Weekly Python Exercise, next cohort

Overview

Python is one of the hottest programming languages currently in use. By some measures, it's actually the hottest language out there. Whether you're working on your own, in a startup or at a Fortune 100 company, lots of people just like you are using Python.

The question is: Are you using Python to its fullest potential? That is:

Is your code taking advantage of Python's data types and standard library?

Do you really understand how Python's classes work, and how to take advantage of the many "magic methods"?

How familiar are you with such ideas as generators and decorators?

"Weekly Python Exercise" is a year-long course that aims to make you a more fluent Python programmer. Every Tuesday, you get a new problem sent to you via e-mail. The following Monday, you get a detailed solution, complete with explanations. In between you communicate with the rest of your cohort via a private forum, exchanging ideas and solutions, and getting clarifications. And every month or so, you can join live office hours, asking questions about WPE's exercises or Python in general.

The aim of Weekly Python Exercise is to make you a more effective and fluent developer — which will then allow you to command more respect (and a higher salary), both now and in the future.

Jonas writes: This course has moved my very basic understanding of python and programming to a very practical level. I even think that this course has given me a great base for further learning and programming style. I highly recommend it, even for people who hasn’t been programmed a lot.

If you're a beginner or intermediate-level Python developer, then Weekly Python Exercise is for you. Among the topics we'll practice are:

Built-in data types

Structuring data with combinations of built-in data types

Writing functions, including nested functions

Passing functions as arguments to other functions

Comprehensions (list, dict, and set)

The "collections" module

Iterators, generators, and the "itertools" module

Decorators (as classes and functions)

Object-oriented programming: Classes, methods, and inheritance

Web development

Threads and processes

Consuming Web services

Relational databases

Using Python as a "glue" language

Bill writes: It works! The WPE has been very helpful in advancing my knowledge in Python. The WPEs have covered areas that I probably would have had a very difficult time knowing where to find the info without WPE. I would truly recommend this to anyone wanting to expand their understanding of Python or programing in general.

WPE's next cohort will be starting during the summer of 2018. Sign up here, and be notified when registration starts — and in the meantime, receive my free, weekly "Better developers" newsletter, with programming tips sent out every Monday.

Larry writes: Reuven's exercises take less than a page of code and helps you explore a lot of areas. I am a much better Python programmer now not just from writing code myself, but from looking and understanding the code that others wrote to solve the same exercise. Its a very worthwhile investment in time and money.

Questions about Weekly Python Exercise? Just e-mail me (Reuven) at reuven@lerner.co.il.

FAQs

How much Python do I need to know?

WPE is aimed at people with an intermediate knowledge of Python: You're not a beginner, and you have a good understanding of the built-in data types, writing functions, and of working with objects. But working with more advanced data structures, list comprehensions, and such topics as iterators, generators, and decorators are a bit beyond what you've comfortably dealt with so far.

I've had people participate in WPE at even a beginner level, and they have gotten quite a bit out of the course — but they also admit that they often wait to discuss solutions in the forum, research topics on their own, or spend far more time on the exercises than I would expect.

What if it turns out WPE isn't for me?

If you don't think you're getting value from Weekly Python Exercise, then ask for a refund, and I'll give you one.

What version of Python do you use?

I use Python 3 (as of this writing, 3.6).

Do I have to participate in the forums or live office hours?

No, of course not! But I'm hoping that lots of people will do so. In my career as a Python trainer, it's clear to me that people who solve exercises together both learn and retain more than those who don't. I strongly encourage participants in my in-person classes to work in pairs, and while doing so online might be hard, I hope that the forum can provide something akin to those interactions.

If you can't make it to office hours, then submit your questions in writing, and I'll answer them — then, when you have a chance, you can view the recording.

Am I really committing to a year-long course, week after week?

Yes and no: The exercises, forum, and live office hours will be tied to one another, and will reflect the current (weekly) exercise.

But no one is forcing you to do the exercises with everyone else! You can skip exercises, and do them later than everyone else. The forum, and video recordings from office hours, will be available for you to use, watch, and review forever, as far as I'm concerned. So there's no pressure on that front.

That said, I do believe that there's a value in dedicating a bit of time each week to improving your craft and learning new things. WPE is designed to take up only an hour or so each week, which I hope you'll agree is a worthwhile investment in your career.

Can I see a sample?

You bet! Just go here:

http://blog.lerner.co.il/registration-open-january-2018-cohort-weekly-python-exercise/

Sign up for this mini version, and you'll get two exercises (and their solutions), in the same style as the real WPE. This sample squeezes it all into five days.

Are discounts available?

Yes — if you join with a group of 5 or more, each person gets 20% off.

I also offer my standard 20% discount to students and pensioners.

I also offer my standard "parity pricing" discount to anyone currently living outside of the 30 wealthiest countries in the world.

Interested in any of these? Just contact me via e-mail, and I'll be delighted to provide you with the appropriate coupon code.

When will the office hours be held?

Office hours will be held 1-2 times each month. I'll try to vary the days and times, so that no matter where you live in the world, you'll be able to participate at least occasionally.