Beginner's Guide to Python Programming

Sep 27, 2024

Python Programming Tutorial by Mosh Hamadani

Introduction

  • Python is a multi-purpose programming language.
  • Popular for machine learning, data science, web development, and automation.
  • Examples of websites using Python: YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, Dropbox, Pinterest.
  • No prior programming knowledge needed to start.

Setup Python Environment

  • Download Python from python.org.
  • Install Python and check "Add Python to PATH" on Windows.
  • Install a code editor, recommended: PyCharm Community Edition.
  • Configure PyCharm and create a new project.

Writing First Python Program

  • Create a Python file (e.g., app.py).
  • Use the print() function to output "Hello World".
  • Strings are sequences of characters surrounded by quotes.

Understanding Variables

  • Variables store data temporarily in memory.
  • Declare variables using name = value syntax.
  • Example: age = 20, use print(age) to display variable value.
  • Variables can store numbers, strings, and booleans.

User Input

  • Use input() function to receive user input.
  • Convert input to different types using int(), float(), str(), bool().
  • Example: Calculate age from birth year using input.

Working with Strings

  • Strings are objects with methods like .upper(), .lower(), .find(), .replace().
  • Example: string.upper() converts a string to uppercase.
  • Use in keyword to check if a substring exists in a string.

Arithmetic Operations

  • Python supports addition +, subtraction -, multiplication *, division /.
  • Division / returns float, // returns integer.
  • Modulus % returns remainder. Exponentiation ** for powers.
  • Augmented assignment operators: +=, -=, *=, /=.

Operator Precedence

  • Order: parentheses (), exponentiation **, multiplication/division *, /, //, %, addition/subtraction +, -.
  • Use parentheses to change default precedence.

Comparison and Logical Operators

  • Comparison: >, >=, <, <=, ==, !=.
  • Logical: and, or, not.

Conditional Statements

  • Use if, elif, else for decision making.
  • Example: Temperature check with different messages.

Looping Constructs

  • While Loop: Repeats code block while condition is true.
  • Example: Print numbers 1 to 5 using a while loop.
  • For Loop: Iterates over a sequence like a list or range.
  • Example: Print numbers in a list using a for loop.

Lists

  • Lists store multiple items in an ordered sequence.
  • Modify lists using methods like .append(), .insert(), .remove(), .clear().
  • Access elements with indexes, can use slicing list[start:end].

Tuple

  • Tuples are like lists but immutable.
  • Use parentheses () to define a tuple.
  • Useful when you need a read-only list of items.

Input and Output

  • Implement exercises to reinforce learning, such as weight converter.
  • Convert between data types to ensure correct arithmetic operations.

Additional Resources

  • Mosh's online coding school offers more in-depth courses in Python and other development areas.
  • Python course available with 30-day money-back guarantee and certificate of completion.