Python for Beginners: Learn Python Programming (Python 3) (Udemy.com)
Learn Python Programming the Easy Way, Complete with Examples, Quizzes, Exercises and more. Learn Python 2 and Python 3.
Created by: Jason Cannon
Last updated September 2026
Our take
Based on the ratings of 63,753 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in September 2026. No course pays to be reviewed.
This is a short, no-frills introduction to Python from Jason Cannon, who spent years as a Unix and Linux system engineer before teaching. Across 78 lectures and under three hours of video, it covers setup, strings, numbers, conditionals, functions, lists, dictionaries, tuples, files, and modules, the core building blocks and little else. It's aimed at complete beginners, and the audience notes back that up: anyone curious about programming in general, with no prior coding assumed.
Reviewers consistently call out Jason's clear, calm voice and steady pace as the course's biggest strength, and several say it's a good jumpstart even if they came in with zero background. The complaints cluster in a few places: a handful of practice exercises jump ahead of what the lecture just covered, one reviewer wanted example outputs shown alongside the code, and one reviewer wished the course went into object-oriented programming, which it doesn't touch. One reviewer also found the back half thinner on explanation than the front half.
At under three hours, this is one of the shorter Python courses around, which is exactly the point: it's a fast primer, not a full bootcamp. There are no coding exercises with graded feedback, just nine quizzes and a download of the presentation scripts to poke at. Students clearly rate it well at 4.5 stars, and it was refreshed this month, so the material is current. Anyone wanting projects, OOP, or a path toward employable skills will outgrow it quickly and should look at a longer, project-based course instead.
Pros
- Jason Cannon's calm, clear teaching style gets praised repeatedly in reviews
- Covers the essential basics (strings, lists, dictionaries, functions, files) in under 3 hours
- Updated this month, so the content and examples are current
- Comes with downloadable scripts so students can experiment with what's taught
Cons
- No object-oriented programming, one reviewer specifically wanted it added
- No coding exercises, just quizzes, so there's little hands-on practice with feedback
- At under 3 hours, it only scratches the surface before moving on
Great explanations, good examples. Instructor is clear while talking and keeps the students engaged. I wish it included some object-oriented programming concepts and examples, but I do recommend this course to get started.
Built for people who have never written a line of code and just want the basic syntax down.
What you will learn
- Write Python programs that can be used on Linux, Mac, and Unix operating systems.
Course content
12 sections · 78 lectures · 2.9 hours of video 9 quizzes, 1 article
- 1Course Overview and Downloads 1 free preview2 lectures · 2 min
- 2Python Setup6 lectures · 20 min
- 3Strings and Variables 1 free preview15 lectures · 1 quiz · 28 min
- 4Numbers and Math 1 free preview7 lectures · 1 quiz · 8 min
- 5Booleans and Conditionals6 lectures · 1 quiz · 11 min
- 6Functions7 lectures · 1 quiz · 10 min
- 7Lists 1 free preview9 lectures · 1 quiz · 19 min
- 8Dictionaries6 lectures · 1 quiz · 10 min
- 9Tuples5 lectures · 1 quiz · 8 min
- 10Files7 lectures · 1 quiz · 16 min
- 11Modules7 lectures · 1 quiz · 13 min
- 12Bonus Section1 lecture · 2 min
Who it is for
The instructor says it suits
- Anyone interested in Python programming, Python scripting, or computer programming in general.
- Those who want to become a highly paid Python developer.
- Those who want to open up doors in your IT career by learning one of the world's most popular and in-demand programming language: Python.
What you need before you start
- Access to a computer that runs the Windows, Mac, or Linux operating system.
How it compares
Against the other 388 rated Udemy courses in Python on CourseDuck:
- Rating4.5 out of 5higher than 52% of them
- Reviews63,753#7 of 389 by number of reviews
- Length2.9 hoursshorter than 86% of them
- Last updatedSeptember 2026more recently than 94% of them
Course Description
JOIN THE OTHER THOUSANDS OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY MASTERED PYTHON PROGRAMMING WITH THIS TOP RATED COURSE!
If you want to learn how to write Python programs like a pro, code python like a boss, solve real-world problems, or automate repetitive and complex tasks, read on.
Hello. My name is Jason Cannon and I'm the author of Python Programming for Beginners, Linux for Beginners, and an instructor to thousands of satisfied students. I started my IT career in the late 1990's as a Unix and Linux System Engineer and I'll be sharing my real-world Python programming and coding experience with you throughout this course.
By the end of this course you will be able to create Python scripts with ease. You'll learn how to take tedious and repetitious tasks and turn them into programs that will save you time and simplify your life on Linux, Unix, or MAC systems.
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Here is what you will get and learn by taking this Python Programming course:
When to use Python 2 and when to use Python 3
How to install Python on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
How to prepare your computer for programming in Python.
The various ways to run a Python program on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Suggested text editors and integrated development environments to use when coding in Python.
How to work with various data types including strings, lists, tuples, dictionaries, booleans, and more.
What variables are and when to use them.
How to perform mathematical operations using Python.
How to capture input from a user.
Ways to control the flow of your programs.
The importance of white space in Python.
How to organize your Python programs -- Learn what goes where.
What modules are, when you should use them, and how to create your own.
How to define and use functions.
Important built-in Python functions that you'll use often.
How to read from and write to files.
The difference between binary and text files.
Various ways of getting help and find Python documentation.
Practice exercises with solutions so you can start using what you learn right away.
A download that contains the scripts used in the presentations and lessons. You'll be able to look at and experiment with everything you're learning.
Quizzes after each section just to make sure you're learning the most important aspects of Python programming
Learn to Program Using Python 2 and Python 3
In this course you'll learn when to use Python 2 and when to Use Python 3. The great news is that no matter which version of Python you choose to use, I've got you covered. I'll show you exactly how to program in both versions.
Perfect for Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac, the Web and More!
Once you've completed this course you'll know how to write programs that will run on the Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems. You can even take what you've learned and apply it web applications.
So... what can do with all this Python knowledge?
Python is HOT right now. The demand in the IT job market for Python skills keeps growing and growing. If you're looking to get into programming as a career, level-up your existing career or open up new doors in the IT field, you really need to learn Python!
Here's What People Are Saying About Jason and His Courses:
"I started this course and instantly started learning new things, just fantastic." --Steven Smith, Udemy student
"The instructor is knowledgeable and delivers the course in a way that's easy to follow... Clear, concise, and informative." --Regena Ingram, Udemy student
"Excellent course on Linux! It is the best way to get started using Linux that I have come across." --Chris Bischoff, Udemy student
"This was a great course! Learned a lot from it!" --Ricardo José Crosara Junior, Udemy student
"Excellent starter course. Very good and complete guide to get you started on working on Linux." --Brian Mulder, Udemy student
"Great course! Easy to understand for beginners and a great refresher for experienced users!" --Spencer Ball, Udemy student
"Very well laid out course. Thanks Jason!" --Eric Etheredge, Udemy student
"Love it... it's absolutely one of the best courses I've taken here on Udemy." --Idriss N, Udemy student
"Awesome Course! Another great one. Thanks Jason!" --John Wilmont, Udemy student
"Excellent Course! Having come from a moderate understanding of Linux, this course has given me a deeper and more streamlined understanding of Linux. Definitely worth the money." --Armando Cabrera, Udemy student
"Fantastic course and very beautifully explained." --S John, Udemy student
"Great course, great instructor. I enjoyed every minute of it. I recommend this course 100%." --Alfredo, Udemy student
"I am lovin' it. Nice way to begin one's journey into Linux." --Rohit Gupta, Udemy student
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Additional Course Content - Downloads of All the Material Covered
As an added benefit for enrolling in this Python Programming video training course, you'll receive access to all the slides, Python programs, and source code used in the lessons. You can download them and refer to them when you want to jog your memory or double-check your work.
Enroll now and to learn how to write Python programs like a pro!
Instructor Details
- 4.5 Rating
63,753 Reviews
Jason Cannon
Jason started his career as a Unix and Linux System Engineer in 1999. Since then, he has utilized his Linux skills at companies such as Xerox, UPS, Hewlett-Packard, and Amazon. Additionally, he has acted as a technical consultant and independent contractor for small businesses and Fortune 500 companies.
Jason has professional experience with RedHat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, Ubuntu, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. He has used several Linux distributions on personal projects, including Debian, Slackware, Arch Linux, CrunchBang, Raspberry Pi OS, and others. In addition to Linux, Jason has experience supporting proprietary Unix operating systems, including AIX, HP-UX, and Solaris.
He enjoys teaching others how to use and exploit the power of the Linux operating system. He is also the author of the books "Linux for Beginners," "Command Line Kung Fu," and "Docker: A Project-Based Approach to Learning."
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Reviews
By HITHESH R on 8/25/2026
It was a helpful course for basic understanding of Python.
By Enrique Bravo Sanchez on 8/19/2026
Great explanations, good examples. Instructor is clear while talking and keeps the students engaged. I wish it included some object-oriented programming concepts and examples, but I do recommend this course to get started.
By Rajeev Singh on 7/16/2026
this course is not in depth but yeah value for time and getting all point which he is pointing. so from my side i wanna say thanks
By Kritanya Onzima Das . on 7/14/2026
It could have been a bit more simpler and intuitive in terms of the codes being written or executed, especially in the later half of the course if this was meant for beginners in Python.
By Gabriel Narh on 7/7/2026
I must say that Professor Jason is amazing. He knows exactly what students need to succeed. He focuses on teaching exactly what will bring an impact and knowledge for all the new language that students are learning.
By Diptajit Dey on 6/29/2026
Did Java programming 16yrs back and then started a career with Oracle EBS and Oracle core DBA with shell scripting exposure. With OCI now being used now and automation needs to be upgraded for Terraform,CICD ,Devops want to make my hands dirty with python and use with along the rest of the automation.
By Arul Thomas Antony Pillai on 6/25/2026
This course is highly informational, and it explains concepts of python really well. Along with the many examples provided and prompts to practice out, this course has done a great job in helping me learn python!
By Lohit V Katenahalli on 6/1/2026
The explanations were good. However, it would be beneficial to include more advanced Python fundamentals, such as sets and exception handling, etc. , along with additional practical automation examples using standard modules. Overall, it was a very good lecture.
By Sarvesh Deshpande on 5/19/2026
Good explanations. Maybe could've added more lectures to build the logic of the learner, rather than only giving us the technical terms. But overall, a really great lecture.
By Chien Lun Ong on 5/4/2026
This course has split into small sections to provide more clarity and focus and beneficial if you want to return to the specific section to recap.
Quality Score
Overall Score : 90 / 100









