Advance your Python skills — master modules, packages, object-oriented programming, file handling, and the Python Standard Library to build a professional programming portfolio and earn PCAP certification.
Python Essentials 2 is the second course in the two-part series, designed for learners already familiar with Python basics. The course dives into advanced Python concepts including modules, packages, and the Python Package Installer (PIP), string handling and advanced exception management, object-oriented programming (OOP) with classes, properties, methods, inheritance, and polymorphism, and a final module covering generators, iterators, closures, file processing, and key Python Standard Library modules including os, datetime, and calendar. Learners develop their own programming portfolio through 21 hands-on labs. Developed in collaboration with the OpenEDG Python Institute, the course prepares learners for the PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification exam (PCAP-31-0x). This is part of the Python Learning Collection.
Curriculum Chapters
- 1. Modules, Packages, and PIP
- Introduction to Modules in Python
- Selected Python Modules (math, random, platform)
- Modules and Packages
- Python Package Installer (PIP)
- 2. Strings, String and List Methods, Exceptions
- Characters and Strings vs. Computers
- The Nature of Strings in Python
- String Methods
- Strings in Action
- Errors — The Programmer’s Daily Bread
- The Anatomy of Exceptions
- Useful Exceptions
- 3. Object-Oriented Programming
- The Foundations of OOP
- From Procedural to Object Approach
- OOP: Properties
- OOP: Methods
- OOP Fundamentals: Inheritance
- Exceptions in OOP
- 4. Miscellaneous
- Generators, Iterators, and Closures
- Files: File Streams, File Processing, and Diagnosing Stream Problems
- Working with Real Files
- The os Module — Interacting with the Operating System
- The datetime Module — Time and Date Functions
- The calendar Module — Calendar Functions
Skills You Will Learn
Understand and use Python modules, create and manage packages, and use the Python Package Installer (PIP). Use selected built-in Python modules including math, random, and platform. Work with characters and strings and apply string methods and operations. Handle errors and exceptions including advanced exception anatomy and useful built-in exceptions. Apply object-oriented programming principles including classes, objects, properties, methods, inheritance, and polymorphism. Define and use initiators and manage OOP exception handling. Implement generators, iterators, and closures. Open, read, write, and process files using Python file streams. Use the os, datetime, and calendar modules from the Python Standard Library to interact with the operating system and manage time and date data.
Technologies Used
Python 3
Python Standard Library (os, datetime, calendar, math, random)
Python Package Installer (PIP)
21 hands-on labs
Course Details
Course Type: Free self-paced
Time: 40 Hours
Modules: 4
Labs: 21
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites
Completion of Python Essentials 1 or equivalent foundational Python knowledge required.
Certification & Career
Career and Certification alignment: This course prepares learners for the PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification exam (PCAP-31-0x) from the OpenEDG Python Institute. Python skills open pathways to careers in software development, data science, systems administration, security engineering, and more. This is part of the Python Learning Collection.
Achievements & Badges
Upon completion, earn a Cisco Networking Academy digital badge plus four module-level sub-badges. Learners can also pursue the optional PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification exam. Share your verified achievements on LinkedIn, your CV, or professional profile.
What Cisco verifies: Cisco verifies the earner of this badge successfully completed the Python Essentials 2 course. The holder of this credential has intermediate Python programming skills including working with modules, packages, PIP, strings and advanced exceptions, object-oriented programming with classes, inheritance, and polymorphism, and Python Standard Library tools for file processing, OS interaction, and date and time management.
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