Debug and Test Your Code Like a Pro

Feb 23, 2022 best-practices intermediate python

Python Socket Programming

Socket Programming in Python (Guide)

Feb 21, 2022 advanced python web-dev

Providing Multiple Constructors in Your Python Classes

Providing Multiple Constructors in Your Python Classes

Feb 16, 2022 intermediate python

Python any(): Powered Up Boolean Function

Python any(): Powered Up Boolean Function

Feb 15, 2022 basics python

Python's zipfile: Manipulate Your ZIP Files Efficiently

Python's zipfile: Manipulate Your ZIP Files Efficiently

Feb 14, 2022 intermediate python

Python's all(): Check Your Iterables for Truthiness

Python's all(): Check Your Iterables for Truthiness

Feb 09, 2022 basics best-practices python

Using Python Optional Arguments When Defining Functions

Defining Python Functions With Optional Arguments

Feb 08, 2022 basics python

Using the len() Function in Python

Python's len() Function

Feb 01, 2022 basics python

Draw the Mandelbrot Set in Python

Draw the Mandelbrot Set in Python

Jan 31, 2022 intermediate python

Modulo String Formatting in Python

Modulo String Formatting in Python

Jan 24, 2022 intermediate python

Build a Dice-Rolling Application With Python

Build a Dice-Rolling Application With Python

Jan 19, 2022 basics projects python

Getting Started With Python IDLE

Starting With Python IDLE

Jan 18, 2022 basics python

Python Zip Imports: Distribute Modules and Packages Quickly

Python Zip Imports: Distribute Modules and Packages Quickly

Dec 27, 2021 intermediate python tools

An Introduction to Python Exceptions

Raising and Handling Python Exceptions

Dec 21, 2021 basics python

Hosting a Django Project on Heroku

Host Your Django Project on Heroku

Dec 14, 2021 devops django intermediate python web-dev

Java vs Python: What Should a Java Developer Know About Python?

Java vs Python: Basic Python for Java Developers

Dec 13, 2021 intermediate python

Bitwise Operators in Python

Binary, Bytes, and Bitwise Operators in Python

Dec 07, 2021 intermediate python

Using Pretty Print in Python to Prettify Data Structures

Prettify Your Data Structures With Pretty Print in Python

Dec 06, 2021 intermediate python

Python's .append(): Add Items to Your Lists in Place

Building Lists With Python's .append()

Nov 16, 2021 basics python

Advanced Visual Studio Code for Python Developers

Advanced Visual Studio Code for Python Developers

Nov 10, 2021 advanced python tools

Build a Command-Line To-Do App With Python and Typer

Build a Command-Line To-Do App With Python and Typer

Nov 08, 2021 intermediate projects python testing tools

Basic Input, Output, and String Formatting in Python

Reading Input and Writing Output in Python

Nov 02, 2021 basics python

Python's zipapp: Build Executable Zip Applications

Python's zipapp: Build Executable Zip Applications

Nov 01, 2021 intermediate python tools

Python Best Practices Artwork

Writing Idiomatic Python

Oct 26, 2021 basics best-practices python

Using the "not" Boolean Operator in Python

Using the "not" Boolean Operator in Python

Oct 25, 2021 basics python

Using the len() Function in Python

Using the len() Function in Python

Oct 20, 2021 basics python

A Roadmap to XML Parsers in Python

A Roadmap to XML Parsers in Python

Oct 18, 2021 intermediate python

Python's property(): Add Managed Attributes to Your Classes

Python's property(): Add Managed Attributes to Your Classes

Oct 13, 2021 best-practices intermediate python

Representing Rational Numbers With Python Fractions

Representing Rational Numbers With Python Fractions

Oct 11, 2021 basics python

Python's sum(): The Pythonic Way to Sum Values

Python's sum(): The Pythonic Way to Sum Values

Oct 06, 2021 basics python

Python 3.10: Cool New Features for You to Try

Cool New Features in Python 3.10

Oct 05, 2021 intermediate python

Python 3.10: Cool New Features for You to Try

Python 3.10: Cool New Features for You to Try

Oct 04, 2021 intermediate python

Make Your First Python Game: Rock, Paper, Scissors!

Rock, Paper, Scissors With Python: A Command Line Game

Sep 28, 2021 basics gamedev python

Reverse Strings in Python: reversed(), Slicing, and More

Reverse Strings in Python: reversed(), Slicing, and More

Sep 27, 2021 basics best-practices python

Pass by Reference in Python: Background and Best Practices

Pass by Reference in Python: Best Practices

Sep 21, 2021 best-practices intermediate python

Using the "and" Boolean Operator in Python

Using the "and" Boolean Operator in Python

Sep 20, 2021 basics best-practices python

Data Classes in Python 3.7 (And Above)

Using Data Classes in Python

Sep 14, 2021 intermediate python

A Python Guide to the Fibonacci Sequence

A Python Guide to the Fibonacci Sequence

Sep 08, 2021 intermediate python