Detailed Python Web Scraping Tutorial From Beginner To Master

I chose to learn Python targeting web scraping because the thought process of scraping is fixed, and the programming model is relatively simple. Generally, you can succeed by accumulating some experience in detail handling.

1. Correct Understanding of Python Web Scraping

Python web scraping? Why is it called scraping? I was quite puzzled when I first heard this name.

Literally, scraping is like a bug crawling around, so it’s called scraping?

(Get Python tutorials and monetization tools at the end of the article) (Get Python tutorials and monetization tools at the end of the article)(Get Python tutorials and monetization tools at the end of the article)

Simply put, a scraper is like a detection machine. Its basic operation is to simulate human behavior to wander around various websites, click buttons, check data, and then bring back the information seen.

In fact, it’s very similar to the bugs mentioned above crawling around, so the name Python web scraper is quite vivid.

2. Understanding the Essence of Scraping

The essence of scraping is to simulate a browser opening a webpage and obtaining the part of the data we want from the webpage.

The process of a browser opening a webpage: when you enter an address in the browser, it goes through the DNS server to find the server host, sends a request to the server, and after parsing, the server sends the results back to the user’s browser, including html, js, css, and other file contents, which the browser parses to present the final result to the user.

So the result that users see in the browser is composed of HTML code, and we scrape to obtain this content by analyzing and filtering the HTML code to get the resources we want.

To learn Python web scraping, you need to solve the following four questions:

1. Familiarize Yourself with Python Programming

Familiarizing yourself with Python programming, Python is a computer programming language. It is an object-oriented dynamically typed language, originally designed for writing automation scripts (shell). With continuous updates and the addition of new features, it is increasingly used for independent, large project development.

So Python programming is to perform computer programming using the Python language.

2. Understand HTML

Understanding HTML, HTML is a language used to describe webpages.

HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language.

HTML is not a programming language, but a markup language (markup language)

A markup language is a set of markup tags.

HTML uses markup tags to describe webpages.

3. Understand the Basic Principles of Web Crawling

The basic principle of a web crawler is an important part of the search engine crawling system. The main purpose of a crawler is to download webpages from the internet to form a local mirror backup of the content. This blog provides a simple overview of crawlers and crawling systems.

A general web crawler framework is shown in the figure:

4. Learn to Use Python Scraping Libraries

Python scraping libraries, requests is a simple and easy-to-use HTTP library implemented in Python. It is much simpler to use than urllib because it is a third-party library, so it needs to be installed via cmd, finding the path in the Scripts folder of your Python installation path:

3. Correctly Assess If Python Scraping is Suitable for You

The most important and simplest step to start with Python scraping is to have an interest in Python scraping! Interest!

As a seasoned Python scraping enthusiast, I believe that no matter what you learn, you should start with interest and persist, only then can you truly master it.

When you first start with scraping, you don’t even need to learn more difficult content like classes, multithreading, and modules. Instead, you should proceed according to your ability, based on your learning goals, whether for work, hobbies, or even if you want to grow into a Python scraping expert in the future.

I suggest that beginners should not fumble around on the internet by themselves, because although there are many Python scraping tutorials online, there are not many that are truly aimed at beginners with no Python background. Find quality learning materials that are genuinely useful, along with guidance from professional teachers, which can help you learn Python scraping and other Python-related content, thus broadening your job prospects.

I will stop here regarding the key points for beginners in Python scraping. To learn Python scraping, you must repeatedly digest the syntax logic, such as lists, dictionaries, strings, if statements, for loops, and other core concepts that must be mastered.

Mastering Python is good for both employment and making extra money, but to learn Python, you still need a learning plan. Finally, I will share a complete set of Python learning materials to help those who want to learn Python!

Including: Python activation codes + installation packages, Python web development, Python scraping, Python data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automated testing to help you systematically learn Python from the ground up!

Python Learning Package

Summary of Python Learning Routes

A summary of technical points in all directions of Python, forming a collection of knowledge points in various fields. Its usefulness lies in that you can find corresponding learning resources based on the above knowledge points to ensure a more comprehensive learning experience. (Get Python tutorials and monetization tools at the end of the article)

Essential Python Development Tools

Warm reminder: due to limited space, a packaged folder has been created, and the method to obtain it is at the end of the article.

Practical Python Cases

Theoretical knowledge alone is useless; you need to practice hands-on to apply what you have learned. At this point, you can work on some practical cases to learn.

Collection of Python Books and Videos

Watching books and videos for zero-based learning is the fastest and most effective way. Following the teacher’s thought process in the videos from basic to advanced makes it easy to get started.

Python Interview Practice Questions

Python Side Job and Freelancing Routes

Based on students’ learning progress, arrange corresponding Python training camps. Spending eight hours a week learning Python with me can improve your skills, and I offer free arrangements.

How to obtain: