# Where Are the Main Source Files Located in AI For Beginners? Repository Structure Explained

> Discover where AI For Beginners main source files are in the microsoft repository. Learn about lessons, examples, and quiz app directories for easy navigation.

- Repository: [Microsoft/AI-For-Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners)
- Tags: repository-structure
- Published: 2026-08-02

---

**The main source files in the microsoft/AI-For-Beginners repository are located in three top-level directories: `lessons/` for the structured curriculum, `examples/` for standalone demonstrations, and `etc/quiz-app/` for the interactive quiz application.**

The AI-For-Beginners repository is organized as a learning-oriented codebase rather than a traditional software library. Unlike conventional packages with a single `src/` folder, this educational project distributes its source material across purpose-built directories that correspond to different learning workflows. Understanding this structure helps learners navigate the curriculum efficiently and contributors locate the right files to modify.

## Primary Source Directories

### `lessons/` — Core Curriculum Notebooks

The `lessons/` directory contains the **structured curriculum** covering 12 weeks of AI topics. Each subfolder holds Jupyter notebooks (`.ipynb`) that combine executable code, visualizations, and explanatory text.

Key characteristics:
- Neural-network basics, computer-vision labs, and NLP transformers live here
- Notebooks are self-contained and executable after environment setup
- Weekly organization makes it easy to follow the course progression

Example location: `lessons/3-NeuralNetworks/03-Perceptron/Perceptron.ipynb`

### `examples/` — Standalone Demonstrations

The `examples/` directory stores **independent Python scripts and notebooks** that demonstrate core concepts outside the formal curriculum.

These files serve as:
- Quick experimentation entry points for newcomers
- Simplified code snippets that isolate specific techniques
- Starting points for custom projects

Notable files include [`01-hello-ai-world.py`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/01-hello-ai-world.py) and [`04-text-sentiment.py`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/04-text-sentiment.py).

### `etc/quiz-app/` — Interactive Quiz Application

The `etc/quiz-app/` directory houses a **Vue 2 web application** that powers the interactive quiz used throughout the course.

Source structure:
- `src/` — Vue components and application logic
- `public/` — Static assets
- [`package.json`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/package.json) — Node.js dependencies and build configuration
- Root component: [`etc/quiz-app/src/App.vue`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/etc/quiz-app/src/App.vue)

## Essential Configuration Files

Several supporting files at the repository root define the runtime environment:

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| [`environment.yml`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/environment.yml) | Conda environment with Python 3, TensorFlow 2.17, PyTorch, and Keras 3.5 |
| [`requirements.txt`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/requirements.txt) | Pip-installable alternative for the same dependencies |
| [`README.md`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/README.md) | Quick-start instructions and high-level project overview |

## Working with the Source Files

### Running Lesson Notebooks

```bash

# Activate the provided conda environment

conda activate ai4beg

# Launch Jupyter Lab

jupyter lab

# Navigate to: lessons/3-NeuralNetworks/03-Perceptron/Perceptron.ipynb

```

### Executing Standalone Examples

```bash
conda activate ai4beg

python examples/01-hello-ai-world.py

# Output: "Hello, AI world!"

```

### Starting the Quiz Application Locally

```bash
cd etc/quiz-app
npm install
npm run serve

# Development server starts at http://localhost:8080

```

## Key Reference Files

For frequent navigation, bookmark these main source locations:

- [`lessons/0-course-setup/for-teachers.md`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/lessons/0-course-setup/for-teachers.md) — Instructor guide and curriculum overview
- `lessons/3-NeuralNetworks/03-Perceptron/Perceptron.ipynb` — Exemplar introductory notebook
- [`examples/04-text-sentiment.py`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/examples/04-text-sentiment.py) — Sentiment analysis demonstration script
- [`etc/quiz-app/src/App.vue`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/etc/quiz-app/src/App.vue) — Quiz application root component

## Summary

- **Main curriculum source**: `lessons/` directory with 12 weeks of Jupyter notebooks
- **Quick experimentation**: `examples/` directory with standalone Python scripts
- **Interactive quiz UI**: `etc/quiz-app/` Vue 2 application
- **Environment setup**: [`environment.yml`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/environment.yml) or [`requirements.txt`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/requirements.txt) at repository root
- **No single `src/` folder**: Educational organization prioritizes learning flow over package structure

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is there a traditional `src/` folder in AI For Beginners?

No. The repository uses a curriculum-first structure where `lessons/`, `examples/`, and `etc/quiz-app/` serve as the primary source directories. This organization reflects the project's educational purpose rather than conventional library packaging.

### How do I find the code for a specific lesson topic?

Navigate to `lessons/` and identify the week number and topic from the folder naming convention. Each lesson subfolder contains one or more `.ipynb` files with the executable code. For example, perceptron implementations are in `lessons/3-NeuralNetworks/03-Perceptron/`.

### Where is the quiz application source code if I want to modify it?

The quiz application lives in `etc/quiz-app/` with standard Vue 2 project structure. The root component is at [`etc/quiz-app/src/App.vue`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/etc/quiz-app/src/App.vue), and you can start local development with `npm install` followed by `npm run serve`.

### Can I run the code without using Conda?

Yes. While [`environment.yml`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/environment.yml) specifies the Conda environment, the repository also provides [`requirements.txt`](https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners/blob/main/requirements.txt) for pip-based setups. Install dependencies with `pip install -r requirements.txt` and proceed with running scripts or launching Jupyter.