Python Fundamentals II: Modules, Packages, Virtual Environments

As you might have experienced, learning Python, the language itself, is not enough to get truly productive as a Python programmer. Although Python is a versatile and powerful language in itself, the rich ecosystem of libraries and modules allows you to build the coolest projects with the snip of a finger. This course explains leveraging this large ecosystem to your advantage using virtual environments, the Pip package installer, and package managers. Besides writing all that cool code, you’ll also want to organize your code better, especially when your programs get bigger. To do so, I’ll introduce you to modules and packages that allow you to organize and structure your code. I’ll show you how to create packages and put your code into modules. We’ll practice everything learned in a final course project, where it all comes together!

The main topics of this course are:

• Creating and using modules
• Structuring your code in packages and modules
• Virtual Environments: why you need them, how they work, how to create and use them
• Installing packages using Pip
• Running your project and managing dependencies with Poetry or Pipenv
• Convert your project into a sharable executable with PyInstaller

Anyone with a base-level knowledge of the Python language can easily follow this course. If you’re new to Python programming, I recommend starting with Python Fundamentals I: Python course for beginners.

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About the author

Python Land is owned by Erik van Baaren (more about him here), who also happens to be the author of numerous articles and tutorials featured on this and other websites. This course was carefully crafted by Erik himself. He continually tweaks and updates the course to reflect the latest developments, so you can be sure this course is up-to-date.

With 25 years of experience as a professional software developer, Erik holds a Master of Science degree in computer science.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the course stay the same after my purchase?
I continuously update all Python courses on this site to reflect the latest developments in Python. I promptly fix mistakes and issues brought to my attention. You will keep your lifetime access to this course and all its improvements.

Is there a refund policy?
Yes. If you don’t like the course, I’ll refund your money if you ask me within five days of your initial purchase. Refunds are limited to one refund per person per course.

Can I follow this course on a mobile phone or tablet?
Yes. The course system will work fine on mobile phones or tablets and adapt to smaller screens. However, some of the code examples might be harder to read. Also, you need a PC with a Python installation to get the required practice. So yes, you can read the theory and do quizzes on a mobile phone, but I strongly recommend a PC for the best experience.

What experience level is required to follow this course?
This Python course requires basic Python language skills. Ideally, you followed my beginner course: Python Fundamentals I. If not: you need to know about things like functions, variables, classes, objects, lists, and dictionaries.

How long will it take to finish the course?
The honest answer is: it depends on your experience level, the amount of effort you put into the exercises, extra material/links, etcetera. As a very rough guideline, you will spend about 40 hours before finishing the course.

Can I get help if I get stuck?
I’m available for questions and comments through the contact form (e-mail). If you get stuck, I’ll do everything possible to get you going again. I value all input and encourage you to get in touch if needed. Your input will help me to improve the course.

Can I try it before I buy it?
Yes, you can! See below. There are sample lessons open for everyone to see and try.

Python Fundamentals II course overview

Please see the complete course overview below. The free sample lessons will give you an idea of the content and course system.