Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/python-functions-files-dictionaries

Introduction

### Course Review: Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries on Coursera **Overview:** The "Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries" course on Coursera is a highly beneficial introduction to essential Python programming concepts, particularly focusing on functions, file manipulation, and dictionary data structures. If you're looking to expand your programming knowledge and skill set in Python, this course is a fantastic choice. The curriculum is designed not only for beginners but also for those who want to polish their understanding of these critical areas of Python programming. **Course Syllabus:** **1. Files and CSV Output (Week 1):** In the first week, learners dive into file manipulation, which is vital for any real-world application of programming. The course provides insights into reading from and writing to files, emphasizing the CSV data format. This foundational knowledge allows learners to use external data effectively in their Python projects, making it practical and applicable. **2. Dictionaries and Dictionary Accumulation (Week 2):** The second week introduces dictionaries—a powerful data structure that allows for efficient data storage and retrieval. The focus is on the mechanics of dictionaries and using accumulation patterns. By engaging in practical exercises, students will learn how to build dictionaries and explore various ways to analyze data, reinforcing their understanding through hands-on experience. **3. Functions and Tuples (Week 3):** In the third week, students will develop their own functions, a key skill in programming. The course covers defining functions, passing parameters, and understanding variable scope (local vs. global). The exploration of tuples also introduces automatic packing and unpacking, which enhances data management. By the end of this week, learners should feel comfortable creating reusable pieces of code. **4. More Iteration and Advanced Functions (Week 4):** Week four builds on previous concepts by introducing advanced iterations, particularly the while loop, allowing for more versatile programming solutions. In addition, the course breaks down advanced function techniques such as optional parameters and lambda expressions, which are essential for writing clean, efficient code. **5. Sorting (Week 5):** The final week touches upon sorting mechanisms in Python—crucial for organizing data effectively. The course culminates in a hands-on project that requires reading simulated social media data, analyzing sentiment, and presenting the findings in an organized manner through CSV files and graphs. This project is a practical application of everything learned throughout the course. **Why You Should Take This Course:** 1. **Hands-On Learning:** The course structure effectively blends theory with practical exercises that ensure learners engage with the material and apply their knowledge. 2. **Real-World Applications:** The final project challenges learners to apply their skills to a realistic problem, preparing them for real-world programming challenges. 3. **Comprehensive Coverage:** From foundational skills in file handling to more advanced function usage, this course covers essential Python programming concepts that any aspiring developer must know. 4. **High-Quality Resources:** Utilizing video lectures and the Runestone textbook, the course provides diverse learning materials that cater to different learning styles. 5. **Accessibility:** Being available on Coursera, the course is designed to be accessible to anyone with an internet connection, allowing learners to progress at their own pace. **Recommendation:** I highly recommend the "Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries" course on Coursera for those who seek to enhance their programming skills. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn the essentials or someone with some experience looking to solidify your knowledge, this course offers valuable insights and practical skills that are crucial in today’s data-driven world. In summary, don't miss the opportunity to elevate your Python capabilities and gain confidence in working with functions, files, and dictionaries. Enroll today and take the first step toward mastering Python programming!

Syllabus

Files and CSV Output

In week one the video lectures and the Runestone textbook will introduce you to the idea of incorporating files into your programs as an additional source of data. You will learn how to read from a file, write to a file, and how to work with the .csv data format.

In week two the video lectures and the Runestone textbook will focus on a new data type, dictionaries. You will be introduced to the mechanics of dictionaries and then get practice using them in accumulation patterns, both to build a dictionary using the pattern as well as find the best, or worst, result using the pattern.

In week three you will be introduced to the construction of functions. Up to this point, you have used functions in the programs before, but have not had a chance to write your own functions, including how to define a function, how to incorporate parameters, how to return data from a function, the local or global scope of variables, and potential side effects that could occur from function execution. Finally, we look at tuples more in depth, and how automatic packing and unpacking of tuples can be used in functions and in for loops.

In week four the video lectures and the Runestone textbook will outline a more advanced iteration mechanism, the while loop. You will be introduced to using it when getting feedback from users, as well as applying it to the turtle module to draw images. Additionally, you will also be exposed to more advanced function concepts such as the idea of parameters being optional, not required, and anonymous functions using lambda.

In week five the videos and Runestone textbook will detail how to sort python objects - both the basics and more advanced forms of sorting for dictionaries and how to break a tie (if that occurs). The final course assessment will be a project that asks you to read fake, auto-generated data from a social media site to analyze social media post sentiments. You will submit a csv file as well as images of graphs that demonstrate your findings.