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Python Academy · Lesson

The Python Standard Library

Explore built-in modules: os, sys, math, random, datetime.

The Python Standard Library is a free Python Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Python Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Introduction

Python ships with a vast standard library of modules covering file I/O, math, dates, random numbers, OS interaction, and more.

os Module

import os provides OS interaction: os.getcwd(), os.listdir(), os.environ, os.makedirs(), os.remove().
import os
print(os.getcwd())
print(list(os.environ)[:3])

sys Module

import sys gives sys.argv (command-line args), sys.path, sys.version, sys.exit().
import sys
print(sys.version)
print(sys.platform)

math Module

import math: math.sqrt, math.log, math.floor, math.ceil, math.pi, math.e, math.factorial.
import math
print(math.factorial(10))
print(math.log(100, 10))

random Module

random.randint(1,6), random.choice(list), random.shuffle(list), random.random() (0–1 float).
import random
print(random.randint(1, 6))
print(random.choice(['a','b','c']))

datetime Module

from datetime import datetime, date, timedelta. datetime.now() returns current datetime. Arithmetic with timedelta.
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
now = datetime.now()
print(now.strftime('%Y-%m-%d'))
print(now + timedelta(days=7))

collections Module

Counter, defaultdict, OrderedDict, namedtuple, deque — all in collections.
from collections import Counter, deque
c = Counter('abracadabra')
print(c.most_common(3))

itertools Module

itertools.chain, islice, product, permutations, combinations — lazy iterators for efficient looping.
import itertools
for combo in itertools.combinations([1,2,3], 2):
    print(combo)

json Module

json.dumps(obj) serializes to string. json.loads(s) parses. json.dump/load for files.
import json
d = {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 30}
s = json.dumps(d)
print(json.loads(s))

re Module

re.match, re.search, re.findall, re.sub for regular expressions.
import re
print(re.findall(r'\d+', 'abc 123 def 456'))

pathlib and os.path

pathlib.Path is the modern way to handle paths. os.path.join, exists, basename work for legacy code.
from pathlib import Path
print(Path.home())

Quick Check

Which module provides Counter, defaultdict, and deque?

Recap

Standard library highlights: os (filesystem/env), sys (interpreter), math, random, datetime, collections (Counter/defaultdict), itertools, json, re, pathlib.

Keep Going

Excellent! Continue to the next lesson to deepen your skills.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “The Python Standard Library” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “The Python Standard Library” is free to read here on the web, and the Python Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Python Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “The Python Standard Library”?

Explore built-in modules: os, sys, math, random, datetime. You practise Python Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Python Academy?

No prior experience is required. Python Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “The Python Standard Library” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this Python Academy lesson?

Yes. Every Python Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

  1. Creating and Importing Modules
  2. The Python Standard Library
  3. Packages and __init__.py
  4. Installing Packages with pip
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