PYTHON
QUICK START
SPREADSHEETS
PYTHON
DATA TABLES ARE OBJECTS
PYTHON QUICK START
Introduction
I'm excited to partner with TDWI to offer a 4-hour online course designed
for any professional to quickly learn the Python skills needed for future
analytics and data science courses.
Here's how Python Quick Start works.
It's rare to find a professional not familiar with data tables. Data tables are
everywhere - from PowerPoint decks to Microsoft Excel to databases.
The course uses a running data table example to cement many of the
most important concepts when using Python for analytics and data
science.
The course focuses on the subset of Python most commonly used when
analyzing business data.
Since you learn Python by writing Python, the course is overwhelmingly
hands-on. Students will spend a lot of time in Jupyter Notebooks writing
code.
Students completing the course will be ready for future TDWI live analytics
and data science courses using Python.
https://bit.ly/TDWIPythonQuickStart 2
PYTHON QUICK START
Everything in Python is an Object
You do not have to learn object-oriented (OO) software engineering and
write your own OO code to use Python for data science.
However, you do have to learn how to use OO code written by others (e.g.,
the pandas library).
The good news is that learning how to use Python objects isn’t that difficult.
To learn about objects, we’ll use an example – the following data table:
https://bit.ly/TDWIPythonQuickStart 3
PYTHON QUICK START
Data Tables are Objects
In Python, objects are entities that have attributes and can perform
operations.
To make these ideas less abstract, consider the following table existing in
spreadsheet software:
Spreadsheet software considers data tables as objects. Consider the
following spreadsheet code:
=AVERAGE(MyOrders[Order Amount])
The above code (also called a formula) accesses the Order Amount
attribute of the MyOrders object.
https://bit.ly/TDWIPythonQuickStart 4
PYTHON QUICK START
Making Objects Behave
Again, consider the following spreadsheet code:
=AVERAGE(MyOrders[Order Amount])
Function Object Attribute
The above code applies a function (i.e., AVERAGE) to the attribute of an
object.
With Python objects, you can ask for them to exhibit a behavior by
invoking a method (i.e., a function):
MyOrders[‘Order Amount’].mean()
Object Attribute Function
Notice how the object comes first in Python? That’s because Python is
object-oriented!
https://bit.ly/TDWIPythonQuickStart 5
PYTHON QUICK START
Want to Learn More?
Through May 31st, get the 4-hour Python Quick Start course for just $75!
Use promo code LANGER to secure your savings today via the link below.
https://bit.ly/TDWIPythonQuickStart 6
PYTHON QUICK START
About the Author
My name is Dave Langer and I am the founder of
Dave on Data.
I'm a hands-on analytics professional, having used
my skills with Excel, SQL, and R/Python to craft
insights, advise leaders, and shape company
strategy.
I'm also a skilled educator, having trained 100s of
working professionals in live in-person classroom
settings and 1000s more via live virtual training and
online courses.
In the past, I’ve held analytics leaderships roles at
Schedulicity, Data Science Dojo, and Microsoft.
Drop me an email if you have any questions:
dave@daveondata.com
https://bit.ly/TDWIPythonQuickStart 7
