Python Master Classes - In Chicago

And Now For Something Completely Better

Join Python book author and software developer David Beazley for a unique training experience that's guaranteed to take your Python knowledge to a new level. These courses represent the culmination of Dave's more than 14 years of experience writing and teaching Python. Unlike a typical training course, these classes are held at Dave's personal office and are strictly limited to 6 people. Thus, it's an opportunity to learn with someone who knows Python inside-out, is respected by the community, and can answer your questions in a highly personal setting. Plus, there are other ammenities including close proximity to all of the restaurants and cafes in Chicago's distinctive Andersonville neighborhood. You won't be disappointed.

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Practical Python Programming

[4 days] An intense no-bull Python course for programmers, sysadmins, scientists, and engineers who want to know how to use Python to solve all manner of practical problems. Topics are aimed at tasks that you face on a day-to-day basis. For example, analyzing data files, encoding/decoding various file formats, accessing databases, scraping web pages, automating system tasks, integrating Python with legacy software, and more. Even if you already know some Python, you will walk away from this course with new insight and ideas. This is the same course that Dave regularly teaches on-site for government and corporate clients. The course features a 300 page guidebook and more than 50 hands on exercises.

Advanced Python Mastery

[4 days] So you learned Python from an online tutorial, a training course, or from a book, but you want to learn more. Then this is the course for you. Designed for working programmers who want to take their understanding to a whole new level, you'll learn what really makes Python tick. The course starts out by looking at subtle aspects of the Python code you are already writing, but then dives into a wide variety of advanced topics including the object model, data encapsulation, descriptors, generators, coroutines, context managers, decorators, metaclasses, packages, closures, and more. By the end of the course, you'll not only know what these features are, but how they can be applied to a wide range practical programming problems. Includes a 325 page guidebook and more than 50 hands on exercises.

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Practical Python Programming Plus Django

[5 days] A course that combines material from the Practical Python Programming course (see above) with a two day hands-on introduction to Django. For the Django component, Dave is joined by Chad Glendenin and Rodrigo Guzman, the founders of PyBrew, a Chicago-area Django development company. Students will go through the basics to the not-so-basics of putting together a Django web application. Topics include databases and the data-model abstraction layer, processing web requests in the view layer, handling user interaction through forms, reusing pluggable Django applications, the template language, project organization, best practices, and tricks of the trade. This might be the ultimate course for anyone who wants to learn both Python and Django all at once.

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About The Instructor

Classes are taught by David Beazley, author of the acclaimed Python Essential Reference and member of the Python Software Foundation. David has been actively involved with the Python community since 1996 and is the guilty party responsible for Swig, a compiler for integrating Python with C/C++. From 1990-1997, he worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory where he ported Python to run on massively parallel supercomputing systems. From 1998-2005, he was an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago where he taught courses in operating systems, networks, and compilers. Dave has previously taught tutorials at PyCON, OSCON, USENIX LISA, and the USENIX Technical Conference. He currently operates Dabeaz LLC, a company that specializes in Python training and software development.

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What Are Classes Like?

All classes are strictly limited to 6 students--a size that makes it easier to interact with others and to have your questions answered. All-day courses run from 9am-5pm each day with two coffee breaks and a lunch break. Half-day courses run from 12pm-5pm and include a lunch introduction and a coffee break. In most courses, more than half of the time is spent programming and using Python. Come ready to code.

Although you can certainly learn Python from a book or online tutorial, a class gives you a unique opportunity to meet other programmers, make connections with the larger Python community, find out about bleeding-edge topics, and to gain insight from an experienced Python developer.

About The Venue

Classes are held at Dave's office, located on the second floor of the historic Calo Theater building in the heart of Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Located 8 miles north of downtown, Andersonville is filled with quality independent restaurants, cafes, bakeries, pubs, and boutiques. It's also the perfect place to attend a class and to relax afterwards. You will find the setting to be quite different than what you normally find at work, a conference, or a corporate training center.

Classroom facilities include a 10-ft conference table, mesh office chairs, a large projection screen, wireless internet, a copy/fax machine, and a Curta. Want to look something up in a book? There is a technical library of several hundred programming titles including most of the major Python books in publication. Need to relax after the Spanish Inquisition? Chill out in the comfy chair.

What You Need to Bring

All you need to bring is yourself and a laptop computer. All classes involve a signficant amount of coding, so bring a computer that you use regularly. Almost all course material is cross platform and works equally well on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

More Information

For more information and general inquiries, please send email to "dave" at "dabeaz.com". You can also consult the Frequently Asked Questions.