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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Python Data Representations by Rice University

4.7
stars
1,115 ratings

About the Course

This course will continue the introduction to Python programming that started with Python Programming Essentials. We'll learn about different data representations, including strings, lists, and tuples, that form the core of all Python programs. We will also teach you how to access files, which will allow you to store and retrieve data within your programs. These concepts and skills will help you to manipulate data and write more complex Python programs. By the end of the course, you will be able to write Python programs that can manipulate data stored in files. This will extend your Python programming expertise, enabling you to write a wide range of scripts using Python This course uses Python 3. While most Python programs continue to use Python 2, Python 3 is the future of the Python programming language. This course introduces basic desktop Python development environments, allowing you to run Python programs directly on your computer. This choice enables a smooth transition from online development environments....

Top reviews

LF

Sep 10, 2020

Exceptional course, well guided with very good examples and very accurate tips for how to code. This course is a bit challenging but when you finish it. You feel so realized, don't be afraid to try.

NB

Mar 4, 2023

This course was awesome and challenging. Spent a lot of time on the final project, but eventually got it done. I like its soft difficulty. I mean its hard, but not in an intimidating, daunting way.

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1 - 25 of 192 Reviews for Python Data Representations

By Ryan Z

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Feb 19, 2020

Great content and overall structure to the program! I would like to note that the course could use some combing through by the admin. Some of the material seems to have been moved around, so I noticed a couple times that I'd be asked to complete practice exercises on concepts I had not reviewed at that point. I also think some of the exercises and projects could be more clear. Sometimes I feel like I have to read the instructions 3-4 times before I can confidently say I know what I am being asked to do and the respective requirements.

By Jalal A

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Aug 2, 2019

This course is really fantastic for beginners and those who want to start learning python. Instructors teach the essentials and principles of the python language patiently and fun.

By Jose D

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Aug 2, 2018

Excelente componente del Curso. Gran aprendizaje, altamente recomendado. Para principiantes otorga buen nivel para ir desarrollándose en este gran lenguaje de programación.

By Carl M

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Apr 19, 2018

Weeks up to the capstone project were good. The last week has issues in my opinion. The projects' documentation isn't what I would expect if you were teaching beginners. It lacks key examples that would help explain some of the items you are to complete. It may be just me, but I had to read the projects several times and even then I may not have gotten the concept. In other words, it isn't plain English. I finally gave up and asked in the discussion forum. Save yourself some time, if you don't understand use the forum.

By Erik F

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Dec 29, 2021

Decent overview of the fundamentals of strings, lists, and tuples in Python, and how to manipulate them. The course doesn't do a good job of spanning the gap from the fundamentals shown in lectures/readings and more complex programs / algorithmic thinking required for some quiz questions and the project (this is evident from other reviews/discussion forum). The discussion forum also seems to be mostly dead, limiting its usefulness for active learning.

By Juan A

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Dec 22, 2021

In the final project, it was tough to understand what was needed for multiline_diff function without proper unit tests for my machine. I think it would be worth giving students a practice problem that is like that function. Simply reading the text it gets confusing.

By Ali S

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Apr 1, 2020

Nice course with interesting material but the final project is waaaaay too dofficult for what is taught in the course. There is no chance anyone could answer the questions without massive help after just taking the first two courses of this series.

By Kristoffer H

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Mar 26, 2018

Lacks the modern functionality of Coursera courses made by University of Michigan which incorporates Jupyter notebooks into the course making homework assignments more awkward than they need to be.

By Sinem A

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Mar 3, 2020

up until final project, course was very good, well explanatory. But the level of final project on week 4 was too high for a beginner who took only python Programming essentials and this course.

By Pratyush A

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Sep 6, 2020

The course starts off easy. The professors are very nice and teach us the basics but the final assignment is extremely tough. Hard to complete it.

By Matthew W

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Jul 15, 2018

Projects could have been a little better explained and more straight forward. Learned a lot of problem-solving skills, however.

By Nicholas L

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Nov 13, 2019

Subpar followup to the first course in this specialization. Felt entirely unprepared for the week 4 final project based on the material covered in the previous weeks. Based on the volume of posts in the forums for week 4, the professors should be well aware of this (hopefully that means they modify the final project).

By Devvrat P

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Apr 17, 2018

The lecture and first 3 weeks were not sufficient to prepare us for the project work in week4. I think it would be better to ease the complexities through by dividing them between week 3 and 4.

By Kevin D

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Jun 5, 2019

Professors Rixner and Warren have done an excellent job of presenting the material this material. What I especially like about the courses in the Specialization is the projects that are offered. The projects for you to think beyond the everyday programming that you may experience at work or some other venue. They also are very good about reinforcing the concepts that are offered in the lectures.

I have been at the novice level in Python for the last couple of years by trying to learn on my own and other Coursera courses. I have thus far found that this Specialization to be one of the best. I'm glad that you have taken the time to produce these courses. I hope in the future to take what I learn here and make career change.

Thank you

By Ahmad E H

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Jun 24, 2020

This second course is a continuation of the first course which talks about strings, lists and tuples and file manipulation. the videos and notes are excellent and more importantly the quizzes and assignments reinforces what you have learned. the practice project is not easy, but the instructors provide the solution for you which will help you greatly in your final graded project. You might do some online search here and there to lookup certain python functions but nothing that you can't manage. Good luck!

By Nishant S

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Nov 11, 2019

Difficult from a having little background in programming but exercises, online tools referenced and discussion forums are extremely helpful in gaining confidence to look into self-study to improve knowledge base and understanding. I think I will have a tough time continuing but I don't mind being patient given learning tools available nowadays are very user-friendly and responsive, and don't penalize you as severely as the barriers to learning would in the past.

By Max B

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Apr 10, 2019

If you are new to Python and wants a flying start, this course (and specialization) is for you! Comprise lectures, good material and fun exercises. Sure, there are plenty of other providers for introductory courses in Python but here you will get it all in one place. Even as a semi-seasoned programmer in Python, I found this course to answer some questions that have popped up over the years. Highly recommended!

By Mark J S

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Feb 22, 2019

It was challenging. Some elements of the projects did not make sense as they were presented, but the instructors gave a decent explanation of why those would be relevant, e.g. something would have already been determined in a real life use of such a function. Definitely increased my understanding of Python and I'm ready and eager to move forward in Rice's certificate program.

By Humberto O

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Jun 12, 2018

Definitely a challenging course. I started taking the third course mid-way through this course, and that was a bad idea because while weeks 1 - 3 might be okay, I definitely did not have enough to finish the final project and an additional week the same week. Anyway, great class if you have taken the previous class, or if you have a beginner to intermediate level of Python.

By Donald G

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Nov 17, 2022

This was a great experience. It blended instruction with practice. The quizzes and assignments were a challenge and, I feel, really enhanced learning. As the instructors promised in the first video of Course 1, learning python is not easy but, with work, a lot is gained. Thank you for your instruction and how you set up the course. 'Looking forward to the next course.

By Paul C

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Aug 10, 2022

Scott Rixnew and Joe Warren did a great job in the lectures. Content was deep and wide, well tuned. Dr. Dennis could not be a better mentor in this class. He was clear in his messages and kept me on task to continue to improve my code.

Looking forward to the Data Analysis class that I will start in Sept.

Thank you all!

Sincerely.

Paul Chisari

By Vilma K

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Nov 15, 2020

Course is well tailored for users, who alrready have some previous training experience on Python. The level of complexity in assignments is growing reasonably. If you feel stuck on something, you might find some similar stories already sorted in forum or ask for personalised help. Thank you, I feel empowered to proceed with my Python journey!

By Veronica S

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Jun 6, 2019

Excellent course! Dr. Rixner and Dr. Warren explained the material clearly, which significantly helped my understanding. I found the final project to be quite challenging compared to quizzes and examples covered in lecturers and had to heavily rely on the discussion forum. Other than that, great class overall. Highly recommended.

By Craig A

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Mar 7, 2021

Very good course. I'd already done An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python - so in some ways this is going over old ground. However, I am learning new things. Probably would have been better to have done this one first. I think the 3rd and 4th courses in the Specialisation will take me into more new territory.

By A

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Mar 3, 2018

Very good course. Thorough and detailed explanation of all concepts. Course takes you smoothly from beginner level to the very end. Amazing how much can be learned in this course. The learning curve is gradual so make sure you follow instructions and complete all the practice assignments in order. Definitely worth the time.