Learning to program in Python is not just about reading documentation or watching tutorials. Constant practice through exercises is key to strengthening your knowledge and developing logical thinking. Whether you’re just starting out or already have experience, these 10 Python exercises will help you improve your skills effectively.
Why is practicing with exercises the best way to learn Python?
When learning Python — or any other programming language — there’s a big difference between understanding the theory and knowing how to apply it. You might know what a “for” loop is, but it’s only by using it several times in different contexts that you truly understand its usefulness and limitations.
Practicing with Python exercises is one of the most effective ways to learn, because it forces you to think logically and sharpen your problem-solving skills. As you face different challenges, you also learn to identify common mistakes and improve your debugging abilities, which boosts your confidence when writing and correcting code. Plus, it helps you strengthen core concepts like conditionals, loops, and functions, while also giving you the chance to experiment with modules, libraries, and tools that expand your horizons. Best of all, it allows you to track your progress and tackle increasingly complex challenges, keeping your motivation to improve alive.
In short, practice is the bridge between knowledge and real skill.
10 Python Exercises to Test Your Logic and Technical Skills
Here’s a list of 10 Python exercises that cover different levels of difficulty. If you’re up for the challenge, try solving them on your own first!
Exercise 1: Write a program that prints the message “Hello world!” to the screen.
Exercise 2: Write a program that stores the message “Hello world!” in a variable and then prints the content of that variable.
Exercise 3: Write a program that asks the user for their name and then prints the message “Hello <name>!”, where <name> is the user’s input.
Exercise 4: Write a program that asks the user for the number of hours worked and the hourly rate. Then, calculate and display the total pay.
Exercise 5: Write a function that counts how many vowels are in a given sentence.
Exercise 6: Create a program that performs basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) based on user input.
Exercise 7: Given a list of numbers, find which numbers are repeated and how many times.
Exercise 8: Write a game where the user has to guess a random number between 1 and 100.
Exercise 9: Convert a temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit and vice versa, with input validation.
Exercise 10: Write a program that asks the user for an amount to invest, annual interest rate, and number of years, then displays the final amount after the investment.
Tip: Start with the easiest ones and increase the difficulty step by step. The goal is not to finish quickly, but to understand the process!
Have You Solved Them All? Here’s How to Take Your Code to the Next Level
If you’ve completed these exercises, congratulations! You’re on the right path. But learning doesn’t stop here. Here are a few ways to keep improving as a Python developer:
- Optimize your code: Can you make it faster, more readable, or more efficient?
- Compare your solution with others: Check platforms like GitHub or Stack Overflow to see how others solve the same problem.
- Add interfaces or external files: For example, instead of using in-memory data, can you read from a .txt or .csv file?
- Use popular libraries like pandas, matplotlib, or requests.
- Join online challenges: Platforms like NinjaChallenge offer real-world challenges to push your level even further.
And if you’re ready to take your learning to the next level, consider joining a specialized bootcamp like APICamp by APIAddicts, or start building your own personal projects.