Why Python?

Python is the lingua franca of data and AI: readable, batteries-included, and backed by libraries like NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, and PyTorch. You don't need to be a software engineer — you need enough Python to load data, transform it, and call models.

The essentials you'll use every day

• Variables & types — numbers, strings, lists, dictionaries.
• Control flow — if, for loops, comprehensions.
• Functions — packaging logic so you can reuse it.
• Working in notebooks — Jupyter / Colab for interactive exploration.

# A tiny taste
scores = [82, 90, 78, 95]
average = sum(scores) / len(scores)
print(f"Average score: {average:.1f}")

Don't aim for mastery here — aim for fluency with data. You'll learn the rest by doing.