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 PDF Download: Python 3 Cheat Sheet

Exploring Scopes and Closures in Python

Exploring Scopes and Closures in Python

May 24, 2022 community intermediate python

Python Class Constructors: Control Your Object Instantiation

Using Python Class Constructors

May 17, 2022 intermediate python

Python's min() and max(): Find Smallest and Largest Values

Python's min() and max(): Find Smallest and Largest Values

May 02, 2022 basics python

Python 3.11 Preview: Task and Exception Groups

Python 3.11 Preview: Task and Exception Groups

Apr 20, 2022 advanced python

Python Keywords: An Introduction

Exploring Keywords in Python

Apr 12, 2022 basics python

Python Basics: Code Your First Python Program

Python Basics: Code Your First Python Program

Python Timer Functions: Three Ways to Monitor Your Code

Python Timer Functions: Three Ways to Monitor Your Code

intermediate python

Python Class Constructors: Control Your Object Instantiation

Python Class Constructors: Control Your Object Instantiation

intermediate python

Python 3.11 Preview: Even Better Error Messages

Python 3.11 Preview: Even Better Error Messages

intermediate python

Python's Counter: The Pythonic Way to Count Objects

Counting With Python's Counter

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

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

best-practices intermediate python

Python Socket Programming

Socket Programming in Python (Guide)

advanced python web-dev

Providing Multiple Constructors in Your Python Classes

Providing Multiple Constructors in Your Python Classes

intermediate python

Python any(): Powered Up Boolean Function

Python any(): Powered Up Boolean Function

Python's zipfile: Manipulate Your ZIP Files Efficiently

Python's zipfile: Manipulate Your ZIP Files Efficiently

intermediate python

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

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

basics best-practices python

Using Python Optional Arguments When Defining Functions

Defining Python Functions With Optional Arguments

Using the len() Function in Python

Python's len() Function

Modulo String Formatting in Python

Modulo String Formatting in Python

intermediate python

Python Zip Imports: Distribute Modules and Packages Quickly

Python Zip Imports: Distribute Modules and Packages Quickly

intermediate python tools

An Introduction to Python Exceptions

Raising and Handling Python Exceptions

Bitwise Operators in Python

Binary, Bytes, and Bitwise Operators in Python

intermediate python

Using Pretty Print in Python to Prettify Data Structures

Prettify Your Data Structures With Pretty Print in Python

intermediate python

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

Building Lists With Python's .append()

Basic Input, Output, and String Formatting in Python

Reading Input and Writing Output in Python

Python's zipapp: Build Executable Zip Applications

Python's zipapp: Build Executable Zip Applications

intermediate python tools

Python Best Practices Artwork

Writing Idiomatic Python

basics best-practices python

Using the "not" Boolean Operator in Python

Using the "not" Boolean Operator in Python

Using the len() Function in Python

Using the len() Function in Python

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

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

best-practices intermediate python

Representing Rational Numbers With Python Fractions

Representing Rational Numbers With Python Fractions

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

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

Python 3.10: Cool New Features for You to Try

Cool New Features in Python 3.10

intermediate python

Python 3.10: Cool New Features for You to Try

Python 3.10: Cool New Features for You to Try

intermediate python

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

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

basics best-practices python

Pass by Reference in Python: Background and Best Practices

Pass by Reference in Python: Best Practices

best-practices intermediate python

Using the "and" Boolean Operator in Python

Using the "and" Boolean Operator in Python

basics best-practices python

Data Classes in Python 3.7 (And Above)

Using Data Classes in Python

intermediate python

Using Python Optional Arguments When Defining Functions

Using Python Optional Arguments When Defining Functions

$The Python math Module: Everything You Need to Know$

Exploring the Python math Module

intermediate python

Python's deque: Implement Efficient Queues and Stacks

Python's deque: Implement Efficient Queues and Stacks

intermediate python

The Python return Statement: Usage and Best Practices

Using the Python return Statement Effectively

basics best-practices python

Python's ChainMap: Manage Multiple Contexts Effectively

Python's ChainMap: Manage Multiple Contexts Effectively

intermediate python

Python's collections: A Buffet of Specialized Data Types

Python's collections: A Buffet of Specialized Data Types

intermediate python

Defining Your Own Python Function

Defining and Calling Python Functions

Python's Counter: The Pythonic Way to Count Objects

Python's Counter: The Pythonic Way to Count Objects

Python Inner Functions

Python Inner Functions

intermediate python

Reverse Python Lists: Beyond .reverse() and reversed()

Reverse Python Lists: Beyond .reverse() and reversed()