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Python is the most popular programming language for data science and machine learning. Master the basics of python with this free crash course.

 

Key Takeways

 

• Python is a flexible, open source, interpreted, high level programming language, which is appropriate for use in a variety of real-world settings.
• Python is now considered the most popular programming language for data science and machine learning.
• This free crash course from freeCodeCamp.org will help you learn the foundations of python programming.

Python is now considered the most popular programming languages especially in the fields of statistics, engineering, data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. A recent analysis conducted using data from LinkedIn shows that python programming skill is among the top 10 skills required for most technology jobs worldwide, and in the United States, as shown below:

 

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Why Python Stands Out 

 

Python is a high-level programming language that is relatively easier to learn. Python is free and open source. Python has a large open source community with lots of free educational resources to help beginners to master python programming. 

Python has several specialized libraries that could be used for various applications such as: 

 

NumPy

 

NumPy is the fundamental package for scientific computing in Python. It is a Python library that provides a multidimensional array object, various derived objects (such as masked arrays and matrices), and an assortment of routines for fast operations on arrays, including mathematical, logical, shape manipulation, sorting, selecting, I/O, discrete Fourier transforms basic linear algebra, basic statistical operations, random simulation and much more.

 

Matplotlib

 

Matplotlib is a comprehensive library for creating static, animated, and interactive visualizations in Python.

 

Seaborn

 

Seaborn is a Python data visualization library based on matplotlib. It provides a high-level interface for drawing attractive and informative statistical graphics.

 

Pandas

 

Pandas is a fast, powerful, flexible, and easy to use open source data analysis and manipulation tool, built on top of the Python programming language.

 

Scikit-learn

 

Scikit-learn provides simple and efficient tools for predictive data analysis.

 

PyTorch

 

PyTorch is a machine learning framework used for applications such as deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.

 

TensorFlow

 

TensorFlow is a free and open-source software library for machine learning and artificial intelligence.

For a majority of data science and machine learning positions out there, knowledge in Python Programming is extremely important. That's why you should learn Python now.

 

Intermediate Python Programming Course

 

Intermediate Python Programming Course from freeCodeCamp.com will help you take your Python skills to the next level. First, you will get a review of basic concepts such as lists, strings, and dictionaries, but with an emphasis on some lesser-known capabilities. Then, you will learn more advanced topics such as threading, multiprocessing, context managers, generators, and more.

Directly from its website, here is what the course promises to cover:

• Lists
• Tuples 
• Dictionaries
• Sets 
• Strings 
• Collections
• Itertools
• Lambda Functions
• Exceptions and Errors
• Logging 
• JSON 
• Random Numbers
• Decorators
• Generators 
• Threading vs Multiprocessing
• Multithreading
• Multiprocessing
• Function Arguments 
• The Asterisk (*) Operator
• Shallow vs Deep Copying
• Context Managers

As you can see, the course goes from basic to advanced concepts. You can find the ~6-hour crash course below, or on YouTube directly.

 

If you are an aspiring data scientist, I genuinely encourage you to invest some of your time and energy to learn the fundamentals of Python. This free offering from freeCodeCamp will help you gain hands-on practical skills in python programming.

 
 
Benjamin O. Tayo is a Physicist, Data Science Educator, and Writer, as well as the Owner of DataScienceHub. Previously, Benjamin was teaching Engineering and Physics at U. of Central Oklahoma, Grand Canyon U., and Pittsburgh State U.