Shameel Uddin

Posted on Jan 28 • Originally published at blog.hasab.tech

Python OOP Prerequisites: The Essential Checklist for Beginners

#python #programming #webdev #coding

Before diving head-first into the world of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), you need a solid grasp of a few "bread and butter" Python concepts. Think of it like building a house: you can't install the roof (OOP) until you’ve laid the foundation (Basics).

Don’t worry this series is designed for beginners. You don’t need to be a senior dev to get started, but having these few tools in your belt will make the transition to OOP feel like a breeze rather than a climb.

Core Python Basics You Should Know

To get the most out of this OOP series, ensure you're comfortable with the following three pillars:

1. Variables and Data Types

In OOP, we store data inside "Objects." To do that, you must understand how Python handles data. You should be familiar with:

Strings: For names and descriptions.
Integers/Floats: For counts, ages, or prices.
Booleans: For "True/False" logic (essential for state management).
Lists: For storing collections of objects.

Why it matters: In OOP, these variables will eventually become Attributes the characteristics that define your objects.

2. Functions in Python

Functions are the "actions" of your code. Before moving to OOP, you should know:

How to define a function (def).
How to pass arguments (positional and keyword).
How to return values to use elsewhere.

Why it matters: In the OOP world, functions living inside a class are called Methods. If you can write a function, you’re already 80% of the way to writing a class method.

3. Working with Dictionaries

You should understand how Key-Value pairs work because:

Dictionaries represent structured data.
Internally, Python actually uses dictionaries to store object attributes.

If you can pull a value from a dictionary using a key, you'll find the logic of accessing object properties very familiar.

What You Do NOT Need to Know

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the vast Python ecosystem. You do not need to master these before starting this series:

Advanced Decorators or Generators: We’ll keep things simple.
Web Frameworks: No Django or FastAPI knowledge is required.
Database Management: We won’t be touching SQL or NoSQL in the beginning.

Our focus is strictly on Core Python OOP step by step.

Setup & Environment

Before we write our first class, make sure your environment is ready:

Python Installed: Ensure you have Python 3.x on your machine.
Terminal Access: You should be comfortable running a script via python filename.py.
Code Editor: Use whatever you like (VS Code, PyCharm, or even a simple text editor). No complex setup or heavy IDE configuration is required.

// Run this to check your Python version
import sys
print("Python version") //Should be 3.7 or higher

How to Master This Series

To truly "level up" your skills, don't just be a spectator. Engage with the content:

Follow the Sequence: Concepts build on each other. Don't skip ahead!
The "Type-Along" Rule: Never just read the code. Type it out. Muscle memory is a real thing in programming.
Break Things: Change a value, delete a colon, or rename a variable. Seeing how the code breaks is the fastest way to learn how to fix it.

Resources & Practice

We believe in Hands-on Learning. To support you:

All code examples are available on our GitHub repository.
Links to the code are provided in our YouTube series descriptions.
Clone it, fork it, or copy it just make sure you practice it.

Final Note

Object Oriented Programming isn't just a syntax change; it’s a mindset shift. It will help you write cleaner, reusable, and more professional code. Stay consistent, keep practicing, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

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