Beginner's Guide to Python Programming

Oct 6, 2024

Python Programming Basics Course by Beau Carnes

Introduction

  • Complete Python course for beginners
  • No prior programming experience needed
  • Code using a web browser
  • Covers core Python aspects
  • Simplifies complex topics
  • Python: popular for shell scripting, automation, web development, data analysis, machine learning, games, embedded devices
  • Use Replit (online IDE) for coding
  • Final project: Blackjack game

Getting Started with Replit

  • Sign up and create a Python Replit
  • Overview of Replit interface

Creating a Rock Paper Scissors Game

Variables

  • Variable creation in Python
  • Convention: use underscore for spaces in variable names
  • Strings: use double or single quotes

Functions

  • Functions only run when called
  • Indentation is crucial in Python
  • Define functions using def
  • Function example: get_choices

Dictionaries

  • Key-value pairs
  • Using curly braces {}
  • Example: {'key': 'value'}

User Input

  • Input using input()
  • Get user input and store it in variables

Random Choices

  • Import libraries (import random)
  • Create lists
  • random.choice() for random selection

If, Else, Elif Statements

  • Compare values using ==, !=, >, <
  • Logical operators: and, or, not

Blackjack Game

Setting Up

  • Project setup in Replit
  • Create a deck of cards

Classes and Objects

  • Create classes for Deck, Card, and Hand
  • Use of __init__() and instance methods

Functions in Game

  • Methods for dealing, shuffling, and playing
  • Use of loops for gameplay

Conditional Logic for Game Outcomes

  • Check for win conditions (e.g., blackjack, bust)

Displaying Game Information

  • Format output for player and dealer hands

Python Basics Deep Dive

Variables and Data Types

  • Strings, integers, floats, complex numbers
  • Type conversion

Expressions and Statements

  • Difference between expressions and statements

Comments

  • Use # for comments
  • Inline comments

Operators

  • Arithmetic, comparison, logical, bitwise, is, in

Lists and List Operations

  • Create and manipulate lists
  • List methods: append, extend, sort

Tuples and Sets

  • Immutable sequences
  • Methods for accessing and modifying data

Dictionaries

  • Key-value storage
  • Accessing, adding, and removing elements

Functions

  • Define functions with def
  • Parameters and default values
  • Local vs. global variables
  • Nested functions and closures

Objects and Classes

  • Everything in Python is an object
  • Creating and using custom classes
  • Inheritance and method overriding

Advanced Topics

Modules and Imports

  • Organizing code into modules
  • Importing from standard library and third-party packages

Error Handling with Exceptions

  • Try-except blocks
  • Custom exceptions

Working with Files

  • Opening, reading, and closing files with with statement

Using Pip

  • Python package manager
  • Installing and managing packages

List Comprehensions

  • Creating lists with concise syntax

Decorators

  • Enhancing functions with decorators

Documentation

  • Docstrings for methods, classes, and modules

Annotations

  • Optional type annotations for functions and variables

Recursion

  • Recursive functions (e.g., calculating factorial)

Lambda Functions

  • Anonymous, inline functions

Conclusion

  • Course recap
  • Encouragement to continue learning and coding

This summary captures the main topics and details from the Python programming course given by Beau Carnes, designed for beginners to start coding in Python with practical examples and projects.