Python Guide

Python is a good first language and a durable one: its syntax stays out of the way, and the same skills carry into web development, scripting, data analysis and automation. A sensible path starts with the core: variables and data types, control flow, functions, and the built-in collections (lists, dictionaries, sets and tuples). After that come object-oriented programming, working with files and dates, and a few intermediate features, such as decorators and type annotations, that appear in nearly every professional codebase.

When the basics feel natural, pick a direction rather than trying to learn everything. Django and Flask or FastAPI cover web apps and APIs, Beautiful Soup and Selenium cover scraping and browser automation, and PyQt covers desktop interfaces. Building a small project in the area that interests you teaches more than another round of exercises.

The reading list is grouped to match: the core language first, then object-oriented and intermediate topics, web development, and finally automation and tooling. Many of the core articles are short reference-style pieces, so they work well as something to return to while you code. Check the date on framework tutorials, because Python web frameworks release new major versions regularly.

Reading list

The core language

Data types, collections, loops and functions.

• Introduction to Python
• Mastering Python Basics: Variables, Literals, and Data Types
• Mastering Python Numbers: A Beginner’s Guide to Integers, Floats, and Complex Numbers
• Mastering Python Lists: A Comprehensive Guide
• Mastering Python Dictionaries: A Comprehensive Guide
• Mastering Python Sets: A Comprehensive Guide
• Mastering Python Tuples: A Comprehensive Guide
• Mastering Python Loops: For and While Statements Explained
• Mastering Python Functions: Unlock Complex Problem-Solving
• Mastering Python Function Arguments: A Step-by-Step Guide

Object-oriented and intermediate Python

Classes, decorators, type annotations, regular expressions and dates.

• Mastering Object-Oriented Programming in Python: A Beginner’s Guide
• Mastering Self in Python: Unlock Object-Oriented Programming
• Mastering Python Decorators: Unlock Efficient Code
• Unlocking Python’s Power: A Guide to Type Annotations
• Mastering Regular Expressions: A Beginner’s Guide to Pattern Matching
• Mastering Dates and Times in Python: A Comprehensive Guide

Web development

Django, Flask and FastAPI tutorials, including deployment.

• Build a Blog with Django REST Framework: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Dynamically Filter Django QuerySets: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Build a Telegram Bot with Flask: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Deploy Flask App with Docker: A Step-by-Step Guide
• FastAPI & MySQL: Boost Performance with Server-Side Rendering
• FastAPI on Vercel: Lightning-Fast Deployment

Automation, tooling and more

Text summarization, web scraping, browser automation, editors and desktop interfaces.

• How to Summarize Text Using Python
• Scrape the Web with Python: A Beautiful Soup Tutorial
• Selenium Python Tutorial: Automate the Web
• Python IDE Showdown: PyCharm vs. VS Code
• Build a GUI with PyQt: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want more? Browse every article in the Python category.