# Day 2: Variables, Data Types & Conditionals in Python — With a Real Project!

Hillary Nartey — Mon, 18 May 2026 14:44:02 +0000

By Hillary Nartey | AI Data Specialist in Training

Welcome Back!

This is Day 2 of my Python learning journey. If you missed Day 1, I shared how I got started, the free tools I am using, and why I chose Python as my first programming language.

Today I covered three important Python basics:

Variables
Data Types
Conditionals (if, elif, else)

And the best part? I built a small real-world project to practice everything together!

Variables

A variable is simply a container that stores a value. Think of it like a labeled box where you keep information.

name = "Hillary"
age = 25
price = 9.99

Each of these is a variable. name stores text, age stores a whole number, and price stores a decimal number.

Data Types

In Python, every value has a data type. Here are the basic ones I learned today:

Data Type	Example	Description
`int`	`25`	Whole numbers
`float`	`9.99`	Decimal numbers
`str`	`"Hillary"`	Text (string)
`bool`	`True / False`	Yes or No values

You can also tell Python exactly what type a variable should be. For example:

amount: int = int(input("Enter your shopping amount: "))

Here I am telling Python that amount should be an integer, and I am converting the user's input into one using int().

Conditionals (if, elif, else)

Conditionals let your program make decisions. It checks a condition and runs different code depending on whether it is TRUE or FALSE.

The basic structure looks like this:

if condition:
    # do this
elif another_condition:
    # do this instead
else:
    # do this if nothing above is true

My Mini Project: Shopping Discount Calculator 🛒

To practice everything I learned today, I built a simple shopping discount calculator. It takes the amount a customer spends and automatically calculates their discount and final price.

amount: int = int(input("Enter your shopping amount: "))

if amount < 50:
    discount = 0
    print("No discount")
elif amount >= 50 and amount <= 99:
    discount = 0.10
    print("You have 10% discount")
elif amount >= 100 and amount <= 199:
    discount = 0.20
    print("You have 20% discount")
else:
    discount = 0.30
    print("You have 30% discount")

final = amount * (1 - discount)

if final > 150:
    print("You are a big spender")
else:
    print("Great deal")

print(f"Your final price is: ${final}")

How it works:

The user enters how much they are spending
The program checks which discount range they fall into
It calculates the final price after the discount
It also checks if the final amount makes them a "big spender."

For example, if you enter $120:

You get a 20% discount
Your final price becomes $96.00
And you get a "Great deal" message!

What I Learned From This Project

Building this small project taught me more than just reading about variables and conditionals. I learned how to:

Take user input with input()
Convert data types using int()
Use multiple conditions with elif
Combine conditions using and.
Calculate values using arithmetic operators
Display results using f-strings like f"Your final price is: ${final}".

Key Takeaways from Day 2

Variables store information that your program can use
Data types tell Python what kind of information is being stored
Conditionals allow your program to make decisions
The best way to learn is to build something — even something small!

What's Coming on Day 3?

Next, I plan to cover:

Lists — storing multiple values in one variable
Loops — repeating actions automatically
Another small project to practice!

Thanks for following along! If you are also a beginner, drop a comment below — let's learn together! 🚀

Written by Hillary Nartey | AI Data Specialist in Training

From Zero to Python: My Beginner Journey as a New Learner

Hillary Nartey — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:35:04 +0000

Who Am I and Why Am I Writing This?

Hi everyone, my name is Hillary Nartey, and I just started learning Python a few days ago. Yes, just a few days ago, I was a complete beginner.

I decided to document my journey from day one so that other newbies like me can follow along, learn from my mistakes, and hopefully feel less alone in the process. If you are thinking about learning Python and don't know where to start, this post is for you.

Why Python?

I chose Python because it is one of the most beginner-friendly programming languages out there. It is widely used in data science, web development, automation, and artificial intelligence, so learning it opens a lot of doors.

I want to build real skills that are useful in today's world, and Python felt like the perfect starting point.

The Tools I Am Using

You don't need to spend any money to start learning Python. Here are the free tools I am using:

Google Colab
This is a free online tool that lets you write and run Python code directly in your browser, no installation needed. It is perfect for beginners because you can just open it and start coding right away.

colab.research.google.com
Coursera (Free Audit)
I am taking Python courses on Coursera for free by using the audit option. When you open a course, look for a small "Audit" link below the enroll button. You get access to all the video lectures and most course materials — without paying a cent.

A great beginner course to look for is "Python for Everybody" by the University of Michigan.
coursera.org

I tried installing #Anaconda on my laptop, but was facing difficulty that why I opted for Colab

What I Have Learned So Far

I have only been at this for a few days, but here is what I have covered so far:

What Python is and why it is popular
How to write your first line of code: `print("Hello, World!").
Basic Python syntax and how to run code in Google Colab
Variables and data types (strings, integers, floats)

It might not sound like much, but every expert started exactly where I am right now.

My First Python Code

Here is the very first piece of code I wrote:

python print("Hello, World!")

Simple, right? But seeing those words appear on the screen for the first time felt amazing. It made everything feel real.

What's Next?

I plan to keep learning step by step and document everything here. Coming up next:

Python lists, loops, and conditions
Writing simple functions
Mini beginner projects

A Message to Other Beginners

If you are just starting like me, don't be discouraged by how much there is to learn. Focus on one small thing at a time. Celebrate the small wins. And don't be afraid to make mistakes,__ that's how we learn.

You don't have to be an expert to start. You just have to start.

Follow along with my journey, and let's learn Python together.

Written by Hillary Nartey | Beginner Python Learner
Feel free to leave a comment if you are also just starting. Let's connect!

DEV Community: Hillary Nartey