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Using Python to Interact with the Operating System

Approx. 31 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn how to use Python to interact with your operating system. Explore topics such as file system navigation, file manipulation, and process management.

Key Learning Points

Learn how to automate tasks using Python scripts
Understand how to interact with the file system and manipulate files
Explore process management with Python

Learning Outcomes

Ability to write Python scripts to automate tasks
Proficiency in navigating and manipulating the file system using Python
Understanding of process management with Python

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of Python programming
Familiarity with the command line interface

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online, self-paced
Video lectures
Hands-on exercises

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Python Programming Essentials
Advanced Python for Data Science

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Description

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to manipulate files and processes on your computer’s operating system. You’ll also have learned about regular expressions -- a very powerful tool for processing text files -- and you’ll get practice using the Linux command line on a virtual machine. And, this might feel like a stretch right now, but you’ll also write a program that processes a bunch of errors in an actual log file and then generates a summary file. That’s a super useful skill for IT Specialists to know.

We’ll kick off by exploring how to execute Python locally, and organize and use code across different Python files. We'll then learn how to read and write different types of files, and use subprocesses and input streams. We'll also dive into Bash scripting and regular expressions -- both very powerful tools for anyone working with systems. We'll even touch on automatic testing, which allow us to automate how we check if our code is correct. To finish, we’ll put all this together by using the tools that we’ve acquired to process data and generate automatic reports. We’ll also explain how to set up your own developer environment in your machine. This is a key step in being able to write and deploy powerful automation tools.

Knowledge

Setup, configure, and use your own developer environment in Python
Manipulate files and processes running on the Operating System using Python
Understand and use regular expressions (regex), a powerful tool for processing text files
Know when to choose Bash or Python, and create small scripts using Bash

Outline

Getting Your Python On
Course Introduction
Intro to Module 1: Getting Your Python On
Getting Familiar with the Operating System
Getting Your Computer Ready for Python
Setting up Your Environment on Windows (Optional)
Setting up Your Environment on MacOS (Optional)
Setting up Your Environment on Linux (Optional)
Interpreted vs. Compiled Languages
How to Run a Python Script
Your Own Python Modules
What is an IDE?
Benefits of Automation
Pitfalls of Automation
Practical Automation Example
What is Qwiklabs?
Module 1 Wrap Up: Getting Your Python On
Welcome to the Course
Pointers for Getting Your Environment Setup
Setting up Your Environment
Is it worth the time?
How to Log in to Qwiklabs
Practice Quiz: Getting Ready for Python
Practice Quiz: Running Python Locally
Practice Quiz: Automation

Managing Files with Python
Programming with Files
Reading Files
Iterating through Files
Writing Files
Working with Files
More File Information
Directories
What is a CSV file?
Reading CSV Files
Generating CSV
Reading and Writing CSV Files with Dictionaries
Module 2 Wrap Up: Managing Files with Python
Reading and Writing Files Cheat-Sheet
Files and Directories Cheat-Sheet
CSV Files Cheat Sheet
Practice Quiz: Managing Files & Directories
Practice Quiz: Reading & Writing CSV Files

Regular Expressions
Intro to Module 3: Regular Expressions
What are regular expressions?
Why use regular expressions?
Basic Matching with grep
Simple Matching in Python
Wildcards and Character Classes
Repetition Qualifiers
Escaping Characters
Regular Expressions in Action
Capturing Groups
More on Repetition Qualifiers
Extracting a PID Using regexes in Python
Splitting and Replacing
Module 3 Wrap Up: Regular Expressions
Regular Expressions Cheat-Sheet
Advanced Regular Expressions Cheat-Sheet
Practice Quiz: Regular Expressions
Practice Quiz: Basic Regular Expressions
Practice Quiz: Advanced Regular Expressions

Managing Data and Processes
Intro to Module 4: Managing Data and Processes
Reading Data interactively
Standard Streams
Environment Variables
Command-Line Arguments and Exit Status
Running System Commands in Python
Obtaining the Output of a System Command
Advanced Subprocess Management
What are log files?
Filtering Log Files with Regular Expressions
Making Sense out of the Data
Module 4 Wrap Up: Managing Data and Processes
More About Input Functions
Python Subprocesses Cheat Sheet
Practice Quiz: Data Streams
Practice Quiz: Python Subprocesses
Practice Quiz: Processing Log Files

Testing in Python
Intro to Module 5: Testing in Python
What is testing?
Manual Testing and Automated Testing
Unit Tests
Writing Unit Tests in Python
Edge Cases
Additional Test Cases
Black Box vs. White Box
Other Test Types
Test-Driven Development
The Try-Except Construct
Raising Errors
Testing for Expected Errors
Module 5 Wrap Up: Testing in Python
Unit Test Cheat-Sheet
Help with Jupyter Notebooks
More About Tests
Handling Errors Cheat-Sheet
Practice Quiz: Simple Tests
Practice Quiz: Other Test Concepts

Bash Scripting
Intro to Module 6: Bash Scripting
Basic Linux Commands
Redirecting Streams
Pipes and Pipelines
Signalling Processes
Creating Bash Scripts
Using Variables and Globs
Conditional Execution in Bash
While Loops in Bash Scripts
For Loops in Bash Scripts
Advanced Command Interaction
Choosing Between Bash and Python
Module 6 Wrap Up: Bash Scripting
Basic Linux Commands Cheat-Sheet
Redirections, Pipes and Signals
Bash Scripting Resources
Practice Quiz: Interacting with the Command Line
Practice Quiz: Bash Scripting
Practice Quiz - Advanced Bash Concepts

Final Project
Intro to Your Final Project
Writing a Script from the Ground Up
Project Problem Statement
Help with Research and Planning
Congratulations!
Sneak Peek of the Next Course

Summary of User Reviews

Learn Python Operating System on Coursera and boost your skillset. This course has received positive reviews from users, with many praising its practical approach to teaching.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The practical approach to teaching was well-received by many users.

Pros from User Reviews

The course is well-structured and easy to follow.
The instructor is knowledgeable and engaging.
The course provides real-world examples and hands-on exercises.
The course covers a wide range of topics related to Python Operating System.

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course to be too basic.
The course may not be suitable for advanced learners.
The course requires a basic understanding of Python programming.
The course may not be suitable for those looking for in-depth coverage of specific topics.

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