12 Beginner Python Projects - Coding Course

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you improve your Python skills through 12 beginner-friendly projects. Each project focuses on different programming concepts, making it a practical way to learn Python while having fun. Whether you’re a complete novice or looking to sharpen your skills, these projects will provide you with a hands-on experience that builds your coding confidence.

Step 1: Create a Madlibs Game

• Overview: Madlibs is a fun word game where you fill in the blanks to create humorous stories.
• Implementation:
  1. Define a template story with placeholders for words (nouns, verbs, adjectives).
  2. Use the input() function to collect words from the user.
  3. Replace the placeholders in the story with the user-provided words.
  4. Print the completed story.

Code Example:

story = f"Once upon a time, there was a {adjective} {noun} who {verb} in the {place}."

Step 2: Build Guess the Number (Computer)

• Overview: In this project, the computer randomly selects a number, and the player tries to guess it.
• Implementation:
  1. Import the random module.
  2. Generate a random number between 1 and 100.
  3. Prompt the user to guess the number and provide feedback (higher/lower).
  4. Keep track of the number of attempts until the user guesses correctly.

Code Example:

import random
number = random.randint(1, 100)
guess = int(input("Guess a number between 1 and 100: "))

Step 3: Build Guess the Number (User)

• Overview: This variation allows the player to think of a number while the computer guesses.
• Implementation:
  1. Have the user think of a number and specify a range.
  2. The computer makes guesses, and the user provides feedback.
  3. Continue until the computer guesses the correct number.

Code Example:

low = 1
high = 100
while True:
    guess = (low + high) // 2
    response = input(f"Is {guess} your number? (yes, higher, lower): ")

Step 4: Create Rock Paper Scissors Game

• Overview: This classic game allows the user to play against the computer.
• Implementation:
  1. Import the random module.
  2. Define the options: Rock, Paper, Scissors.
  3. Get user input and randomly select a choice for the computer.
  4. Determine the winner based on the rules of the game.

Code Example:

choices = ["rock", "paper", "scissors"]
computer_choice = random.choice(choices)

Step 5: Develop Hangman Game

• Overview: A word-guessing game where players try to guess a word within a limited number of attempts.
• Implementation:
  1. Select a random word from a predefined list.
  2. Display underscores for each letter in the word.
  3. Allow the user to guess letters and reveal them in the word.
  4. Track the number of incorrect guesses.

Code Example:

word = random.choice(word_list)
display = "_" * len(word)

Step 6: Create Tic-Tac-Toe Game

• Overview: A simple two-player game played on a 3x3 grid.
• Implementation:
  1. Create a grid representation (list of lists).
  2. Alternate turns between players.
  3. Check for a winner after each move.
  4. Display the grid after each turn.

Code Example:

grid = [[" " for _ in range(3)] for _ in range(3)]

Step 7: Develop Tic-Tac-Toe AI

• Overview: Enhance the Tic-Tac-Toe game by adding a computer opponent.
• Implementation:
  1. Implement a basic AI that randomly selects an empty spot.
  2. Use strategies to block the player or make winning moves.

Step 8: Implement Binary Search

• Overview: An efficient algorithm for finding an item from a sorted list.
• Implementation:
  1. Take a sorted list and a target value.
  2. Implement the binary search algorithm to find the target.

Code Example:

def binary_search(arr, target):
    low, high = 0, len(arr) - 1
    while low <= high:
        mid = (low + high) // 2
        if arr[mid] < target:
            low = mid + 1
        elif arr[mid] > target:
            high = mid - 1
        else:
            return mid
    return -1

Step 9: Create Minesweeper Game

• Overview: A classic puzzle game where the player uncovers squares without triggering mines.
• Implementation:
  1. Create a grid with hidden mines.
  2. Allow the player to select squares and reveal their contents.
  3. Implement game-over conditions when a mine is triggered.

Step 10: Develop Sudoku Solver

• Overview: A program that can solve Sudoku puzzles using backtracking algorithms.
• Implementation:
  1. Create a function to check if placing a number is valid.
  2. Use recursion to fill the Sudoku grid.

Step 11: Create Photo Manipulation in Python

• Overview: Use libraries like PIL (Pillow) to edit images and apply filters.
• Implementation:
  1. Install Pillow library.
  2. Open an image and apply transformations (resize, rotate, filter).

Code Example:

from PIL import Image
img = Image.open("image.jpg")
img = img.rotate(90)

Step 12: Build Markov Chain Text Composer

• Overview: Generate text based on Markov chains, which model the probability of sequence occurrences.
• Implementation:
  1. Read in a body of text and create a Markov model.
  2. Generate new text sequences based on the model.

Conclusion

By completing these 12 projects, you will gain practical experience in Python programming. Each project not only helps you understand Python concepts but also enhances your problem-solving skills. Start with the simpler projects, like Madlibs or Guess the Number, and gradually move to more complex ones like Minesweeper and Sudoku Solver. Happy coding!