Python - Pg. 2
Python Dictionaries: How to Create and Use Them
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Dictionaries are one of Python's most useful data structures. Instead of accessing values by a numeric index like you do with lists, you access them by a key — usually a string. If lists are like numbered shelves, dictionaries are like labeled drawers.
Python Lists: A Complete Beginner Guide
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
A natural way to organize and store data is in a list. Some languages call them "arrays", but in Python we just call them lists. Think of all the apps you use and how many of the items in them are organized into lists — a social media feed is a list of posts, an online store is a list of products, the state of a chess game is a list of moves.
Python Loops: For, While, and Range Explained
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Loops let you run the same code over and over without rewriting it each time. Whether you need to count through numbers, process items in a list, or keep going until a condition changes, Python gives you for loops and while loops to handle it.
Python If Statements: If, Else, and Elif
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Every useful program needs to make decisions. Python's if statement is how you tell your code to do one thing or another depending on some condition — and once you understand if, elif, and else, you can handle just about any branching logic.
Python Functions: How to Define and Call Them
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Functions allow you to reuse and organize code. Instead of copying and pasting the same logic everywhere, you define it once and call it whenever you need it. They're the most important tool for writing DRY code.
Python Variables: A Complete Beginner Guide
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Variables are how we store data as our program runs. You're probably already familiar with printing data by passing it straight into print(), but variables let us save that data so we can reuse it and change it before printing it. This guide covers everything you need to know about Python variables: creating them, naming them, and understanding the basic data types they can hold. If you're just getting started, you might also want to know why Python is worth learning in the first place.
Queue Data Structure in Python: Ordering at Its Best
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
A queue is an efficient collection of ordered items. New items can be added to one side, and removed from the other side.
Understanding Stacks: Python Implementation of a Core Data Structure
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
A stack is an abstract data type that serves as a collection of elements. The name "stack" originates from the analogy of items physically stacked on top of each other. Just like a stack of plates at a buffet, plates can be added, removed, and viewed from the top. However, plates further down are not immediately accessible.
Python Web Development: How It Works and What to Learn
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
Learn how Python fits into web development, when to use Django, Flask, or FastAPI, what front-end skills you still need, and how to start building web apps.
Best Places to Learn Python Online in 2026
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
Compare the best places and resources to learn Python online, including interactive courses, free tutorials, books, communities, and coding practice.
C Sharp vs Python: Which Is the Best Programming Language?
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
"You're comparing apples to oranges," Susan, a developer at my company, said when I asked her which programming language she preferred, C \# or Python. "It's like asking me if I prefer wrenches or hammers. One language is a compiled, statically typed language, the other is a ducktyped scripting language. Each is excellent in its correct context."
Matlab vs Python: 6 Key Differences [Updated 2026]
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
This is one of those arguments where, outside of a few very specific examples, there's a clear answer. Python is better than MATLAB in (almost) every situation. But you're searching for the differences between MATLAB and Python, so clearly you're not convinced. Let's take a deeper look comparing Python vs MATLAB so you are finally persuaded.
Want to Become a Python Back-end Developer? Start Here.
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
Myth #1: "Python is too slow for back-end development."
Types of Functions in Python: A Concise Guide
by Eteims
Functions are one of the most versatile tools in any Python programmer's toolbox. They enable code reuse and provide a form of abstraction. Python offers many different types of functions. This article is a map of the different types you'll encounter as a Python developer.
Julia vs Python: Which is Best to Learn First?
by Zulie Rane - Data analysis and computer science techincal author
Anyone who's anyone in the tech world has heard of Python. It's one of the most popular programming languages in the world, and it's been near the top of developer popularity rankings for years. Wired reported that it's tied for second with Java behind JavaScript.
How Hard Is Python to Learn?
by Zulie Rane - Data analysis and computer science techincal author
Python is arguably the easiest programming language for beginners to learn. If you're interested in writing code, Python is a fantastic place to start. Aside from just being easy to learn, it's also widely used by industry professionals so you really can't go wrong.
Python Assert Statement, How to Test a Condition
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
In Python, an assertion is a statement that confirms something about the state of your program. For example, if you write a createUser function and you are sure that the user needs to be older than 18, you assert that the age field is greater than or equal to 18. You can think of an assert statement like a unit test that is performed at runtime.
Removing Duplicates From a List in Python
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Let's go over a few idiomatic ways to remove duplicates from lists in Python.
Complete Guide to Removing Elements From Lists in Python
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
While lists aren't the most efficient data structure if you'll be doing lots of deleting from the middle, there are definitely good ways to accomplish the task. The built-in remove() method should be your first option. Let's go over some examples.
How to Use the Ternary Operator in Python
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Developers love concise code that's easy to read, and that's exactly what ternary operators are for. The ternary operator in Python lets you perform a small if/else statement in a single line. Let's take a look at a few examples.
Check If a File Exists in Python: pathlib and os.path
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
How to check if a file exists in Python with pathlib or os.path, plus when Path.exists(), Path.is_file(), and FileNotFoundError fit.
Python vs C++: Which Should You Learn First?
by Meghan Reichenbach
Python is easier for most beginners; C++ offers more speed and control. Compare their syntax, performance, use cases, and learning curves.
Python vs PHP: 9 Critical Differences Examined
by Zulie Rane - Data analysis and computer science techincal author
PHP famously claims to be the backend programming language for just under 80% of the Internet. However, if you look at the popularity rankings of programming languages, Python is consistently far ahead of PHP. How can that be? Both languages can be used for backend web development, and PHP was even specifically made for web development.
Ruby vs Python: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Choose
by Zulie Rane - Data analysis and computer science techincal author
A ruby is a beautiful red gemstone; a python is a beautiful green snake. Aside from that, they're both very popular programming languages. They're popular for different reasons, and they're good at different things. Before you choose between Ruby vs. Python, make sure you ask yourself these 10 questions.
The Best Way to Learn Python: A 5-Step Roadmap
by Zulie Rane - Data analysis and computer science techincal author
The best way to learn Python is to write code in a structured order, then build projects. Follow this five-step roadmap from basics to independent work.
