Lecture Notes: Python Programming Course

Introduction to Python

• Python's popularity and job market presence
• Versatility: Automation, scripting, web development
• Beginner-friendly: Minimal syntax, interpreted language
• Course goals: Core concepts, practical examples

Setting Up Python Environment

• Install Python
  • Website: \www.python.org/downloads\
  • Python 3.x vs Python 2.x
  • Choose Python 3.x for future-proof development
  • Installation steps for Windows and Mac
• Install Text Editor (IDE)
  • Recommendation: PyCharm
  • Website: \jetbrains.com/pycharm\
  • Free Community version
  • Basic IDE configuration and theme settings

First Python Program

• Writing and running a "Hello World" script
  • Use the print() function
  • Example: print('Hello, World!')
• Introduction to basic syntax and concepts

Basic Python Concepts

• Variables and Data Types
  • Strings, Numbers (integers and floats), Booleans
  • Example: ```python character_name = "John" character_age = 35 is_male = True

• String Manipulation and Functions
  • Concatenation, length, indexing, and string methods (e.g., .lower(), .upper(), .replace())
  • Example: phrase = "Draft Academy"
• Numbers and Mathematical Operations
  • Basic operators: +, -, *, /, %
  • Functions: abs(), pow(), max(), min(), round(), math.floor(), math.ceil(), math.sqrt()

Control Flow

• Conditional Statements
  • if, elif, else
  • Comparison operators: ==, !=, >, <, >=, <=
  • Nested conditions and more complex logic
• While Loops
  • Basic structure: ```python i = 1 while i <= 10: print(i) i += 1

  • Loop control and breaking conditions
• For Loops
  • Looping over sequences like lists and strings
  • Using range() function
• Break and Continue Statements
  • Altering loop execution flow

Functions

• Definition and Invocation
  • Example: ```python def say_hello(name): print('Hello ' + name) say_hello('Alice')

• Return Values
  • Example: ```python def cube(num): return num * num * num

• Try/Except Blocks
  • Error handling and specific exception types
  • Example: ```python try: number = int(input('Enter a number: ')) except ValueError: print('Invalid input')

Data Structures

• Lists
  • Definition, indexing, slicing, modifying
  • Example: ```python friends = ['Kevin', 'Karen', 'Jim']

  • List methods: .append(), .insert(), .remove(), .clear(), .pop(), etc.
• 2D Lists and Nested Loops
  • Accessing elements in 2D arrays
  • Nested loops to iterate through 2D lists
• Tuples
  • Immutable sequences
  • Example: ```python coordinates = (4, 5)

  • Tuple vs. List

Working with Files

• Reading Files
  • Opening, reading, and closing files
  • Example: ```python employee_file = open('employees.txt', 'r') for employee in employee_file.readlines(): print(employee) employee_file.close()

• Writing/Appending to Files
  • Modes: read (r), write (w), append (a)
  • Example: ```python employee_file = open('employees.txt', 'a') employee_file.write('\nToby - Human Resources') employee_file.close()

Introducing Objects and Classes

• Class Definition and Objects
  • Example: ```python class Student: def init(self, name, major, gpa, is_on_probation): self.name = name self.major = major self.gpa = gpa self.is_on_probation = is_on_probation student1 = Student('Oscar', 'Accounting', 3.1, False)

• Class Functions
  • Methods within a class
  • Example: ```python class Student: def on_honor_roll(self): return self.gpa >= 3.5

• Inheritance
  • New classes inheriting attributes and methods
  • Example: ```python class ChineseChef(Chef): def make_special_dish(self): print('The chef makes orange chicken')

• Multiple Choice Quiz
  • Example application using classes
  • Constructing a class for questions, creating an array of question objects, and evaluating answers

Modules and External Libraries

• Using Modules
  • Importing and using custom and built-in modules
  • Example: ```python import useful_tools print(useful_tools.roll_dice(10))

• PIP Package Manager
  • Installing and managing external libraries
  • Example: ```sh pip install Python-Docx

Final Thoughts

• Python Interpreter
  • Using Python shell for quick tests
  • Basic usage: Run commands directly in the interpreter
• Continued Learning
  • Practice coding regularly
  • Explore advanced topics such as web development, data science, and automation in Python