Python From Zero
Python From Zero: Complete Course
Learn Python from absolute zero, one concept at a time, with every example run for real.
Every Python example in the lessons was run, and the output shown with it is the real output, including the error messages. No guessing and no typos between the code and the result.
Each lesson covers one concept on one page:
The idea, in plain English, often with a small diagram
An example to type yourself, with its real output
Line-by-line notes on what each part does
Watch out: the mistakes beginners actually make
Try it yourself: three short tasks, with worked answers
WHAT YOU GET (one download)
The complete book as a PDF (297 pages, clickable contents and bookmarks)
A print-friendly PDF with light backgrounds that saves ink
An EPUB for Apple Books, Kobo, Kindle (via Send to Kindle) and other e-readers
A web book that works offline in any browser, with clickable cross-links
Every lesson's example as a ready-to-run .py file, plus all 6 project solutions
Every page also as its own PDF, sorted into folders (lessons by module, quizzes, exercises, projects, answers) for printing just what you need
WHAT'S INSIDE
A setup guide for Windows, macOS and Linux: installing Python, the terminal, and an editor (VS Code, IDLE, vim or emacs)
127 one-page lessons across 8 modules
381 practice tasks with worked answers
A review quiz and an exercise pack for every module
6 hands-on projects, from a tip calculator to a to-do list that saves your tasks
A 30-day study plan plus a bonus week
A quick reference for choosing if, for, while or try, plus a glossary and an index
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Running code, print(), input() and indentation · variables, numbers, strings, f-strings and slicing · if, elif and else · for and while loops, range(), break, continue, enumerate() and zip() · lists, tuples, sets and dictionaries · functions, parameters, return values and scope · reading tracebacks, try and except, and a debugging routine · bonus week: modules, files, CSV and JSON
WHO IT'S FOR Complete beginners, and anyone who started Python before and got lost. If you can use a computer, you can start on page one.
LICENCE: FREE AND OPEN Python From Zero is free culture and free software.
Text, images and slides: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
All code and project solutions: GNU General Public License, version 3 or later (GPL-3.0-or-later) You may use, share, print, adapt and translate it, for any purpose. Just credit "Python From Zero by Jacob Pedersen" and keep anything you make from it under the same licences. The full terms are in LICENSE.txt and COPYING in the download. Buying it supports the work and gets you the polished, ready-to-use download.
Written and tested with Python 3.12. Digital download, no physical item is shipped. Not sure yet? Grab the free sample first.
"Python" is a registered trademark of the Python Software Foundation. This course is not affiliated with or endorsed by the PSF.
