Python Tutorial: Build Your First Project in Under 1 Hour

Python tutorial

Introduction

If you’re new to coding and eager to dive into development, the Python programming language is the perfect place to start. Known for its simplicity, readability, and versatility, Python is one of the most beginner-friendly programming languages available. In this Python tutorial, we’ll walk you through building your very first project in under an hour—even if you have no prior programming experience.

This hands-on approach is designed to provide you with immediate results, boost your confidence, and help you understand how Python is applied in real-world scenarios. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a functional project to showcase and a solid grasp of the Python basics.

Why Choose Python for Your First Project?

Before jumping into the tutorial, it’s worth asking: Why the Python programming language? Python is currently one of the most popular programming languages in the world—and for good reason:

• Beginner-friendly syntax that reads like English

• Large standard library that reduces the need for external code

• Cross-platform support (works on Windows, Mac, and Linux)

• Used in many industries, including web development, data science, automation, and artificial intelligence

With so many resources and community support available, starting with Python sets you up for long-term success in tech.

What You’ll Build: A Simple To-Do List App (Console-Based)

In this Python tutorial, we’ll create a basic to-do list application that runs in the terminal. You’ll be able to:

• Add tasks

• View tasks

• Mark tasks as completed

• Remove tasks

This project is small, but it introduces fundamental programming concepts like variables, lists, functions, and control flow—all essential in the Python programming language.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment (5 Minutes)

To begin, you’ll need Python installed on your computer.

1. Download Python from the official site: https://www.python.org/downloads

2. Install it and ensure the option to “Add Python to PATH” is checked.

3. Open your code editor or use a simple text editor like Notepad (for Windows) or TextEdit (Mac).

You’re ready to start coding your first project in Python!

Step 2: Create the Project File (2 Minutes)

Create a new file and name it todo_app.py.

This will contain all the code for your project.

Step 3: Define Your Task List (5 Minutes)

At the top of the file, add:

tasks = []

This creates an empty list to store your to-do items.

Step 4: Add Menu Options (10 Minutes)

Use a loop to display options to the user:

while True:    print("nTo-Do List")    print("1. Add task")    print("2. View tasks")    print("3. Mark task as complete")    print("4. Delete task")    print("5. Exit")     choice = input("Enter your choice (1-5): ")

This will keep showing a menu until the user chooses to exit.

Step 5: Add Functionality (30 Minutes)

Here’s how you might handle each menu option:

Add a Task:

if choice == '1':    task = input("Enter the task: ")    tasks.append({"task": task, "done": False})    print("Task added.")

View Tasks:

elif choice == '2':    for index, task in enumerate(tasks):        status = "Done" if task["done"] else "Pending"        print(f"{index + 1}. {task['task']} [{status}]")

Mark as Complete:

elif choice == '3':    task_num = int(input("Enter task number to mark as complete: ")) - 1    if 0 <= task_num < len(tasks):        tasks[task_num]["done"] = True        print("Task marked as complete.")

Delete a Task:

elif choice == '4':    task_num = int(input("Enter task number to delete: ")) - 1    if 0 <= task_num < len(tasks):        tasks.pop(task_num)        print("Task deleted.")

Exit:

elif choice == '5':    print("Goodbye!")    break else:    print("Invalid choice. Try again.")

Step 6: Run and Test Your Project (5 Minutes)

Save the file and run it in your terminal or command prompt using:

python todo_app.py

Test each option to make sure your to-do list app works as expected.

What You’ve Learned

Through this quick Python tutorial, you’ve covered several key concepts of the Python programming language, including:

• Variables and data types

• Lists and dictionaries

• Loops and conditionals

• Functions and user input

• Basic terminal interaction

Not bad for under an hour of coding!

What’s Next?

Now that you’ve built a simple console app, here are some next steps:

• Add the ability to save tasks to a file

• Create a graphical version using Tkinter

• Move on to more advanced Python tutorials involving APIs or web development with Flask

Final Thoughts

Learning to code doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the Python programming language, you can go from zero to a working project in just one hour. This Python tutorial was designed to help you take that first step with confidence—and now you’ve built your first app.

Continue practicing, experimenting, and let this be the beginning of your Python journey.