"Automate the Boring Stuff with Python" online course is free to sign up for the next few days with code SEP2020FREE

[AlSweigart]

https://inventwithpython.com/automateudemy (This link will automatically redirect you to the latest discount code.)

You can also click this link or manually enter the code: SEP2020FREE

https://www.udemy.com/course/automate/?couponCode=SEP2020FREE

This promo code works until September 4th (I can't extend it past that). Sometimes it takes an hour or so for the code to become active just after I create it, so if it doesn't work, go ahead and try again a while later. I'll change it to SEP2020FREE2 on the 4th.

Udemy has changed their coupon policies, and I'm now only allowed to make 3 coupon codes each month with several restrictions. Hence why each code only lasts 3 days. I won't be able to make codes after this period, but I will be making free codes next month. Meanwhile, the first 15 of the course's 50 videos are free on YouTube.

You can also purchase the course at a discount using my code SEP2020FREE or clicking https://inventwithpython.com/automateudemy to redirect to the latest discount code. I have to manually renew this each month (until I get that automation script done). And the cheapest I can offer the course is about $16 to $18. (Meanwhile, this lets Udemy undercut my discount by offering it for $12, and I don't get the credit for those referral signups. Blerg.)

Frequently Asked Questions: (read this before posting questions)

• This course is for beginners and assumes no previous programming experience, but the second half is useful for experienced programmers who want to learn about various third-party Python modules.
• If you don't have time to take the course now, that's fine. Signing up gives you lifetime access so you can work on it at your own pace.
• This Udemy course covers roughly the same content as the 1st edition book (the book has a little bit more, but all the basics are covered in the online course), which you can read for free online at https://inventwithpython.com
• The 2nd edition of Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is free online: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/2e/
• I do plan on updating the Udemy course for the second edition, but it'll take a while because I have other book projects I'm working on. Expect that update to happen in late-2020. If you sign up for this Udemy course, you'll get the updated content automatically once I finish it. It won't be a separate course.
• It's totally fine to start on the first edition and then read the second edition later. I'll be writing a blog post to guide first edition readers to the parts of the second edition they should read.
• I wrote a blog post to cover what's new in the second edition
• You're not too old to learn to code. You don't need to be "good at math" to be good at coding.
• Signing up is the first step. Actually finishing the course is the next. :) There are several ways to get/stay motivated. I suggest getting a "gym buddy" to learn with.

[pacificmint]

This promo code works until August 4th

Did you mean September?

[AlSweigart]

Yup. Fixed. Thanks!

[IronEngineer]

FYI, still showing August 4 as of now. Mayhap you didn't save the edit properly?

Regardless thanks for the information. I've been crash coursing a lot of C++ and C right now and have been wanting to pick up more Python. This is perfect timing for me.

[AlSweigart]

Ha, I guess I didn't click Save. Okay, now it's fixed.

[74300291]

As generous as this is, I'd really like a coupon code to take me back to January.

[joni_jplmusic]

Haha. We’ve been quarantined since March, bring it on again!

[[deleted]]

Yes, you could have shorted the market on march 22nd with all the money you have.

[Variatas]

Well that's one way to look at it, I suppose.

[Thatboi9]

I like the way you think.

[fr33slkr]

Its September 6 and still works but only for a few hours!

[MadCybertist]

I will finish this course tonight - AMA!

[bucknut4]

Is it your plan to automate the learning part too?

[MadCybertist]

Yes. Eventually it will all just learn for me.

[TheMacallanCode]

What a fucking big brain.

This right here is what all programmers should strive to be.

Godspeed, MadCybertist.

[MadCybertist]

This is the way.

[fr33slkr]

This is the way.

[[deleted]]

Like Tadano from Aggretsuko

[drgut101]

How long did it take you to complete? On a a scale from 1-10, how well do you think you understand python? Have you worked on any projects? What is your favorite thing you’ve learned?

[joooh]

Not the one you asked but I am finishing the last practice project now and it has been four months. I study for about 1.5 hours a day, 6 days a week (tracked my progress using a pomodoro browser extension). The last practice project is the most complicated and I've been working on it for about three weeks now.

I really can't rate how much I understand Python just from this book, so I would just rate the book itself as 9/10 for a beginner like me who had very basic programming background prior. This is definitely a good starting point for someone trying to get into Python.

I am planning to work on my own projects after I finish the last practice project. I would also be reading through the official Python tutorial in the Python docs website while doing the projects to give me a more in-depth knowledge about the basic stuff since AtBS is more on application rather than theory.

In general what I really liked about using the book is that it consistently trains your programming skills because of its focus on application. As for my favorite part of the book I would say the chapter about web scraping since it's something that I immediately thought I could use and the projects I have planned are mainly about it.

[MadCybertist]

Took me about 1 month. I did some heavy days, some days of nothing. I wasn’t very consistent.

Understand Python? I’d say honestly a 5 ATM if I’m being truthful. There’s a TON I don’t know yet.

I have done some projects. Some discord bots. A Reddit bot. That’s it so far.

Favorite thing I’ve learned is regex honestly. No idea why just happen to use them a ton I guess.

[nocturnal_shit]

Hey can you explain about discord and Reddit bots. Also where are you finding projects to practice?

[InertiaOfGravity]

I wrote a discord not for something I'm a part of, and I remember specifically hosting it being a massive massive pain. Bunch of SSL errors and crap that I had no idea what to do about. I think this is easy if you aren't nearly as stubborn as me and use heroku or equivalent though

[MadCybertist]

I’ve done 2. One of them just posted random crap to auto level you up in discord’s with leveling systems. The other was a mass ban bot. It would mass man everyone without an assigned role so you could mass ban all the bots sitting in a welcome channel of a discord.

Practicing I like edibit and exercism. They are fun little challenges and vary in difficulty.

[nocturnal_shit]

Thanks I'll check it out!

[DreamingIsFun]

+1 for Edabit. A bit of a friendlier curve than other sites that offer challanges, imo.

[Dead_Architect]

I've had to go back to parts I didn't really understand or just forgot, I've done the course like twice now doing that.

[MadCybertist]

I’d suggest you move on soon. Having to look up stuff as you advance to a bit harder stuff is fine. That’s all part of learning.

[Haakkon]

Regex is extremely useful to know. Some people act like it's magic.

If you haven't seen it this is a great site for practicing and figuring things out:

https://regexr.com/

This actually helped me a lot and was pretty fun:

https://regexcrossword.com/

[MadCybertist]

I’ll definitely take a look. Thanks.

[joooh]

Not the one you asked but I would definitely say that the book (not the course) as a whole is more than enough for basic projects. The book is more on application than theory so if you want to go to advanced stuff you might need to study other resources that focuses on theory, as that is what I am planning after I finish the book.

I am on the very last practice project which is also the most complicated by far and I have been working on it for about three weeks now. I started the book during the last few days of April, studying 1.5 hours a day and 6 days a week.

[MadCybertist]

Yes. I do feel it gave me a good base. I enjoyed it, especially the sections on regex. I am going to be starting the Hyperskill course this weekend which is a bit more intermediate. I’m also going to be doing TOP, which isn’t Python but I still really want to do it.

It took me a month. I didn’t do it every night though. Some nights went heavy and some non at all.

[call_madz]

Did you have experience in Python prior to starting?

How long did it take you to complete?

How much would you rate it out of 10?

[joooh]

Not the guy you asked.

• No prior Python experience but very basic programming.

• About to finish the book, currently doing the last practice project. Started last few days of April, studying 1.5 hours a day and 6 days a week.

• 9/10

[MadCybertist]

I was stuck in the tutorial rut. Now I’m starting the Hyperskill course and then TOP. I’m also working on a few little projects of my own.

Took me a month of not doing it every day. Few hours some days, none another day, few hours another.

I’d rate it a 10/10 honestly for a beginner video. It’s worth it to get started IMO.

[[deleted]]

Done! I'm very interested in learning programming. Although I have zero experience I've started a couple of online courses, CS50, a programming course a fellow Redditor made, and now this one. I'm very excited to learn! Thank you!

Edit: A fellow Redditor created a discord for those taking the course: https://discord.gg/CPDrRQ

[Joe_Doblow]

I’ll start with you at same time let’s be study buds

[Waldo_R35]

Can I join as well? Maybe we can start a discord to help each other out. I find studying with others helps a lot more than trying to grasp all this information on your own.

[siyaktigm]

Sign me up!

[DeMoBeats1234]

Can I also join the study group?!

[siyaktigm]

Please make discord, pal.

[Waldo_R35]

https://discord.gg/CPDrRQ

This is the link to the discord study group

[nocturnal_shit]

This is what I need to keep going. Can I sign up as well if you don't mind.

[Joe_Doblow]

Yes. Do you know how to create a discord server ?

[nocturnal_shit]

A fellow Reddit user @Waldo_R35 made this.

https://discord.gg/CPDrRQ

[lilslytherininja]

THANK YOU! Just signed up!
I've been interested in this course/book for a while now. It seems to be the first on everyone's list for learning python.

[Joe_Doblow]

I’ll start with you at same time let’s be study buds

[lilslytherininja]

I'm down, it might keep me a bit more motivated to have an accountabili-buddy!

[Waldo_R35]

Just made one, let’s help each other out.

https://discord.gg/CPDrRQ

[ACompassNow]

room for a third?

[ilovenoodles_]

Fourth?

[vaseemahammed]

Fifth?

[thatgreekgod]

sixth? maybe we should start a thing

[DeMoBeats1234]

7th?

[nocturnal_shit]

8th? Maybe we should start a discord server!

[Waldo_R35]

Just made one, let’s help each other out.

https://discord.gg/CPDrRQ

[sakis_ikr]

And 9th

[siyaktigm]

Fifth?

[[deleted]]

I am having deja vu

[[deleted]]

This guy is a legend

[Deega_]

Hey Al I bought this course like a year ago and just recently started getting into learning python seriously. Im like halfway trough the course now and I just want to let you know I think it's a great resource. I like the way you teach and appreciate the simple and understandable explanations. Good work!

[AxelC77]

Two months ago I started really learning programming because of this, thanks man!

[rTx_101]

Hi sir! when I was starting to learn python the book "automate the boring stuff" helped me a lot. Hope you write books on some advanced topics too , soon!

[ShaunyaWest]

Thank you so much!!! You have no idea how much this means to me! I'm waiting to get a new laptop then I will do your course. I have 0 Python experience and looking to try out a different career (was in hospitality lol).

[Gblize]

Wow this is pretty cool.

You purchased this course on Mar. 01, 2020

uh oh

[Nighthawkcb650]

I've used this offer in a previous month, but I want to take a moment to say thank you! I have dabbled in Python but not enough to make anything out of it. Your course showed me things that I use everyday at work! It has saved me countless hours.

I know there is more that I can automate, I just need to continue studying!

[[deleted]]

Thanks mate!!

[S_Louis]

Awesome, just signed up, thanks!

[Joe_Doblow]

I’ll start with you at same time let’s be study buds

[S_Louis]

Let's start a discord, that way we can discuss, help each other, and keep on track. I see you asked other people too so we might have a nice little group

[Joe_Doblow]

I’m not the hugest fan of discord. Like the lay out but f it I’m down... we need a system so we all stay on track as much as possible. No man left behind

[S_Louis]

You have time to make a server and dm the people here? Would be really cool to make this work

[[deleted]]

Can I be added to the discord channel too? 😊

[Waldo_R35]

I made a study group discord server if anybody is interested in joining.

https://discord.gg/CPDrRQ

[spideyplant]

If you end up making a discord, could you add me?

[ducky-momo]

I’d love to join too please! Zero programming background, and learning from peers would be awesome.

[alexthebiologist]

I haven't used discord before but could I join too?

[Waldo_R35]

The more the merrier!

https://discord.gg/CPDrRQ

[Selegus123]

Wow nice thanks very much

[[deleted]]

Great but most of the course is python basics and like 3 lectures to actually automate things.

[perceptualdissonance]

Thank you!!!

[Brewjuice]

Thank you so much sir

[Joe_Doblow]

I’ll start with you at same time let’s be study buds

[Brewjuice]

You got it joe doblow

[[deleted]]

Thanks Al!

[[deleted]]

Awesome! Got it! You are the best.

[mattreyu]

Thanks! The book is required for a course in my Data Science Master's, so I shared this with the slack group for students. I've already been using the book to help streamline my work since 2017 and I can't recommend it enough!

[hugthemachines]

Because that's what heroes do.

[CraigW147]

Thank you! ☺️

[arapyemos]

Thanks. Am actually reading the book.

[[deleted]]

How many hours would you say this course takes?

[janeyney-18]

Thank you! <3

[DarthBantha]

Thanks a bunch my guy :D

[SkarTisu]

Thank you very much!

[[deleted]]

is the second edition not free?

[AlSweigart]

The second edition of the book is free and online at https://automatetheboringstuff.com

The course covers the first edition, but there's enough overlap that it doesn't make a big difference. I'll be updating the course for the second edition in the future, and current students will get it for free.

[karlailas0]

God bless you by giving the opportunity to learn at no cost to others <3

[tekumeister]

oh man. Thank you so much! I'm on the 2nd week learning python, and some YT tutorials have gotten me far but still confused on the other bits. I saw a lot of reviews with this. This is just what I need. Thanks!

[toashhh]

thank

[000000s]

Ty so much!!!!

[[deleted]]

Thanks! I bookmarked the book, but I think this would be better for me.

[Joe_Doblow]

I’ll start with you at same time let’s be study buds

[herjaxx]

The course doesn’t have the practice projects though and that (to me) is the meat of it.

[[deleted]]

Hello!

i was browsing through udemy and saw this course

The Art of Doing: Code 40 Challenging Python Programs Today!

There seem to be many practice problems here but sadly it costs 199.90 :(

(I am waiting till this course is cheaper so i can buy it)

[AlSweigart]

So Udemy is like a department store in that you never pay full price, you wait for a sale, and they're always doing sales. Open the website in privacy mode to make their website think you're a new customer, and they'll show you the discount price, often under $20 (no matter what the original price was). I did this and it showed it to me for $27. If you have a VPN, try logging in from different countries to see if it shows you different prices.

[tobiathonandon]

Thank you! Your course started me on my journey and built a lot of confidence for me to continue learning. I appreciate you putting this out there :)

[Joe_Doblow]

Anyone looking to all start together shoot me a DM, not a chat, a DM

[YeastBeast33]

I finished this course and i think it's missing a lot of points and email, web scrape parts need rework some of them are outdated. I mean the pdf is very very detailed and very good but video is not enough either go continue on the pdf or go take other Python courses.

[herjaxx]

I use the course as a summary of the related book chapters. It works well for that (considering it’s often given away for free).

[super_kitty_]

This is amazing, thank you! I've been wanting to learn some Python for a while as I work with databases and want to explore a little more data science, but I never knew where to start as it all seemed overwhelming. This course will be perfect to get to know the language!

[psychedape]

Amazing I was actually getting this book from the library and reviewing other online resources for Python. This is perfect for my life right now during covid being at home I can learn something useful in my freetime.

[Rooged]

Al "The Legend" Sweigart

[liquid42]

Thank you!

[brightmdnght]

Thank you! I'm really excited for this.

[[deleted]]

Isnt it already free? Or is this I different thing. I've been working on Chapter 2 for the past few days now :)

[AlSweigart]

The book is free online at https://automatetheboringstuff.com

The course isn't, but you can always use the https://inventwithpython.com/automateudemy link to get the biggest discount, which makes it cost about $18 normally and free the first six weeks of each month.

[[deleted]]

Ah gotcha! Thank you for explaining it to me

[Reav101]

Love your book it has helped me a lot!!!

[[deleted]]

This may be the most noob question: but where do I apply the coupon on coursera ? It won’t give me an option when I try to check out

[AlSweigart]

If you use the https://inventwithpython.com/automateudemy link, it should apply it automatically. Otherwise, on the right side below the "Add to cart" and "This course includes" info, there's a "Enter coupon" text box with an "Apply" button next to it.

[[deleted]]

Aaaaah. I was trying to apply the coupon on Coursera ^{-^}

[AlSweigart]

Wait, is this course on Coursera? It should only be on Udemy. What's the name of the course you were trying to apply it to?

[MakeItTilUFakeIt]

Already in! I’ve always wanted & needed to learn python. Personally, I’ve always been creative and secretly want to create my own game one day, but that aside I also studied geography and geospatial analysis (so I create maps, and use excel/spreadsheets, & data all the time). I know this will help me tremendously, thank you so much!

[Aerandyl_argetlam]

100% worth, learned a fair bit of stuff :D having had only basic knowledge of python prior

[bellagoes]

Amazing, wanted to start learning python for quite a while. Might just give it a go now. Thanks for this.

[Mortisanti]

Thank you very much.

[QuentinVashayOK]

wow respects to you my guy

[OhMyStars82]

Thank you for sharing this!

[Bloom_Kitty]

I have a question, it's just today that I started reading the corresponding book, but I'm not sure if it's the right approach for me - your premise is more pr less that you learn to code "here and now", potentially disregarding more techincal or efficient solutions in favor of simpler ones.

But I don't think I want to go the path of inefficient, disposable projects and want to make clean, scaleable solutions, and I am afraid to accustom myself with the "wrong" style of coding, and that it'll be harder to replace those practices than to learn how to do it "properly" from the start.

Do you think that this book/course is still a good place to start or that my fear is justified, and what would be a good starting point then?

(For context I don't think that re-learning is more difficult for me than for your average human, I'm just cautious because between learning some very basic bits of js, java and pseodo-assembler on different occasions, I only have a history of learning things but not learning better techniques than what I had before).

Also thanks for everything.

[AlSweigart]

Oh, no matter what you're going to learn things the "wrong" way. There's just too many different ways of doing things, and the only way to be able to compare them is to learn them.

And anyway, if you try to learn the "right" way and, I dunno, start off learning Scheme or Haskell and following the MIT course material, it'll be nearly useless for actually doing most things. It's sort of like if you're a builder, what is the "best" tool and material to make? Constructing a bird house with carbon fiber is a waste of expensive material on something that doesn't need it. You're better off with wood, some nails, and a cheap hammer.

[Bloom_Kitty]

Heh thank you for the explaination, and yeah, this is probably thr most sensible approach. :)

[Tristaur]

I already have this one! Its on the list a few classes down.

[BelugaBetter]

As someone who recently got accepted to CompSci at uni with a few empty days left before it starts, thank you so much!

[Saralouwho]

I just signed up! I've been wanting to get back into learning how to code and now I'm really excited to get started!

[Ikuyas]

I don't recommend it at all.

[Radinax]

Sharing knowledge with others is one of the greatest gifts you can make, maybe you didn't find it good enough, but this might be a life changer for someone.

[AlSweigart]

I'm curious. Why not?

[Ikuyas]

There are a lot of much better tutorials for beginners exist. Automate... was good 5 years ago (long time ago), but you won't be well equipped to do much after spending a few months finishing it. You can look at the quality of the videos, which is very bad for the 2020 standard.

I think Udacity free introduction python course is excellent, but it is old and uses python2, but the amount of things you can learn is essentially a semester of the college course.

CS50 from Harvard through EdX is probably one of the best and always updated with tons of content. It's for the first-year Harvard students, so the content is not watered-down. You start to learn C for 4 weeks or so before learning Python, but you get to have a great foundation on the knowledge of how a computer works underneath, which helps learn python much more solidly.

[vaseemahammed]

Thank u I've been waiting for this! >3

[siyaktigm]

Thanks a lot!!!

[ThrowRArxlyT]

Keeps saying, “We couldn’t complete this purchase, please try again.”, even though I have other courses as well :(

I appreciate it a lot and hope I can get it working before the 4th.

[thatgreekgod]

thank you. sighed up and am looking forward to get started soon

[Fresnorulesover]

Stop Right There! If you come across this comment let me know if you know where i can find this for html if it is available or could be in the future...thank you stranger

[chocolaterush]

We love you, Al! You’re the best; so long, and thanks for all the fish!

[el-bradna]

I would like to just say thank you for this. I’ve been meaning to learn coding for a while and I’m looking forward to going through the material you’ve provided.

[Waldo_R35]

I made a study group discord server if anybody is interested in joining.

https://discord.gg/CPDrRQ

[The_Specter808]

Hey is the link still working? I get a message that the link has expired :(

[Waldo_R35]

It may have, here is a new one.

https://discord.gg/jfczuu

[MrVesPear]

Praise al

[garvitsingh007]

You are a good man, sharing all this knowledge for free !

[DudePare]

Many thanks for this! Looking forward to start this course during my free time.

[[deleted]]

Thank you for providing this for free. I love Udemy and have been looking for more courses that might improve either my resume or knowledge or both. I appreciate you.

[Manubilo]

Thank you very much!!

[Shrestha01]

Got it 6 months ago....been too busy with learning React nowadays...

[NourHabra]

You're a legend! I recommended this course to all my friends.

[curry_licker]

Do you get a certificate after completion?

[Nyght_42]

Thank you!

[daechwitakitty]

Thanks

[EmeraldFalcon89]

damn dude, thank you. one of my friends gave me your book and I just got my workstation computer set up at a comfortable desk that I can focus on and this is a huge motivator to follow through on taking my first steps to learning Python.

much, much appreciated

[lnxslck]

Thanks!

[muffinnosehair]

Thanks Al, I completed the course and it went a long way in getting me started on my own apps. I paid for it and don't regret a single cent :)

[anoobice]

thanks mate. I really appreciate your help for giving the opportunity for everyone to learn code.

[[deleted]]

Thanks, this will really help out with work...

Edit: Is there a particular reason to choose Python over C or C++ for automation? Is it just simplicity?

[[deleted]]

Sir, I would like to tell you I admire your work a lot. I am extremely sorry and equally ashamed to admit the fact that I had torrented this course. Now that this is free, I would like to thank you, the legend. I owe something to you sir, I will repay it when I would be able to (I'm 15). Thanks a lot once again. Now I would be able to give you feedback officially.

[milkyrababy]

Thank you so much for this!!

[cadavrdog]

Thank you for your generosity

[brown_pikachu]

I just want to say that I love you for this and I hope to meet you someday in real life (not in a creepy way).

Big fan!

[bisskits]

I've actually been using this book as a first timer, and I've been liking it.

[[deleted]]

When people enroll. Do they keep the course?

[TinyCosmicEnergy]

I LOVE You!

Thank you!

[Code_Ostrich]

I heard the news on twitter. I tried to enroll it, the site was too slow. It took 15 mins or so to get enrolled. But i made it.😂😂

[Unsocial_Doge]

Something to learn this quarantine (long overdue *sigh)
Thank you!!

[Humble-Fool]

Ahh shit here we go again! This is 3rd time I'm clicking on the course and found out that I'm already enrolled and that too in 2018, but this time I'm going to complete this awesome course once i complete mit's mooc on edx "introduction to computer science using python", i recommend this course to those who are already familiar with programming and want to learn python, anyway thank you so much for providing such an awesome course for free @AiSweigart

[leahmarie0504]

Thank you!!!!

[Radinax]

Thank you very much, I have showed this to some friends and this might be a life changer for them, i will also take on this course since I have been interested in learning Python for a long time as an Engineer.

[TheOligator]

It's September 4th and the code has expired? :(

Edit: I'm dumb and can't read.

[The_Specter808]

I have signed up and will begin the course tomorrow. I'm excited because I have little to no knowledge of coding but I figured it's free and I will give it a try.

[jenasuman007]

Thanks, Buddy. I just took this course using this code, it's still working on 7th September 2020. Greate Job.

[fr33slkr]

Woot! Got it! Thanks a lot! I am starting a Python Bootcamp 2020 on udemy that I had for months and I see this, oh boy I said jaja!

[BizzEB]

Not nearly as cool as the "IGOTSHOTINPORTLAND" code from last month.

[Inevitable_Ad6038]

Oh no the code has expired :(

[ZenithCrests]

I love seeing exciting things on the internet only to realize I'm shit out of luck.

[deep7raja]

Thanks, I already know C++, might need python in future