Python Crash Course
Based on Python Crash Course, 3rd Edition by Eric Matthes. Adapted for infrastructure engineers with CLI-first learning.
Course Structure
| Part | Focus | Chapters |
|---|---|---|
I: Basics |
Core Python - types, structures, functions, classes, files, testing |
1-11 |
II: Projects |
Alien Invasion (pygame), Data Visualization (matplotlib), Web Apps (Django) |
12-20 |
Part I: Fundamentals
| Ch | Topic |
|---|---|
Environment, REPL, first script |
|
Variables, strings, numbers, comments |
|
Lists, indexing, modifying, organizing |
|
Looping, slices, tuples |
|
Conditionals, boolean expressions |
|
Key-value pairs, nesting |
|
User input, while loops |
|
Defining functions, arguments, modules |
|
OOP, inheritance, composition |
|
File I/O, error handling, JSON |
|
pytest, fixtures, assertions |
Part II: Projects
Project 1: Alien Invasion (Ch 12-14)
Build a 2D arcade game with Pygame:
Project 2: Data Visualization (Ch 15-17)
Analyze and visualize data:
Environment
Minimum: Python 3.10+
python3 --versionThis course uses neovim/vim with LSP. No IDE required.
Philosophy
Infrastructure examples throughout: servers, IPs, ports, configs - not generic dogs and pizzas.
Simple is better than complex. Readability counts.
>>> import this