Coding for Beginners Using Python

This is a one-day intensive workshop with a limited enrollment to keep classes intimate and conversational. Get the attention you need to learn the skills to level up your career.

How long have you wanted to learn how to read and write your own code? Have you been frustrated by online classes, been taken in by the promise of easy learning on your own time, and came away from the lessons with little understanding and more confusion than you started with?

The Coding For Beginners workshop can teach anyone with determination and an open mind all the basics needed to write code. This workshop is for everyone, whether you’re completely unfamiliar with coding or already know a programming language or two. Our approach is to help you understand computing languages from first principles, in a holistic way that will fill in gaps in knowledge for self-taught programmers and get beginners off on the right foot.

Topics Covered

1. How a modern computer works, from hardware to software
2. Running commands in your computer’s operating system
3. Using a package manager to install programming tools (Homebrew)
4. Programming language basics and using an interpreter
5. Creating programs using step-by-step outlines
6. Installing third party software libraries
7. A brief introduction to advanced programming concepts

Come to our hands-on, intensive, one day workshop and learn in a small group setting where you will get personal attention from an instructor who will answer any and every question you have about computers and programming, and will help you every step of the way. You will leave this workshop with all the technical tools and knowledge you need to read and write your own software.

Please note that this workshop is not about “building web sites” or using HTML or other markup languages or any other form of “front end design”; we will primarily use the Python programming language. Python is best described as a “back end” technology and the workshop is all about how computers work “under the hood” with programming.

What to Bring

You must bring a laptop. MacBooks with Mac OS X (10.7 or greater, the version called “Lion”) preferred because they already come pre-installed with all the tools you need to get started programming immediately. Step by step instructions will be provided prior to start of the workshop to help you get your laptop ready for programming if you don’t have a Mac. Attendees will not be able to follow along with learning Unix commands if they’re working on a Windows laptop.

Light and healthy refreshments will be served during both workshop sessions. We will try to be sensitive to any dietary restrictions, allergies, or other requirements.

Note: You must sign in with the doorman prior to class so please arrive at least 10-15 minutes early.