There's a free new Google course on Coursera for learning to program with Python.No previous exposure to programming required.

There are many Python courses out there, but when you get notified that Google is offering one then you just have to take it.

I've been exposed to several courses planned by Google and administered by third parties such as Udacity; the Udacity Android Developer Nanodegree  and Java Web Developer for example. The quality was always top class with regards to personnel, material and syllabus.

This class is one more of the same. Addressed to total beginners who want to jump into coding, and do that with Python, the language used universally and in all IT roles, be it a hardcore dev or support personnel.

What you'll learn in a snap: 

• Understand what Python is and why Python is relevant to automation
• Write short Python scripts to perform automated actions
• Understand how to use the basic Python structures: strings, lists, and dictionaries
• Create your own Python objects 

You are expected to graduate having gained those takeaways: 

• Basic Python Data Structures
• Fundamental Programming Concepts
• Basic Python Syntax
• Python Programming
• Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) 

It is taught under the auspices of "Google Career Certificates", which is part of Grow with Google

an initiative that draws on Google's 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow.

In other words, this is a general course that aims to reach a target group as wide as possible, because knowing how to write code to solve problems and automate solutions is a crucial skill for anybody in IT.

It spans 6 weeks,each one requiring only a few hours of dedication.The syllabus for each week is as follows:

Week 1 - Hello Python!
This module introduces you to the Coursera platform and the course format and to the Python languages and the benefits it offers.

Week 2 - Basic Python Syntax 

• data types
• variables
• functions
• equality
• logical operators
• branching 

Week 3 - Loops

Week 4 - Strings, Lists and Dictionaries

Week 5 - Object Oriented Programming 

• build your own classes
• write documentation for your classes and methods using docstrings
• object instances and object inheritance
• import and use Python modules 

Week 6-Final Project

You'll apply a problem-solving framework to tackle a challenging final project: implementing a script that generates a "word cloud" from some text.

As this course is the first part of the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate, a six-course certificate that takes approximately eight months to complete, it can be take in two modes.

A. 7-day free trial which includes: 

• Unlimited access to all courses in the Certificate
• Watch lectures, try assignments, participate in discussion forums, and more.
  Cancel anytime.
• No penalties - simply cancel before the trial ends if it's not right for you.
• $39 (€32) per month to continue learning after trial ends.
• Go as fast as you can - the faster you go, the more you save.
• Certificate when you complete.
• Share on your resume, LinkedIn, and CV. 

B.In Audit mode,which means that you can take it for free but you won't be getting a Certificate at the end. Fair enough if you want just want to get your feet wet, although the wider plan looks worth the money. The whole IT Automation with Python certificate is also available through Coursera Plus, a subscription costing $399 per year which gives unlimited access to the majority of courses on Coursera, complete with certificates.

More Information

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