Are you interested in learning about programming from some of the top experts in the field? Do you want to observe your growth as you learn? Then you’ve come to the right place, as today we’re taking a look at the Datacamp Python courses and why they’re worth checking out.
Adding coding skills to your portfolio is as useful as ever. The IT sector is booming, and it seems like there isn’t a single industry out there that hasn’t been affected by digital technology in one way or another. So, why not add some technical prowess to your skill set?
Of course, with so many programming languages out there, it can be tricky to find a place to start – from which language to pick to which track to follow. Here's a tip – the perfect language to learn is Python, and DataCamp is where you want to get started.
Today, we’re taking a look at what makes Python great for beginners and how the DataCamp Python courses can help you accelerate your journey into programming from the very first step.
First, we’ll cover the basics: we’ll take a look at what makes Python great for beginners and answer the question of why is DataCamp good for learning Python. Then we’ll take a deeper dive into some of the courses and other learning resources available.
So, without further ado – let’s start learning about Python.
Table of Contents
Why Should You Choose DataCamp Python Courses?
Python is considered to be one of the most straightforward programming languages to learn, making it a great choice both for beginners and advanced coders. Unsurprisingly, it’s also one of the most popular languages in the world – and even if you’re hearing about it for the first time, you’ve more than likely seen what developers can create with it.
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Just covering the scope of Python can take a whole day – it’s a multi-paradigm language, meaning that you can use it for a wide range of purposes. From artificial intelligence to video games, Python scripts and libraries have been used to develop a significant chunk of the digital world that we interact with every day.
There are more than a few reasons why learning Python is an excellent choice for your programming career. In fact, you’ll find many of them listed in the language’s guiding principles, known as the Zen of Python. Some of these principles are:
- Beautiful is better than ugly;
- Simple is better than complex;
- Complex is better than complicated;
- Readability counts;
- There should be one– and preferably only one –obvious way to do it.
So, we’ve got the one “why” covered – Python is flexible, simple to learn, and understanding it can be beneficial. Now we have to answer the next question – with so many resources and ways to learn, why is DataCamp good for learning Python?
Well, that’s simple – DataCamp is one of the best online learning platforms for budding programmers and data scientists. It offers a unique learning environment that helps learners build their skills from the ground up.
You won’t just be listening to instructions explaining how the programming language works in theory. The interactive interface allows you to see how the code is created in real-time – by you! In the learning environment, you’ll learn the syntax of Python and how it can be utilized for different purposes.
You can find over a hundred DataCamp Python classes in the catalog – from beginner-to-advanced courses to data science tracks, special projects, daily missions and assessments, and even competitions!
DataCamp are the experts of gamified learning experience – literally. They’ve created a fun way to develop practical programming skills, allowing you to feel like you’re a developer on a mission. They even offer an experience system that lets you visually watch your skill tree bloom – after all, serious education doesn’t mean it should be boring.
Recently, DataCamp introduced new certification programs for data scientists and analysts. These programs will help you strengthen your professional skills and even offer resources via the DataCamp Career Services. Take part in workshops, get customized feedback from professional instructors, and watch yourself grow.
The certification programs are included in the Premium plan at just $12.42 a month. And even if you’re just getting started and feel like you might need to work your way up to becoming a certified professional, it’s always good to set a clear goal post ahead.
If you want to learn more about DataCamp and how it works, you can find our full review here. Now, it’s time to check out the best beginner-friendly DataCamp Python courses.
Introduction to Python (Enroll Here)
- Offered by: Hugo Bowne-Anderson
- Duration: 4 hours
- Price: FREE
- Certificate: No
- Level: Beginner
- Where to apply? HERE
Starting to learn a new subject, whether it’s a programming language or any other hobby, can be complicated. Sometimes, info overload can lead to you burning out and dropping your new interest before you’ve even had a chance to improve.
If you’re completely new to a programming language, it’s essential to have the basics covered. You know how the saying goes – you need to learn to walk before you can run. The Introduction to Python course on DataCamp is here to help you build a solid foundation.
The Introduction to Python course on DataCamp is as beginner-friendly as it gets. In just four hours, you’ll cover four topics:
- Python Basics
- Python Lists
- Functions and Packages
- NumPy
Don't’ be mistaken, though – these four hours are packed with video content, examples, exercises, and opportunities to start putting your brand new stills into practice. In fact, the interactive learning space allows you to try your hand at more than 50 coding exercises.
You’ll start by learning about Python’s capabilities – where it can be used, what variables and types are, and you’ll get your first taste of how the Python interface works. Then you’ll move on to working with lists from start to finish. This will be your first venture into data manipulation with Python.
Next up on the list is learning to work with functions and packages. To put it simply, you’ll be shown how to work with your code efficiently. Python is a well-established programming language that comes with many shortcuts and loopholes. While many beginner’s courses focus on following the strict syntax, with DataCamp Python, you’ll learn to be a smart coder.
Finally, you’ll be introduced to NumPy – one of the most-used Python libraries. This is where real data science starts. Once you’ve got your basics covered, you’ll get to work on a project using examples of where you might need these skills in the real world.
And remember those experience points I mentioned? Well, completing the DataCamp Python introductory course will grant you 4700 experience points (XP) – and that’s on top of the 250 XP you can earn by completing your daily tasks!
This DataCamp Python course is taught by Hugo Bowne-Anderson. Hugo is an educator, writer, and DataCamp’s own data scientist. He’s led a number of DataCamp Python courses for beginners and intermediate learners, and one of his core passions is promoting data and AI literacy. So, you’ll be in good hands with this course.
If you find yourself craving to learn more, you won’t have to search far. The Introduction to Python course is part of the Data Scientist and Python Fundamentals tracks. So, pick one or join both of them as soon as you feel ready to continue with your Python journey.
And here’s the best part – the Introduction to Python course is completely free of charge. In fact, it’s one of the six free courses offered by DataCamp – and that’s simply an offer you can’t refuse. You’ll have all your essentials completely covered.
Other DataCamp courses allow you to take the first class for free, so you can have some tasters before you commit to the track you find most suitable for you, but the fundamentals are available for you right now. No strings attached.
Intermediate Python (Enroll Here)
- Offered by: Hugo Bowne-Anderson
- Duration: 4 hours
- Price: from $25/month
- Certificate: No
- Level: Intermediate
- Where to apply? HERE
Got your basics covered? Great! It’s easier for your skills to get rusty than you might expect, so let’s get to the next step of your venture into programming. Sometimes it can be hard to find where to go next once you’ve finished the intro course. Should you start looking for a more niche subject? What skills are important to learn next?
Well, with DataCamp Python courses, you don’t have to wonder. The Intermediate Python course is available for you as soon as you’re ready to take the next step. As part of the Python Fundamentals track, it’s the next step to take on your journey to figuring out this programming language.
The Intermediate Python course dives deeper into data visualization and practical tools used by programmers every day. Alongside practical programming tasks, you’ll also learn about some of the key concepts in Python, such as Boolean logic, loop patterns, and plot types.
While four hours might not seem like a lot, this DataCamp Python course is jam-packed with learning materials, examples, and exercises. Nearly 90 exercises, to be more specific. It’s set up to make it easy not only to learn the concepts but also to see for yourself how they apply in practice.
The first two chapters of the Intermediate Python course introduce you to two popular libraries – Matplotlib and pandas. The first is a massive database used for working with plots. You will be introduced to different plot types and how you can customize them for your data visualization.
The second library, pandas, is one you’ll come across a lot if you stick around for other DataCamp Python courses. It’s a data analysis and manipulation library that offers a wide range of data structures. In this course, you’ll learn to work with the pandas DataFrame and how it corresponds with the Python dictionaries.
Alongside the materials and examples available in the course chapters, you can also find a wide array of DataCamp Python cheat sheets that will help you navigate the Matplotlib and pandas libraries.
This course will prepare you to work with data science tools for a number of analytical scenarios, including:
- Line and scatter plots and where they’re used;
- Building histograms;
- Creating visually appealing data visualizations;
- Working with the Python dictionaries;
- Handling comparison operators;
- Executing loops.
Your final task before you complete the DataCamp Python intermediary course will be working with a case study. Here, you’ll see the likelihood of winning a bet by using hacker statistics.
The course is led by Hugo Bowne-Anderson, the author of the Introduction to Python course. This makes it a great transition from the introductory course, as all materials are structured to help you grow your skills progressively.
If you want to try out the Intermediate Python course, the first chapter is available on DataCamp completely for free. The full course can be accessed with the DataCamp Premium plan for just $25 a month. This plan will grant you access to the full DataCamp catalog, as well as extra perks like unlimited coding projects.
So, there’s no need to slow down your learning pace. Nurture your skills with the DataCamp Intermediary Python course and keep the momentum going!
Writing Efficient Python Code (Enroll Here)
- Offered by: Logan Thomas
- Duration: 4 hours
- Price: from $25/month
- Certificate: No
- Level: Beginner
- Where to apply? HERE
Sometimes, programming can seem quite dull. Rows and rows of repetitive code, having to constantly keep an eye on the smallest typos, rewriting the same functions – just thinking about it might give you a headache.
Thankfully, there are ways to get around it. With a programming language as structurally simple as Python, it’s unsurprising that over the years, users have come up with shortcuts and cheat sheets to make their work more efficient.
The Writing Efficient Python Code course is pretty self-explanatory. It’s been developed to help new programmers learn how to efficiently use their resources and save time while working on projects. A lot of the time working with data is spent waiting for it to be processed, and this DataCamp Python course will help you save as much time as possible.
This four-hour course is all about optimization and resource management. You’ll be introduced to Python’s Standard Library and get hands-on experience with some of the commonly used Python modules and frameworks.
This course will offer you some really fun projects, like handling Pokemon stats and finding Star Wars heroes in a massive data pool. But I won’t spoil any more details for you – you’ll have to see for yourself.
The course requires some fundamental understanding of Python, so if you’re starting out, you might want to check out the Introduction to Python course on this list. The Writing Efficient Python Code course is part of several DataCamp skill tracks, including Data Engineer and Python Toolbox tracks.
By the end of the Writing Efficient Python Code course, you’ll be able to:
- Navigate the Python Standard Library;
- Use NumPy arrays in your code;
- Profile your code for optimization;
- Find bottlenecks in your code and eliminate them;
- Use built-in modules and write loop patterns;
- Efficiently work with ​​pandas DataFrames.
While Python is easy to learn, it still takes effort to master, and adding efficient lines to your knowledge box could confuse you at first. Thankfully, you’ll have access to numerous resources that will make things simpler, including the DataCamp Python cheat sheets.
The cheat sheets have been created to make processes like data analysis, machine learning, or just managing the frameworks easier. They include practical use cases, visual examples, and easy-to-follow instructions.
And don’t worry – using the DataCamp Python cheat sheet while learning is not a bad thing. DataCamp aims to make your learning process as easy and fun as possible. After all, even the world's best programmers need to glance at a cheat sheet from time to time. Human error is unavoidable, no matter how good you are.
Your instructor for this course is Logan Thomas, Scientific Software Technical Trainer. Logan is a self-taught Python programmer that recognizes exactly what a learner needs to excel.
You can access the Writing Efficient Python Code course, alongside the entire DataCamp library with over 350 courses, for just $25 a month with the Premium Plan. You'll be able to work on special projects, join any course you want, and you’ll also get a chance to earn career certificates and get in touch with the DataCamp Career Services team.
Writing Functions in Python (Enroll Here)
- Offered by: Shayne Miel
- Duration: 4 hours
- Price: from $25/month
- Certificate: No
- Level: Intermediate
- Where to apply? HERE
Functions are among the core components of Python. They perform certain tasks and help ensure that the code is easy to maintain and navigate. Although Python is known for its relatively easy syntax, functions are used to help programmers organize their code, both from a visual and practical standpoint.
So, it’s no wonder that learning to write functions in Python is one of the priorities for budding programmers. To help you navigate through the tools you might require in your own coding projects, DataCamp offers the Writing Functions in Python course.
This course is great if you’ve already gotten started working with Python but haven’t figured out how to optimize your code yet. In just four hours, you’ll learn tips and tricks of working with Python, and find out what the best practices used by professional programmers are.
This DataCamp Python course is great if you like putting your knowledge to the test from the get-go. Some of the things you’ll learn and try throughout the chapters are:
- What docstrings are and how they work;
- How and when to use context managers;
- Why decorators are so important;
- What the most effective ways are to review the code.
You won’t just be learning by rewriting the code examples, but you’ll also have the opportunity to create functions of your own. It’s a good practice that you’ll be able to implement in your own programming as soon as you’ve finished learning.
Furthermore, it’s not all about the writing process. You also should always keep an eye on errors and clarity. So, to help you hone in your editing skills, you’ll also encounter some tasks asking you to review code for any errors or misspellings.
The Writing Functions in Python course was created by Shayne Miel. Shayne is an expert software engineer, working with machine learning applications and data visualization tools. He’s used his knowledge of the EdTech field to bring you a great digital learning experience.
As the course description states, you’ll leave this course as somewhat of a programming unicorn – someone who can both excel at research and write really good code. Each chapter offers a range of real-life data examples alongside advice and solutions.
This course is part of the Data Engineer and Data Scientist career tracks. So, even if you’re still in the early stages of your programming journey, you can start working towards your dream career by growing your skills and expanding your experience with the DataCamp Python projects.
If you want to learn about the best practices of writing Python functions, you can try the first chapter of Writing Functions in Python for free. However, the full course, as well as DataCamp’s entire catalog with over 350 data science courses, career tracks, and projects, will be available for you with the Premium plan for just $25 a month!
Object-Oriented Programming in Python (Enroll Here)
- Offered by: Alex Yarosh
- Duration: 4 hours
- Price: from $25/month
- Certificate: No
- Level: Intermediate
- Where to apply? HERE
Code optimization is a phrase you’ll be hearing a lot as you venture deeper into programming with Python. Your code can get messy quite easily, especially as you update or edit certain parts of it. That’s why understanding object-oriented programming can be essential.
Python is a multi-paradigm programming language. This means that it can be used for different styles and projects without posing too many restrictions on the programmer.
One of the most common paradigms for Python is object-oriented programming (OOP). All data and code are treated as "objects", making the programming process simpler, clearer, and more logical. And, of course, you can learn to master this paradigm, too.
Object-oriented programming is one of the most widely used programming paradigms, especially when it comes to Python. DataCamp offers the Object-Oriented Programming in Python course for learners to familiarize themselves with classes – one of the core elements of OOP that ensures your code is neat and functional.
In this four-hour course, you'll learn about the key principles and concepts of object-oriented programming and why it's so convenient if you plan to reuse your code. Throughout the course, you'll encounter more than 40 exercises and will even have an opportunity to write your own classes completely from scratch.
By the end of this OOP course, you'll be able to:
- Create your own methods, attributes, and constructors;
- Write classes in Python;
- Differentiate class-level data and instance-level data;
- Integrate your classes with the standard Python;
- Manage private attributes.
If you still feel a little shaky writing your own classes after completing the course, don't worry! DataCamp offers a range of free resources, like cheat sheets and tutorials. You can find hundreds of tutorials created by the DataCamp team and the programming community that will help coders of all levels improve their knowledge and skills.
And if you're up for a challenge, take a look at DataCamp Python projects! You'll be provided with real-life data, allowing you to get a sneak peek into what Python programming is like out in the wild. Write your own code, solve the puzzle, and collect your experience points – both digital and personal.
The Object-Oriented Programming in Python is taught by Alex Yarosh. Alex is a software engineer and mathematician who works with developing online product trainings. So, you’ll be taught by someone who really knows what it takes to develop a curriculum that’s rich with knowledge and practical skills.
You can take a look at the first chapter of Object-Oriented Programming in Python course for free. If you wish to keep learning, you can subscribe to DataCamp's Premium Plan for just $25 a month. This will expand your learning range to pretty much everything you can find on the DataCamp catalog – from courses to competitions.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for the Object-Oriented Programming in Python course on DataCamp today and gain invaluable knowledge that will take you one stop closer to becoming a real data engineer.
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Conclusions
So, with all the courses covered, let’s answer the question – is DataCamp good for learning Python?
The answer is a certain yes. DataCamp Python courses are great for beginner programmers – they offer an interactive learning environment, engaging projects with real-world use cases, and a fun way to grow your skill set.
Whether you’re starting out with no prior programming experience, or want to brush on your old skills, DataCamp provides a great space to study that combines theory with practice. From the very fundamental principles of Python to ways to make your code more efficient – DataCamp will help you at every step of your journey.
So, have your keyboard at the ready, choose a DataCamp Python course from the list above — or a few, especially if you try out the Premium plan — and start coding today! With additional resources and activities like the DataCamp Python cheat sheets, tutorials, and competitions, you’ll become an expert in no time.