A three-week MIT Independent Activities Period course that teaches Python programming from the basics through functions, data structures, and small projects such as hangman, Game of Life, and Tetris. Materials include readings and assignments on OpenCourseWare.

Commenters call it a beginner-friendly introduction to Python with a plethora of interesting assignments and readable readings.

On Reddit (7)

1. Strongly recommendsMDV106r/learnprogramming2021in “[Opinion] Harvard's CS50 is an amazing course and wonderfully taught, but it's not a good first course to learn programming/computer science for someone with no background”▲ 2

   I found "A Gentle Introduction to programming using python" course by MIT to be 100 times beginner friendly. I used that with "Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures in python" book. I highly recommend this combo. To me personally, this CS50 course is overrated. -…

2. RecommendsDangitdangr/learnprogramming2014in “I want to exercise my python skills but I don't have any projects in mind that I could do”▲ 1

   You should check out MIT 6.189. It's a course designed to teach students python over 3 weeks. You could certainly do the projects (hangman , game of life, and tetris) of the class.

3. RecommendsLLGyffesr/learnprogramming2013in “Whats the best online resource to learn python”▲ 1

   I can't speak to whether it's the best, but I thoroughly enjoyed this mini-course: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-189-a-gentle-introduction-to-programming-using-python-january-iap-2011/ Readings, and a plethora of interesting assignments.

4. Recommendstypsi5r/learnprogramming2012in “I want to learn a programming language. I'm not very clever.”▲ 1

   Python is a good choice I feel for a first language. You get many generic programming concepts from learning python without getting too confused. Check out…

5. RecommendsDealioDr/learnprogramming2012in “I'm new to programming. What's the best way to get started?”▲ 1

   Apparently everyone starts with Python. To do that, I'd suggest this. http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-189-a-gentle-introduction-to-programming-using-python-january-iap-2011/readings/

6. MentionsLostpollenr/learnprogramming2022in “How does Nand2Tetris Part 2 compare to a full fledged operating systems course that would be offered at universities?”▲ 4

   I've done Nand2Tetris If I was you I'd do part 2 then I followed it up with CS61C fall 2017 (incredible) CSAPP labs (online - free also incredible) MIT 6.s081 (OS - great) Nand2Tetris is just the tip of the iceberg in my opinion. If you enjoyed it I'd also do the courses I listed.

7. MentionsMegatron_McLargeHuger/Python2010in “I want to get into the computational linguistics/NLP field. Python appears to be a good language for some of the things I wish to learn how to do but perhaps not all. I'd appreciate some advice.”▲ 1

   You might want to look at this MIT course: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-189-a-gentle-introduction-to-programming-using-python-january-iap-2008/

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