### Lesson:
#### Specific Objective
Learn to read Comma-Separated Values (CSV) files in Python using the built-in `csv` module, which allows for efficient and straightforward CSV file processing.
#### Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of Python.
- Python installed on your machine.
- A CSV file to practice with.
#### Steps to Read a CSV File
1. **Import the CSV Module:**
Utilize Python's built-in `csv` module to work with CSV files.
2. **Open the CSV File:**
Use the `open` function to access the CSV file.
3. **Create a CSV Reader:**
Use the `csv.reader` function to parse the CSV file.
4. **Iterate Over the Rows:**
Loop through the rows of the file using a `for` loop to access each row’s data.
#### Example Code
Here's a basic example to demonstrate reading a CSV file:
```python
import csv
# Path to the CSV file
file_path = 'example.csv'
# Open the CSV file
with open(file_path, mode='r', encoding='utf-8') as file:
# Create a CSV reader
reader = csv.reader(file)
# Skip the header row if your CSV file has one
next(reader)
# Iterate over each row in the CSV file
for row in reader:
# Each row is a list of values
print(row)
```
#### Common Use Patterns
- **Data Analysis:** Read CSV files for data analysis and manipulation in scripts and applications.
- **Data Import:** Import data from CSV into databases or other storage systems.
- **Automation:** Automate the processing of CSV files for reporting or data integration tasks.
#### Cheat Sheet
- `csv.reader(file)`: Parses the CSV file and returns a reader object for iterating over rows.
- `open(file_path, mode='r')`: Opens a file for reading (`'r'` mode).
- `next(reader)`: Skips the next row of the reader (commonly used to skip headers).
#### Exercise
1. Find or create a CSV file, e.g., `data.csv`, with a few rows of data.
2. Write a Python script based on the provided example to read and print each row of the CSV file.
3. Experiment with different CSV files, observing how Python handles various data structures and complexities in CSV format.
#### Resources
- Python `csv` Module Documentation: [docs.python.org/3/library/csv.html](https://docs.python.org/3/library/csv.html)
This lesson gives you a foundational approach to handling CSV files in Python, equipping you with the necessary skills to integrate CSV file processing in your Python applications.