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Python Programming Basics for Automation Engineers

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About This Course

The “Python Programming Basics for Automation Engineers” course is a comprehensive online training by ControlByte, created specifically for professionals in the industrial automation field. Learn Python from scratch and use it for PLC data analysis, report automation, and industrial system diagnostics.

The course is designed to be accessible to everyone – even if you have never programmed before. All examples and exercises are based on real industrial scenarios: sensor data, PLC alarms, machine diagnostics, and production reports.

The course program includes: First steps with Python – installation, VS Code, first program | Variables, data types, and operators | Conditional structures (if-elif-else) | Loops and iterations – process monitoring | Lists, tuples, and dictionaries – industrial data structures | Functions in Python – reusable code | Final project: PLC Data Analyzer | Bonus: Siemens S7 PLC Communication + Python

After completing the course, you will be able to write Python scripts for processing process data, generating CSV/HTML reports, and communicating with industrial devices. Industry giants trust us: Finder, Lenze, Pilz, DPD, Wieland.

Learning Objectives

Python programming from scratch – no prior experience required

Formatting process data using f-strings

Working with TXT and CSV files containing industrial data

Error and exception handling – creating reliable scripts

Console interface with ANSI colors – clear menus and messages for operators

Industrial data visualization in a web browser

Creating your own reusable functions and modules

Simulating data retrieval and processing from PLC registers

Real-world case of retrieving data from industrial devices with Python

Final project: complete Factory Data Analyzer – logging, data simulation, CSV and HTML reports

Requirements

No prerequisites – the course starts from scratch
A PC with internet access
Python installed (installation instructions included in the course)
Visual Studio Code installed (instructions included in the course)
Willingness to learn and readiness to complete practical exercises

Target Audience

Automation Engineers – essential skills for every professional automation engineer
Electricians – useful Python scripts for electrical calculations
Service Technicians – effective diagnostics and working with machine data
Maintenance Engineers – predicting failures with Python diagnostics
Machine Operators – career development towards programming
Students and graduates of technical fields – practical projects not taught in school
PLC Programmers – new possibilities with Python
Technical Sales Engineers – real understanding of programming and data
Control Cabinet Assemblers – first step into Python programming

Curriculum

192 Lessons23h 17m

Introduction to Python Programming

How to Join the Discord Support Forum00:1:42

What is Python and Example Applications in Industry00:9:39

Python Installation00:2:28

Installing the Visual Studio Code Editor00:1:16

Setting Up VSCode for Python Coding00:1:31

First Program ‘Hello World in Python’00:2:38

Exercise: print(‘Introduce Yourself in the ControlByte Community’)00:2:7

How to Download and Open Python Files for the Course?00:1:40

Displaying Data in Python – Introduction00:1:9

Basics of Displaying in CMD Console print(“AC Voltage”)00:2:17

Displaying Text and Numbers print(“Current”, 20.5, “A)00:2:11

Readable Message Formatting print(“-” * 42)00:2:50

Python Interpreter and Newline Character print(“\n”)00:4:7

Changing the Separator print(“PLC, HMI, sep=” — “)00:1:43

Line End Parameter print(“Sensor: OK, end=”…”)00:2:46

Task: Industrial Machine Startup Message00:5:40

Comments in Python According to PEP8

Data Types and Variables in Python

F-STRINGS – Professional Text Formatting in Python

Input

Arithmetic, Logical, and Comparison Operators

Conditional Statements IF, ELIF, ELSE

Loops and Iterations

Lists

Download Python Program Templates for LISTSPreview

Creating a List – lista = [1, 2, 3]Preview

Getting Elements from a List – lista[0], lista[-1]Preview

Checking How Many Elements a List Has – len(lista)Preview

Changing Values in a List – lista[2] = “new”Preview

List with Different Data Types – [“text”, 3.14, True]Preview

Adding Elements to a List – append() and insert()Preview

Removing Elements from a List – remove(), pop(), delPreview

Sorting and Reversing a List – sort() and reverse()Preview

Counting and Searching – count(), index(), clear()Preview

Iterating Through a List – for x in listaPreview

Index and Value in a Loop – for i, x in enumerate(lista)Preview

Filtering a List with a Condition – if x > 10 in a LoopPreview

Checking if an Element is in a List – if x in listaPreview

Slicing a List Fragment – lista[1:4]Preview

Slicing Every nth Element – lista[::2], lista[::-1]Preview

Slicing Shortcuts – lista[:3], lista[-2:], lista[:]Preview

Task: Production Trends AnalysisPreview

Lists (copy)

Download Python Program Templates for LISTSPreview

Creating a List – lista = [1, 2, 3]Preview

Getting Elements from a List – lista[0], lista[-1]Preview

Checking How Many Elements a List Has – len(lista)Preview

Changing Values in a List – lista[2] = “new”Preview

List with Different Data Types – [“text”, 3.14, True]Preview

Adding Elements to a List – append() and insert()Preview

Removing Elements from a List – remove(), pop(), delPreview

Sorting and Reversing a List – sort() and reverse()Preview

Counting and Searching – count(), index(), clear()Preview

Iterating Through a List – for x in listaPreview

Index and Value in a Loop – for i, x in enumerate(lista)Preview

Filtering a List with a Condition – if x > 10 in a LoopPreview

Checking if an Element is in a List – if x in listaPreview

Slicing a List Fragment – lista[1:4]Preview

Slicing Every nth Element – lista[::2], lista[::-1]Preview

Slicing Shortcuts – lista[:3], lista[-2:], lista[:]Preview

Task: Production Trends AnalysisPreview

Tuples

Dictionaries

Download Programs for DICTIONARIES ModulePreview

Creating a Dictionary – motor = {“name”: “Motor_M01”, …}Preview

Accessing Values – motor[“name”], motor.get(“voltage”)Preview

Adding and Changing Values – motor[“voltage”] = 400Preview

Removing Elements – del config[“debug”], config.pop(“timeout”)Preview

Checking Keys – “key” in dictionaryPreview

Methods keys(), values(), items() – Getting Keys and ValuesPreview

Iterating Through a Dictionary – for key, value in sensor.items()Preview

Merging Dictionaries – plc_config.update(new_settings)Preview

Size and Clearing – len(sensor), temp_data.clear()Preview

Parameter Table – Limits, Table Formatting, ValidationPreview

Searching by Value – if status == “FAULT”Preview

Building a Dictionary in a Loop – readings[name] = valuePreview

Filtering – Dictionary within Dictionary, production[“Line_1”][“completed”]Preview

Report with Ranking – sorted(), Comparing Line ResultsPreview

List of Dictionaries – [{…}, {…}], Sensor TablePreview

Dictionary of Lists – alarm_history[“Motor_M01”] = […]Preview

Building a List of Dictionaries – lista.append({…}), Event LogPreview

Project: Processing Machine Alarm Priorities

Functions

Download Program Templates for FUNCTIONSPreview

First Function – def, Call, startup_report()Preview

Function with Parameter – def check_temperature(temp)Preview

Multiple Parameters – def check_range(name, value, min_val, max_val)Preview

Functions in Practice – Sensor Report, report_header(), report_line()Preview

Returning Values – return, calc_average(), plan_percent()Preview

Default Parameter Values – def f(temp, alarm_threshold=80.0)Preview

Positional vs Named Arguments – f(x=1, y=2), Any OrderPreview

Returning Multiple Values – return avg, min_val, max_valPreview

Return in Practice – Production Calculator, efficiency(), evaluate_line()Preview

Variable Scope – Local and GlobalPreview

The global Keyword – global alarm_counter, Modifying Global VariablesPreview

Scope in Practice – Configuration Constants, diagnostic_report()Preview

Lambda – Short Anonymous Function, lambda x: x * 2Preview

Lambda with sorted(), min(), max() – Sorting by Dictionary FieldPreview

Lambda in Practice – filter(), map(), Performance RankingPreview

Project: Electric Motor Diagnostics

Files and Modules

Project: Logging and Measurement Analysis

Project: PLC Data Analyzer – Logging, Data Processing, User Interface, CSV/HTML Report

Bonus: Downloading and Processing Data from Siemens PLC

Add this certificate to your resume to demonstrate your skills & increase your chances of getting noticed.

Your Instructors

MSc. Matthew Kurantowicz

PLC Programming Teacher

4.86/5

5 Courses

59 Reviews

955 Students

ControlByte

Teacher

4.87/5

10 Courses

141 Reviews

166 Students

MSc. Jacob K. Biedulski

PLC Programming Teacher

4.9/5

9 Courses

124 Reviews

1135 Students

Python Programming Basics for Automation Engineers

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Requirements

Target Audience

Curriculum

Introduction to Python Programming

How to Join the Discord Support Forum00:1:42

What is Python and Example Applications in Industry00:9:39

Python Installation00:2:28

Installing the Visual Studio Code Editor00:1:16

Setting Up VSCode for Python Coding00:1:31

First Program ‘Hello World in Python’00:2:38

Exercise: print(‘Introduce Yourself in the ControlByte Community’)00:2:7

How to Download and Open Python Files for the Course?00:1:40

Displaying Data in Python – Introduction00:1:9

Basics of Displaying in CMD Console print(“AC Voltage”)00:2:17

Displaying Text and Numbers print(“Current”, 20.5, “A)00:2:11

Readable Message Formatting print(“-” * 42)00:2:50

Python Interpreter and Newline Character print(“\n”)00:4:7

Changing the Separator print(“PLC, HMI, sep=” — “)00:1:43

Line End Parameter print(“Sensor: OK, end=”…”)00:2:46

Task: Industrial Machine Startup Message00:5:40

Comments in Python According to PEP8

Python Comments – Introduction00:1:59

How to Download Python Programs for the Comments Module?

Single-line Comments and Docstrings00:5:33

Python PEP8 PDF Guide

Task: Machine Review – Add Comments00:1:42

Solution: Added Comments to Machine Review

Data Types and Variables in Python

Download Python Programs for Variables

Basic Types: int, float, str, bool00:6:3

How to Name Variables According to PEP8 Standard00:3:18

Calculations with Variables power = voltage * current00:3:50

Assigning Multiple Variables current, voltage, power = 10, 20, 3000:2:47

Task: Production Line Monitoring00:4:17

F-STRINGS – Professional Text Formatting in Python

Download Programs for F-STRING Module

F-string Basics print(“Temperature:”, temperature, “°C”)00:2:35Preview

Number Formatting f”Current: {current:.2f} A”00:2:40

F-string Calculations f”Efficiency: {produced / time_hours:.2f}00:2:12

F-string Alignment and Message Width00:4:5

Task: CNC Machine Diagnostic Message00:1:47

Solution: CNC Machine Diagnostic Message00:3:4

Input

Download Programs for input()

The input() Function – Entering Data from Keyboard00:3:34

Type Conversion int and float00:3:55

Type Conversion bool and str00:3:10

Task: Entering Machine Parameters00:2:16

Solution: Task – Entering Machine Parameters00:1:10

Arithmetic, Logical, and Comparison Operators

Download Programs for Operators

Arithmetic Operators: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication00:6:23

Integer Division Operator // and Modulo %00:6:24

Exponentiation Operator power_loss = (motor_current ** 2) * cable_resistance00:4:53

Operator Precedence00:2:27

Shorthand Operators00:2:20Preview

Logical OperatorsPreview

Comparison OperatorsPreview

Task: Conveyor Belt Work AnalysisPreview

Solution: Conveyor Belt Work AnalysisPreview

Conditional Statements IF, ELIF, ELSE

Download Programs for IF ELIF ELSEPreview

IF StatementPreview

IF ELSE StatementPreview

IF ELIF ELSE StatementPreview

Liquid Tank – Level CheckingPreview

Machine Operation Modes IF ELIF ELSE ConditionPreview

Comparison OperatorsPreview

Nested ConditionsPreview

Interactive DiagnosticsPreview

Task: System LoginPreview

Solution: System LoginPreview

Loops and Iterations

While Loop AnimationPreview

Download Programs for LoopsPreview

While LoopPreview

While Temperature MonitoringPreview