27 - Day 0 to Day 30 Bootstrap (Absolute Beginner Survival Plan)¶
Home: README
Path placeholder: <repo-root> means the folder containing this repository's README.md.
This plan is a literal first-month script. Execute, verify, log, repeat.
Day 0 (setup your learning system)¶
- Read README.md.
- Create one notes folder (example:
study-notes/). - Block 4 sessions/week in your calendar.
- Commit to this rule: no session ends without running code.
Days 1-3 (terminal + Python confidence)¶
Use commands exactly as written.
Windows PowerShell:
cd <repo-root>
python -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
python --version
python -c "print('hello from python')"
macOS/Linux:
cd <repo-root>
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python --version
python -c "print('hello from python')"
Android (Termux):
iOS (Pyto/Pythonista):
Expected output:
Platform rule for this 30-day bootstrap: - You can complete Days 0 to 30 on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS. - For later phases (SQL drivers, API ingestion, deployment), switch to Windows/macOS/Linux.
Days 4-7 (first script + first test)¶
cd <repo-root>/projects/level-0/01-terminal-hello-lab
python project.py --input data/sample_input.txt --output data/output_summary.json
pytest -q
Expected output:
If pytest fails:
1. Read the first failing test name.
2. Read the traceback line in project.py.
3. Fix one issue only.
4. Re-run pytest -q.
Week 2 (level 0 completion pattern)¶
Repeat this cycle for each level-0 project:
# example project; change folder for each project
cd <repo-root>/projects/level-0/02-calculator-basics
python project.py --input data/sample_input.txt --output data/output_summary.json
pytest -q
Break/fix drill: 1. Change one assumption in input or code. 2. Confirm behavior changes. 3. Fix and restore deterministic output.
Expected result by end of week: - At least 5 completed level-0 projects.
Week 3 (level 1 progression)¶
For each level-1 project: 1. Run baseline script. 2. Add one tiny validation improvement. 3. Add one test. 4. Re-run full test set.
Command template:
cd <repo-root>/projects/level-1/01-input-validator-lab
python project.py --input data/sample_input.txt --output data/output_summary.json
pytest -q
Expected result by end of week:
- You can explain if, loops, and functions in plain English.
Week 4 (level 2 mini-capstone behavior)¶
For each level-2 project: 1. Run baseline. 2. Add one transform rule. 3. Add one failure test. 4. Verify rerun safety.
Command template:
cd <repo-root>/projects/level-2/01-dictionary-lookup-service
python project.py --input data/sample_input.txt --output data/output_summary.json
pytest -q
Expected result by end of week: - You can build and stabilize a small pipeline-like script.
End-of-month gate (must pass)¶
You pass month one only when you can do this without docs:
1. Create/activate .venv.
2. Run one project script.
3. Run tests.
4. Break behavior intentionally.
5. Fix and explain root cause in writing.