Course Introduction
PCEP - Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer
The PCEP (Python Certified Entry-Level Programmer) certification shows that the individual is familiar with universal computer programming concepts like data types, containers, functions, conditions, loops, as well as Python programming language syntax, semantics, and the runtime environment. The certification is an interim step to the PCAP - (Python Certified Associate Programming) certification and the starting point to launch a career in software development, Python programming, and related technologies. Becoming PCEP certified will help you stand out from other candidates and get your foot in the door.
PCAP - Certified Associate in Python Programming
The PCAP (Python Certified Associate Programming) certification shows that the individual is familiar with general computer programming concepts like conditional execution, loops, Python programming language syntax, semantics, and the runtime environment, as well as with general coding techniques and object-oriented programming.
Becoming PCAP certified ensures that the individual is fully acquainted with all the primary means provided by Python 3 to enable her/him to start her/his own studies, and to open a path to the developer's career.
Course syllabus
Module 1 - Introduction to Python and Computer Programming
Python - a tool, not a reptile
There is more than one Python
Let's start our Python adventure
Module 2 - Data Types, Variables, Basic Input-Output Operations, Basic Operators
Your first program
Python literals
Operators - data manipulation tools
Variables - data-shaped boxes
How to talk to computer?
Module 3 - Boolean Values, Conditional Execution, Loops, Lists and List Processing, Logical and Bitwise Operations
Making decisions in Python
Python's loops
Logic and bit operations in Python
Lists - collections of data
Sorting simple lists - the bubble sort algorithm
Lists - some more details
Lists in advanced applications
Module 4 - Functions, Tuples, Dictionaries, and Data Processing
Writing functions in Python
How functions communicate with their environment?
Returning a result from a function
Scopes in Python
Let's make some fun... sorry, functions
Tuples and dictionaries
Module 5 - Modules, Packages, String and List Methods, and Exceptions
Using modules
Some useful modules
What is package?
Errors - the programmer's daily bread
The anatomy of exception
Some of the most useful exceptions
Characters and strings vs. computers
Python's nature of strings
String methods
Strings in action
Four simple programs
Module 6 - The Object-Oriented Approach: Classes, Methods, Objects, and the Standard Objective Features; Exception Handling, and Working with Files
Basic concepts of object programming
A short journey from procedural to object approach
Properties
Methods
Inheritance - one of object programming foundations
Exceptions once again
Generators and closures
Processing files
Working with real files
Exam Objectives and Fees
The test candidate should demonstrate the sufficient knowledge of the following concepts:
The fundamentals of computer programming, i.e. how the computer works, how the program is executed, how the programming language is defined and constructed, what the difference is between compilation and interpretation, what Python is, how it is positioned among other programming languages, and what distinguishes the different versions of Python;
The basic methods of formatting and outputting data offered by Python, together with the primary kinds of data and numerical operators, their mutual relations and bindings; the concept of variables and variable naming conventions; the assignment operator, the rules governing the building of expressions; the inputting and converting of data;
Boolean values to compare difference values and control the execution paths using the if and if-else instructions; the utilization of loops (while and for) and how to control their behaviour using the break and continue instructions; the difference between logical and bitwise operations; the concept of lists and list processing, including the iteration provided by the for loop, and slicing; the idea of multi-dimensional arrays;
The defining and using of functions – their rationale, purpose, conventions, and traps; the concept of passing arguments in different ways and setting their default values, along with the mechanisms of returning the function’s results; name scope issues; new data aggregates: tuples and dictionaries, and their role in data processing;
Python modules: their rationale, function, how to import them in different ways, and present the content of some standard modules provided by Python; the way in which modules are coupled together to make packages; the concept of an exception and Python’s implementation of exceptions, including the try-except instruction, with its applications, and the raise instruction; strings and their specific methods, together with their similarities and differences compared to lists;
The fundamentals of OOP (Object Oriented Programming) and the way they are adopted in Python, showing the difference between OOP and the classical, procedural approach; the standard objective features: inheritance, abstraction, encapsulation, and polymorphism, along with Python-specific issues like instance vs. class variables, and Python’s implementation of inheritance; objective nature of exceptions; Python’s generators (the yield instruction) and closures (the lambda keyword); the means Python developers can use to process (create, read, and write) files.
EXAM INFORMATION
Credential Name: PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming
Exam Code/Current Exam Version: PCAP-31-02 (Pearson VUE, retiring), PCAP-31-03 (Pearson VUE/OnVUE online proctoring)
Retired exam versions: PCAP-31-01 (retired), PCAP-NP-31-02 (retired)
Exam Level: Associate
Pre-requisites: None
Duration: 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (Non-Disclosure Agreement/Tutorial)
Number of Questions: 40
Format: Single-choice and multiple-choice questions | Python 3.x
Passing Score: 70% (PCAP-31-02, PCAP-31-03)
Language: English
Last updated
Was this helpful?