• raspberry pi
  • National Centre for Computing Education logo

Programming 103: Saving and Structuring Data

Learn how to save and structure data in external files, and import files back into your Python programs. Supported by Google.

15,154 enrolled on this course

Icons representing CSV, TXT and JSON files, overlaid over some python code
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours

Discover how to save data to use it across multiple runs of your program

On this course, you will learn how to save text and binary files, and how to structure data so that programs can interpret it correctly.

You will explore various common types of structured files, including CSV and JSON, and also find out how to connect to a SQL database to use it in your Python programs.

Download video: standard or HD

What topics will you cover?

  • Creating, reading from, and writing to files using Python
  • The importance of data persistence
  • Structuring data using CSV files, Python dictionaries, and JSON files
  • How data structures aid compatibility between systems
  • Interacting with databases using SQL and Python

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate how to use Python to store and retrieve persistent data
  • Describe the importance of data persistence and where it is used
  • Compare different types of structured data
  • Modify a program to store data in a JSON file
  • Perform operations on a database using SQL statements

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for those who have a little Python experience and are comfortable using functions with parameters–as covered in our Programming 102 course. Please note: screengrabs and recorded screencasts are key elements of this course.

What do people say about this course?

You make it all seem so easy.

"Another great course. You make it all seem so easy and you make it a lot easier for me to explain all this to my students. Thank you"

Who will you learn with?

Eirini is a Learning Manager at Raspberry Pi. An ex-teacher and marketing person, she cares about getting more girls into Computing. She loves the outdoors; dancing, swimming and walking in nature.

Who developed the course?

Raspberry Pi Foundation

The Raspberry Pi Foundation works to put the power of digital making into the hands of people all over the world, so they are capable of understanding and shaping our increasingly digital world.

National Centre for Computing Education

This course is part of the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). Funded by the Department for Education and partners, we aim to change the way computing is taught in schools across England, and enable more young people to benefit from studying this important subject.

If you are a teacher in England you can get free upgraded access to this course, and use it towards NCCE certification. To do this, you must join the course through the Teach Computing website

Endorsers and supporters

supported by

Google logo

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

You can use the hashtag #RPiLearn to talk about this course on social media.