Getting Started with Data Analysis Using Python 2

Build practical Python 2 data analysis skills

Duration 2h 23m Rating (4.5) Price Included with subscription on Pluralsight
Created by Terry Toy
Last updated 2024-07-22
Platform: Pluralsight Topic: Data Science Skills: Python SQLite

Getting Started with Data Analysis Using Python 2 introduces Python-based workflows for gathering, cleaning, persisting, and visualizing data. The course uses practical demonstrations with CSV and pickle files, SQLite databases, and the pygal library to teach these techniques through stock-market examples.

This demo-driven course focuses on task-oriented skills so learners can programmatically collect datasets, persist and query them, apply lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets for analysis, and generate readable charts with pygal. It is well suited to beginners seeking a compact, hands-on introduction and to developers maintaining legacy Python 2 environments who want concise, applicable guidance for small analytics projects.

At a Glance

Getting Started with Data Analysis Using Python 2 is an introductory Pluralsight course that demonstrates how to use Python to collect, clean, analyze, and visualize data.

It is taught by Terry Toy and covers core topics such as Python data structures, persisting data with CSV and SQLite, basic SQL usage, and creating simple charts with pygal.

Level Beginner
Rating 4.5 out of 5
Duration 2+ hours
Languages English
Certificate Certificate of completion
Access Access for as long as your subscription is active
Course includes
  • Video lessons
  • Demonstrations and code walkthroughs
  • Examples using CSV, SQLite, and pygal
Price Subscription-based, monthly or annual plans

What This Course Teaches

This course frames outcomes as practical, measurable competencies you can apply immediately to real datasets.

By course end you will collect data programmatically, persist and query it with CSV/pickle/SQLite, apply core Python data structures to analyze stock-market datasets, and build visualizations with pygal.

Data Collection
Collect stock market and external datasets programmatically for analysis.
Data Persistence
Persist datasets to CSV and pickle files to enable reproducible workflows.
SQL & SQLite
Execute basic SQL queries and manage data using SQLite and DB Browser.
Core Data Structures
Apply lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets to structure and manipulate data for analysis.
Market Data Analysis
Analyze stock market time-series to compute summary statistics and identify trends.
Data Visualization
Build charts and graphs with pygal to communicate analytical findings clearly.

How the Course Is Structured

The course is organized into eight compact modules that move learners through setup, data collection, persistence, analysis, and visualization in a linear, demo-driven progression. In total the syllabus lists 8 modules and about 2 hours 23 minutes of video content.

Curriculum overview

01Course Overview1m

Orientation to course goals, structure, and how to approach the material.

02Introduction to Python Data Analysis10m

Covers Python version checks, installing and running scripts, and initial setup for the course.

03Collecting Stock Market Data12m

Introduces sources for market data, demonstrates fetching data programmatically, and writing data to files.

04Understanding Python Data Structures44m

Explains and demonstrates lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets and how to use them for analysis tasks.

05Persisting Data in Databases and Files39m

Shows file-based persistence, using pickle, basic SQL and SQLite workflows, and tools like DB Browser for SQLite.

06Analyzing Stock Market Data17m

Walks through analysis techniques on stock-market datasets with a demo to compute insights and summaries.

07Building Simple Data Visualizations14m

Demonstrates chart basics and creating stock-market visualizations using the pygal library.

08Course Summary and Next Steps3m

Final review of key concepts and suggested next steps for continued learning.

Audience & Requirements

This beginner Pluralsight course is aimed at learners seeking a practical, hands-on introduction to using Python for collecting, persisting, analyzing, and visualizing real-world datasets.

It targets beginners who want to add concrete data-handling and charting skills (CSV, SQLite, pygal) that are immediately applicable to small analytics projects and stock-market examples.

Who It’s For
  • Aspiring data analysts and business analysts adding Python-based workflows to their toolkit.
  • Developers or analysts who need practical data-persistence and simple visualization skills for small projects.
  • Students and hobbyists exploring stock-market datasets and basic analytics.
  • Professionals automating simple data collection and reporting tasks.
What You’ll Need
  • A Python 2 environment installed and configured to run scripts (course title specifies Python 2).
  • DB Browser for SQLite (or equivalent) to examine and manage local SQLite databases.
  • Basic comfort running Python scripts from the command line or terminal.
  • A code editor (Visual Studio Code or similar) for viewing and editing examples.

Final Verdict

This course is a practical, demo-driven primer that delivers concrete, task-oriented skills for learners wanting a compact introduction to data collection, persistence, analysis, and basic visualization in Python.

Given its focused syllabus and generally positive rating, it’s a worthwhile, low-friction option for beginners—especially those who need to work with or understand legacy Python 2 code—provided you already use or are willing to subscribe to the host platform for access and the included certificate.

Course Details

Platform Pluralsight
Rating (4.5)
Duration 2h 23m
Level Beginner
Language English
Price Included with subscription
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