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Python for Beginners

A Complete Guide with Examples & Practice Questions
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Topics Covered:
• Variables & Data Types
• Methods & Functions
• Loops
• Conditions (if/else)
• Classes & Objects

Learn by doing — every concept has examples & quiz questions!

Chapter 1: Variables & Data Types
A variable is like a box where you store information. You give the box a name, and put something inside it.
Python figures out the type automatically!

1.1 Variables
Think of a variable like a label on a jar. You name the jar, and put something in it.
EXAMPLE
# Creating variables
name = "Zaid" # stores text
age = 22 # stores a number
height = 5.9 # stores a decimal number
is_student = True # stores True or False

# Printing them
print("Name:", name)
print("Age:", age)
OUTPUT
Name: Zaid
Age: 22

1.2 Data Types

Python has several built-in data types. Here are the most important ones for beginners:

int — Whole Numbers

Used for counting things, like age, score, number of items.
score = 100
items = 5
print(type(score)) # Output: <class 'int'>

float — Decimal Numbers

Used when you need precision, like price, temperature, measurements.
price = 49.99
temperature = 36.6
print(type(price)) # Output: <class 'float'>

str — Text (String)

Used for words, sentences, names. Always wrap in quotes.
city = "Mumbai"
 greeting = "Hello, World!"
print(len(city)) # Output: 6 (number of letters)

bool — True or False

Used for yes/no decisions. Only two possible values: True or False.
is_raining = False
has_ticket = True
print(type(is_raining)) # Output: <class 'bool'>

list — Collection of Items

Like a shopping list — holds multiple values in order.
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "mango"]
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
print(fruits[0]) # Output: apple (index starts at 0)
print(fruits[2]) # Output: mango

dict — Key-Value Pairs

Like a real dictionary — you look up a word (key) to get its meaning (value).
student = {
"name": "Zaid",
"age": 22,
"grade": "A"
}
print(student["name"]) # Output: Zaid
print(student["grade"]) # Output: A

💡 Tip: You can check the type of any variable using: print(type(variable_name))

Practice Questions

Q1. What is the data type of: x = "Hello"?

✅ Answer: str (string) — because it is text inside quotes.

Q2. What is the data type of: y = 3.14?

✅ Answer: float — because it has a decimal point.

Q3. How do you store the value 100 in a variable called score?

✅ Answer: score = 100

Q4. fruits = ["apple", "banana", "mango"] — What does fruits[1] give you?

✅ Answer: "banana" — List indexing starts at 0, so index 1 is the second item.

Q5. Write code to create a dictionary with your name and age.

✅ Answer: person = {"name": "Your Name", "age": 20}

Chapter 2: Methods & Functions
A function is a reusable block of code that does a specific job. Instead of writing the same code again and again,
you write it once inside a function and call it whenever needed.

2.1 Defining a Function

Use the def keyword to create a function. Think of it like writing a recipe — define it once, use it many times.
EXAMPLE
# Define the function
def greet():
print("Hello! Welcome to Python!")

# Call the function

greet()
greet() # Can be called multiple times
OUTPUT
Hello! Welcome to Python!
Hello! Welcome to Python!

2.2 Functions with Parameters

Parameters are inputs you send into a function. Like ingredients you give to a recipe.
def greet_person(name):
print("Hello,", name, "!")

greet_person("Zaid")
greet_person("Riya")
OUTPUT
Hello, Zaid !
Hello, Riya !

2.3 Functions that Return a Value

Functions can send a result back using the return keyword.
def add(a, b):
return a + b

result = add(5, 3)
print("Sum:", result) # Output: Sum: 8

# You can also use the return value directly

print(add(10, 20)) # Output: 30
2.4 Built-in Functions
Python comes with many ready-made functions. You don't need to define these — they're already available!
# print() — displays output
print("Hello")

# len() — counts items

print(len("Python")) # Output: 6

# type() — shows data type

print(type(42)) # Output: <class 'int'>

# int(), float(), str() — convert types

print(int("5") + 3) # Output: 8

# input() — take input from user

name = input("Enter your name: ")

2.5 Methods (Functions on Objects)

Methods are functions that belong to a specific data type. You call them using a dot (.) after the variable.
# String methods
text = "hello world"
print([Link]()) # Output: HELLO WORLD
print([Link]()) # Output: Hello World
print([Link]("world", "Python")) # Output: hello Python

# List methods
fruits = ["apple", "banana"]
[Link]("mango") # adds to end
print(fruits) # Output: ['apple', 'banana', 'mango']
[Link]('banana') # removes item
print(fruits) # Output: ['apple', 'mango']

💡 Tip: Difference: A function stands alone (print, len). A method is attached to an object using a dot
([Link](), [Link]()).

Practice Questions

Q1. What keyword is used to define a function in Python?

✅ Answer: def — short for 'define'.

Q2. Write a function called square that returns the square of a number.

✅ Answer: def square(n): return n * n

Q3. What does "Python".upper() return?

✅ Answer: "PYTHON" — the upper() method converts all letters to uppercase.

Q4. What is the difference between a parameter and an argument?

✅ Answer: A parameter is the variable name in the function definition (def greet(name)). An
argument is the actual value you pass when calling the function (greet("Zaid")).

Q5. Write a function add_three that takes 3 numbers and returns their sum.

✅ Answer: def add_three(a, b, c): return a + b + c

Chapter 3: Conditions (if / elif / else)
Conditions let your program make decisions. Think of it like a traffic light — IF green, go. ELIF yellow, slow down.
ELSE, stop!

3.1 The if Statement

Runs a block of code ONLY if the condition is True.
EXAMPLE
age = 18

if age >= 18:

print("You can vote!")
OUTPUT
You can vote!

3.2 if / else
If the condition is True, do this. Otherwise, do that.
marks = 45

if marks >= 50:

print("Passed!")
else:
print("Failed. Try again!")
OUTPUT
Failed. Try again!

3.3 if / elif / else

For multiple conditions, use elif (else if). Python checks each condition in order and stops at the first True one.
score = 75

if score >= 90:

print("Grade: A")
elif score >= 75:
print("Grade: B")
elif score >= 60:
print("Grade: C")
else:
print("Grade: F")
OUTPUT
Grade: B
3.4 Comparison Operators
These are used inside conditions to compare values:
# == means equal to
print(5 == 5) # True

# != means NOT equal to

print(5 != 3) # True

# > greater than, < less than

print(10 > 7) # True
print(3 < 1) # False

# >= greater than or equal, <= less than or equal

print(5 >= 5) # True

3.5 Logical Operators

Combine multiple conditions using and, or, not.
age = 20
has_id = True

# and — BOTH must be True

if age >= 18 and has_id:
print("Entry allowed")

# or — at least ONE must be True

is_weekend = False
is_holiday = True
if is_weekend or is_holiday:
print("Shop is closed")

# not — reverses True/False

is_raining = False
if not is_raining:
print("Go for a walk!")

💡 Tip: Indentation is very important in Python! The code inside an if block must be indented (use 4
spaces or Tab).

Practice Questions

Q1. What keyword handles the 'otherwise' case in a condition?

✅ Answer: else — it runs when none of the if/elif conditions are True.
Q2. Write code to check if a number is positive, negative, or zero.

✅ Answer: if n > 0: print('Positive') elif n < 0: print('Negative') else: print('Zero')

Q3. What is the difference between = and == in Python?

✅ Answer: = assigns a value to a variable (x = 5). == compares two values to check if they are equal (x
== 5 gives True or False).

Q4. What does the and operator do?

✅ Answer: It returns True only when BOTH conditions are True. If even one is False, the result is
False.

Q5. Write a condition to check if a person's age is between 13 and 17 (teenager).

✅ Answer: if age >= 13 and age <= 17: print('Teenager')

Chapter 4: Loops
Loops let you repeat code automatically. Instead of writing print() 100 times, you write it once inside a loop and
it runs 100 times!

4.1 The for Loop

Use a for loop when you know how many times you want to repeat something, or when looping over a list.
EXAMPLE — LOOP THROUGH A LIST
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "mango"]

for fruit in fruits:

print("I love", fruit)
OUTPUT
I love apple
I love banana
I love mango

4.2 for loop with range()

range() generates a sequence of numbers. Perfect for repeating something a specific number of times.
# range(5) gives: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
for i in range(5):
print("Count:", i)

# range(1, 6) gives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
for i in range(1, 6):
print(i)

# range(0, 10, 2) gives: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8

for i in range(0, 10, 2):
print(i) # even numbers

4.3 The while Loop

A while loop keeps running AS LONG AS the condition is True. It's like saying: 'Keep doing this UNTIL something
changes.'
count = 1

while count <= 5:

print("Count is:", count)
count = count + 1 # very important! or it loops forever

print("Done!")
OUTPUT
Count is: 1
 Count is: 2
Count is: 3
Count is: 4
Count is: 5
Done!

4.4 break and continue

break — Stops the loop immediately. continue — Skips the current step and goes to the next.
# break example — stop at 3
for i in range(1, 10):
if i == 4:
break # stops loop when i is 4
print(i) # prints 1, 2, 3

# continue example — skip 3

for i in range(1, 6):
if i == 3:
continue # skips number 3
print(i) # prints 1, 2, 4, 5

4.5 Nested Loops

A loop inside another loop. The inner loop runs completely for each step of the outer loop.
for i in range(1, 4): # outer loop
for j in range(1, 4): # inner loop
print(i, "x", j, "=", i*j)
OUTPUT
1 x 1 = 1
1 x 2 = 2
1 x 3 = 3
2 x 1 = 2
...(continues)

💡 Tip: Use for when you know the number of repetitions. Use while when you repeat until a
condition changes.

Practice Questions

Q1. What does range(1, 5) produce?

✅ Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4 — range() stops BEFORE the last number.

Q2. Write a for loop to print numbers 1 to 10.

✅ Answer: for i in range(1, 11): print(i)

Q3. What keyword stops a loop immediately?

✅ Answer: break — it exits the loop as soon as it is reached.

Q4. Write a while loop that prints even numbers from 2 to 10.

✅ Answer: n = 2 while n <= 10: print(n) n += 2

Q5. What happens if you forget to update the counter in a while loop?

✅ Answer: It creates an infinite loop — the condition never becomes False, and the program keeps
running forever. Always make sure the loop variable changes!
Chapter 5: Classes & Objects
A class is like a blueprint. An object is the actual thing built from that blueprint. Think of a class as the design of a
car, and an object as a real car built from that design.

5.1 Creating a Class

Use the class keyword. Every class usually has a special method called __init__ which runs automatically when
you create an object.
EXAMPLE
class Dog:
# __init__ is the constructor — sets up the object
def __init__(self, name, breed):
[Link] = name # object's own variable
[Link] = breed

def bark(self):
print([Link], "says: Woof!")

def info(self):
print(f"Name: {[Link]}, Breed: {[Link]}")

5.2 Creating Objects

An object is a specific instance made from a class.
# Create two Dog objects
dog1 = Dog("Bruno", "Labrador")
dog2 = Dog("Max", "Poodle")

# Call their methods

[Link]() # Output: Bruno says: Woof!
[Link]() # Output: Max says: Woof!
[Link]() # Output: Name: Bruno, Breed: Labrador
OUTPUT
Bruno says: Woof!
Max says: Woof!
Name: Bruno, Breed: Labrador

5.3 self — What is it?

self refers to the current object. When you call [Link](), Python automatically passes dog1 as self. That's how
the method knows which dog to work with.
class Person:
def __init__(self, name, age):
[Link] = name # [Link] belongs to THIS object
[Link] = age
 def introduce(self):
print(f"Hi! I am {[Link]} and I am {[Link]} years old.")

p1 = Person("Zaid", 22)
p2 = Person("Riya", 20)
[Link]() # Hi! I am Zaid and I am 22 years old.
[Link]() # Hi! I am Riya and I am 20 years old.

5.4 Class Attributes vs Instance Attributes

Class attributes are shared by ALL objects. Instance attributes are unique to each object.
class Student:
school = "Python Academy" # Class attribute — same for all

def __init__(self, name, marks):

[Link] = name # Instance attribute — unique per object
[Link] = marks

s1 = Student("Ali", 90)
s2 = Student("Sara", 85)

print([Link]) # Python Academy

print([Link]) # Python Academy (same!)
print([Link]) # Ali
print([Link]) # Sara (different!)

5.5 Inheritance — Reusing Classes

A child class can inherit all properties and methods from a parent class, and add its own on top.
class Animal:
def __init__(self, name):
[Link] = name

def breathe(self):
print([Link], "breathes air.")

class Cat(Animal): # Cat inherits from Animal

def meow(self):
print([Link], "says: Meow!")

c = Cat("Whiskers")
[Link]() # Inherited from Animal!
[Link]() # Cat's own method
OUTPUT
Whiskers breathes air.
Whiskers says: Meow!

💡 Tip: Remember: class is the blueprint, object is the real thing. __init__ sets up each object, self
refers to the object itself.
Practice Questions

Q1. What is the purpose of __init__ in a class?

✅ Answer: It is the constructor — a special method that runs automatically when you create an
object. It sets up the object's initial attributes/data.

Q2. What does self mean inside a class method?

✅ Answer: self refers to the current object (instance) of the class. It lets methods access and modify
the object's own data.

Q3. Create a class Car with attributes brand and speed, and a method drive() that prints a message.

✅ Answer: class Car: def __init__(self, brand, speed): [Link] = brand [Link] =
speed def drive(self): print([Link], 'is driving at', [Link], 'km/h')

Q4. What is inheritance in Python?

✅ Answer: Inheritance lets a child class automatically get all properties and methods from a parent
class. This avoids code repetition.

Q5. What is the difference between a class attribute and an instance attribute?

✅ Answer: A class attribute is shared by ALL objects (defined directly in the class). An instance
attribute is unique to EACH object (defined inside __init__ using self).
Quick Reference — Python Cheat Sheet
A handy summary of everything covered in this guide. Keep this page bookmarked!

Variables & Types

x = 10 # int
y = 3.14 # float
name = "Zaid" # str
flag = True # bool
nums = [1,2,3] # list
info = {"a":1} # dict

Functions
def function_name(param1, param2):
# code here
return result

result = function_name(val1, val2)

Conditions
if condition1:
# code
elif condition2:
# code
else:
# code

Loops
# for loop
for item in collection:
# code

# for with range

for i in range(start, stop, step):
# code

# while loop
while condition:
# code
# update counter!

Classes
 class ClassName:
class_attr = 'shared'

def __init__(self, param):

self.instance_attr = param

def method(self):
return self.instance_attr

obj = ClassName('value')
[Link]()

Common Built-in Functions

print(x) # display output
input('msg') # get user input
len(x) # length of string/list
type(x) # check data type
int(x) # convert to integer
float(x) # convert to float
str(x) # convert to string
range(n) # generate numbers 0 to n-1
list(x) # convert to list

Operators Summary
# Arithmetic
+ - * / # add, subtract, multiply, divide
** # power (2**3 = 8)
% # modulus/remainder (10%3 = 1)
// # floor division (7//2 = 3)

# Comparison
== != > < >= <=

# Logical
and or not

🎉 Congratulations on completing Python for Beginners! 🎉

Keep practicing, keep building — happy coding!