Learn From 2024's Most Popular Python Tutorials and Courses

Set Up Your Work Environment

Before getting down to the business of coding, it’s important to have a well-organized workspace that boosts productivity and keeps frustrations at bay. Whether you’re customizing your code editor, setting up virtual environments, or managing project dependencies, the right tools can make all the difference.

With these resources, you can learn how to set up a Python environment that works for you:

• Customize VS Code Settings
• Python Virtual Environments: A Primer
• Using Python’s pip to Manage Your Projects’ Dependencies

By learning how to set up your Python environment correctly from the start, you’ll save time, reduce headaches, and enjoy a smoother, more pleasant coding experience.

Get Back to Basics

No matter where you are in your Python journey, revisiting the basics can sharpen your skills and improve your coding habits. Building a solid foundation in topics like dictionaries, functions, loops, lists, and tuples will give you what it takes to write clean and maintainable code.

In these exercise courses, you’ll practice Python fundamentals to help solidify your understanding:

• Python Basics Exercises: Dictionaries
• Python Basics Exercises: Functions and Loops
• Python Basics Exercises: Lists and Tuples

Working through these courses will give you the clarity you need to explore more advanced programming topics.

Familiarize Yourself With Functions

Functions are at the heart of Python programming. They allow you to write reusable, modular code, and make your programs cleaner and easier to maintain. Whether you want to explore built-in functions or learn about decorators, a solid understanding of functions will take your skills to the next level.

You can sharpen your knowledge of Python functions with these tutorials:

• Python Built-in Functions: A Complete Exploration
• Using the len() Function in Python
• Primer on Python Decorators

By exploring these resources, you’ll unlock the many aspects of functions that can make your programs more readable and productive.

Master Object-Oriented Programming

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a powerful paradigm that organizes your code into classes and objects. By leveraging OOP, you can write modular, reusable, and scalable code that’s easier to manage as projects grow. Key concepts like classes, duck typing, and magic methods make Python’s implementation of OOP especially flexible.

These tutorials introduce you to essential OOP concepts and techniques:

• Python Classes: The Power of Object-Oriented Programming
• Duck Typing in Python: Writing Flexible and Decoupled Code
• Python’s Magic Methods: Leverage Their Power in Your Classes

When you master object-oriented programming, you’ll be able to design robust programs that evolve seamlessly with your projects.

Refine Your Data Science Skills

Python’s vast ecosystem of libraries makes it a top choice for data science. Whether you’re parsing JSON, crunching numbers with NumPy, or exploring the cosmos, Python tools simplify the process of analyzing and interpreting complex datasets. Check out these resources to expand your data science toolkit:

• Working With JSON Data in Python
• NumPy Practical Examples: Useful Techniques
• Exploring Astrophysics in Python With pandas and Matplotlib

Learning about these powerful tools will help you to analyze and manipulate complex datasets and take your work to new heights, both here on Earth and beyond.

Build Something Cool

One of the best ways to sharpen your Python skills is to roll up your sleeves and build something—whether it’s fun, practical, or a bit of both! From games and AI chatbots to GUI applications and tools, hands-on projects are a great way to learn while creating something you can use, show off, or play.

Here’s a mix of tutorials and courses from the year that will help you bring your own ideas to life:

• Build a Guitar Synthesizer: Play Musical Tablature in Python
• Build an LLM RAG Chatbot With LangChain
• Build a Python Turtle Game: Space Invaders Clone
• Create a Tic-Tac-Toe Python Game Engine With an AI Player
• Building a Python GUI Application With Tkinter
• Build a GUI Calculator With PyQt and Python

Whether you’re building for fun or utility, these projects will help you learn by doing, and leave you with something to share and be proud of.

Work With the Web

Python simplifies web-based tasks, from data scraping and API interactions to learning the basics of front-end tools. These skills are vital for web development, automation, and working with online services. By working through these courses, you’ll gain solid web development skills:

• Introduction to Web Scraping With Python
• Interacting With REST APIs and Python
• HTML and CSS Foundations for Python Developers

These courses will empower you to work confidently with online data and create dynamic web applications, unlocking Python’s full potential for web development.

Elevate Your Testing

Good developers write code that works. Great developers test their code to ensure it works under all conditions. Learning to use tools like unittest, pytest, and even AI tools will help you identify bugs early, streamline development, and improve the reliability of your Python programs.

To elevate your testing skills, check out these tutorials:

• Python’s unittest: Writing Unit Tests for Your Code
• Effective Python Testing With pytest
• Write Unit Tests for Your Python Code With ChatGPT

Not only will improving your testing skills give you peace of mind, but it will help you deliver higher-quality code.

Handle Errors Like a Pro

Errors happen to everyone, but the way you handle them sets you apart. From modern linters to understanding Python’s built-in exceptions, the tools and concepts featured in these resources will help you catch, debug, and prevent errors more effectively:

• Ruff: A Modern Python Linter for Error-Free and Maintainable Code
• Python’s Built-in Exceptions: A Walkthrough With Examples
• Handling or Preventing Errors in Python: LBYL vs EAFP

By using a linter, understanding Python’s built-in exceptions, and applying smart coding strategies, you’ll spend less time chasing bugs and more time building robust applications.

Demystify Data Structures

Data structures can be a bit of a mystery until you learn how to use them effectively. Whether you’re simplifying data validation, organizing information, or matching complex patterns, mastering data structures is essential for writing clean and efficient code.

These resources will help you understand how to work with Python data structures:

• Pydantic: Simplifying Data Validation in Python
• Sorting Dictionaries in Python: Keys, Values, and More
• Structural Pattern Matching in Python

By exploring these resources, you’ll turn data structures into a powerful asset in your programming toolkit.

Expand Your Python Toolkit

With Python’s extensive tools and libraries, you can tackle projects of all kinds. Whether you’re grouping data with pandas, working with machine learning libraries, or managing databases, these courses will help you expand your Python skill set:

• pandas GroupBy: Grouping Real World Data in Python
• Python Deep Learning: PyTorch vs Tensorflow
• SQLite and SQLAlchemy in Python: Move Your Data Beyond Flat Files

Exploring these resources will deepen your understanding of powerful libraries and prepare you to handle diverse projects with even more ease and expertise.

Optimize Your Workflow

Every developer loves tools that make life easier. Python’s rich ecosystem allows you to automate repetitve tasks, simplify dependency management, and create professional project documentation, all while staying organized and productive.

If you’re interested in learning how to fine-tune your development process, then check out these resources:

• Install and Execute Python Applications Using pipx
• Managing Dependencies With Python Poetry
• Documenting Python Projects With Sphinx and Read the Docs
• Continuous Integration and Deployment for Python With GitHub Actions

With a streamlined workflow, you’ll spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time writing great code.

Conclusion

As we wrap up 2024, Python’s steady growth and evolution continue to make it a favorite among developers. With the exciting advancements that came with Python 3.13 and the ongoing expansion of the global community, this year offered plenty of opportunities to learn and innovate.

At Real Python, we’ve enjoyed sharing the latest community news, office hours, quizzes, and more with you. If you’re looking to explore more curated content, then check out our Python Learning Paths. These tailored paths are designed to help you navigate topics at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, giving you a structured way to achieve your learning goals.

For more insights, discussions, and interviews with Python developers from around the world, don’t miss The Real Python Podcast. It’s the perfect way to stay connected with the Python community and discover new ideas and tools to elevate your coding journey.

Thank you for being part of the Real Python community. We’re excited to continue supporting your learning journey in the year ahead. Here’s to a productive and inspiring 2025!