Module 1: Python Foundations for Data Engineering

This module introduces Python from scratch with a focus on how it is used in Data Engineering. For
every concept, we will cover both a technical example (real-world IT use case) and a non-technical
example (daily life analogy) so that understanding becomes simple and practical.

Why Python for Data Engineering?

Python is widely used because of its simplicity, large ecosystem of libraries, and ability to integrate
with databases, big data tools, and cloud platforms.

• Technical Example: Using Python to write a data pipeline script that moves data from MySQL
into Hadoop HDFS.
• Non-Technical Example: Using a simple calculator instead of a complex scientific tool to solve
daily arithmetic – Python makes hard tasks easier.

Python Basics: Variables, Loops, Functions

Python provides simple syntax for storing values, repeating tasks, and organizing logic into
functions.

• Technical Example: A loop that processes 10,000 log lines from a server and extracts IP
addresses.
• Non-Technical Example: Writing a shopping list (variables), repeating the task of buying
groceries for each item (loop), and packaging all steps into a recipe (function).

Working with Data Structures

Python’s lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets allow efficient storage and manipulation of data.

• Technical Example: Use a dictionary to map student IDs to their marks in a database pipeline.
• Non-Technical Example: Think of a list as your grocery bag (items in order), a dictionary as your
phone contacts (name → number), and a set as a basket of unique fruits (no duplicates).

File Handling (CSV, JSON, Logs)

Python can read, write, and process files such as CSVs, JSON, and system logs which are
essential in data workflows.

• Technical Example: Reading a CSV sales file, cleaning missing values, and saving back a
processed version.
• Non-Technical Example: Reading a diary (input), correcting spelling mistakes (processing), and
writing a neat copy (output).

Libraries for Data: Pandas & NumPy

Specialized Python libraries simplify working with large datasets and numerical operations.
• Technical Example: Use Pandas DataFrame to clean millions of rows of transaction records.
Use NumPy arrays to perform fast matrix operations.
• Non-Technical Example: Instead of manually calculating each student’s average, imagine an
Excel sheet formula doing all calculations instantly.

Mini Project
Practical Task: Read a raw CSV log file, clean missing values using Pandas, and save the cleaned
output into a new file. This introduces real-world Python usage in data pipelines.

• Technical Example: Cleaning a website’s user activity log before storing it into a database.
• Non-Technical Example: Cleaning and arranging your messy wardrobe before putting clothes
back neatly.