Applied Program

Python Fundamentals Applied Program

An 8-week, project-based, beginner program that teaches core Python from scratch by building a real command-line tool. No prior programming experience required — ship a working CLI you can put on your resume.

Join this program 8 Weeks • Free • Project-based

Starts 1 week from today — add to your calendar:

View Syllabus

Project-based, Portfolio-first

Build a real application over 8 weeks and ship it publicly — no grading, no enrollment gate. Everything you need is in the public GitHub repository.

8
Weeks
28
Hands-on Tasks
59
Video Resources
Weekly reminders

Join and get email reminders each week, starting one week out

Weekly demo prompts

Turn each week's work into a portfolio-ready update

Open on GitHub

https://github.com/paiml/python-fundamentals-applied-program

What You'll Gain

Skills and roles this program prepares you for

Potential Roles

Junior Python Developer
Software Engineer (Entry-Level)
QA/Test Automation Engineer
Technical Support Engineer
Data Analyst (Python track)

Skills You'll Gain

Python Fundamentals (variables, data structures, control flow)
Functions & Object-Oriented Programming
Virtual Environments & Dependency Management
Automated Testing with Pytest
Command-Line Interface Development (argparse, click)
Python Packaging
Git & GitHub Workflow

Weekly Syllabus

8 weeks, one project, shipped publicly

Week 1
Dev Environment, Git/GitHub Setup + Python Basics
  • Install Python and a code editor, and run your first script
  • Learn Git basics and create your project's GitHub repository with a first commit
  • Set up a Docker/dev-container basics and a Python virtual environment
  • Learn variables, core data types, conditionals, and basic error handling
  • Choose the problem your CLI tool will solve, and who it's for
Week 2
Data Structures — Lists & Dictionaries
  • Learn lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets, and when to use each
  • Practice adding to and extracting data from lists and dictionaries
  • Sketch the data your CLI tool will need to track (its "model")
Week 3
Functions
  • Write functions with positional, keyword, and variable arguments
  • Break your first script's logic into small, testable functions
  • Refactor Week 1-2's code into a functions-based script
Week 4
Classes & Objects
  • Learn classes, constructors, methods, and basic inheritance
  • Decide whether your CLI tool's data belongs in a class, and model it
  • Rewrite your tool's core data as a class with methods
Week 5
Modules, Files & Virtual Environments
  • Split your script across modules and understand imports
  • Set up a virtual environment and declare your project's dependencies
  • Read and write real files (including JSON) as your project's data layer
  • Reorganize your project into a proper multi-file Python package layout
Week 6
Testing with Pytest
  • Learn why and how to test Python code with pytest
  • Write your first tests, including parameterized tests and fixtures
  • Add a test suite covering your project's core functions/methods
Week 7
Building the Command-Line Interface
  • Learn argparse and click for building CLI interfaces
  • Wire a real command-line interface onto your project's logic, with subcommands and environment variables
  • Add basic logging and error handling to your CLI
  • Package your project so it can be installed and run as a command
Week 8
Ship & Finalize
  • Run your project against the self-assessment checklist
  • Polish the README with real setup/usage instructions and examples
  • Publish the repository publicly and write a short portfolio/LinkedIn post linking to it

Everything above is free and public in the GitHub repository — joining just sets up your weekly reminders and calendar.

Join this Program Free • Weekly Email Reminders

Prerequisites

No prior programming experience required. You'll need a computer you can install software on and basic comfort using a terminal — everything else is taught from Week 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the Python Fundamentals Applied Program

No. There's no grading, no enrollment gate, and no required login to work through the program's repository. Joining here just sets up weekly email reminders and an optional calendar schedule.

Both. Rolling/self-paced means you start whenever you want with no meetings. Cohort runs alongside a shared start date with a dedicated Discord channel and an end-of-run demo call.

No — the "Add to calendar" button above works without logging in, defaulting to a schedule starting one week from today, or a custom date you choose.