Lecture 1 - Introduction to 6.001 / 6.00 and Python Basics

Administrative Information

• Lecture is recorded for MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW).
• If you don’t want to appear in recordings, avoid sitting in the front area.

Course Outline

1. Course Logistics

   • Basic course info and structure.
   • Encouragement to download lecture slides and code beforehand.

2. Key Learning Objectives

   • Knowledge of Concepts: Understanding programming and computer science concepts.
   • Programming Skills: Practical skills to write programs in Python.
   • Problem-solving Skills: Approaching problems methodically, as tested through problem sets.

Topics Covered

What is Computation?

• Computers perform calculations and remember results.
• **Types of Calculations: **
  • Built-in (e.g., addition, subtraction).
  • User-defined by combining built-in types.

Types of Knowledge

1. Declarative Knowledge: Statements of fact.
2. Imperative Knowledge: Sequence of steps or instructions (recipes).

Algorithms and Programming

• An algorithm is a recipe for solving a problem, comprises:
  1. Sequence of steps.
  2. Flow of control (maybe conditional).
  3. Definite stopping point.

Computer Architecture Overview

• Fixed-program computers: Perform one task only.
• Stored-program computers: Can store and execute different instructions.
  • Components:
    • Memory (stores data and instructions).
    • Control unit (executes instructions one by one).
    • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) (performs operations).
    • Input/Output.
• Primitives in programming: Basic operations such as addition, subtraction, logic operations, etc.

Programming Languages

• Python programs manipulate data objects.
• Objects have types determining the possible operations:
  • Scalar objects (e.g., integers, floats).
  • Non-scalar objects (e.g., lists).

Python Basics

1. Types of Objects

   • Scalar Objects: Integers, floats, booleans, NoneType.
   • Non-scalar Objects: Structures with internal parts (e.g., lists).

2. Conversions between Types

   • Use type functions: float(), int(), etc.

3. Printing in Python

   • Use print() to display outputs.

4. Expressions and Operators

   • Basic operations: +, -, *, /
   • Special operations: ** (power), % (remainder).

5. Variables and Assignment

   • Assign values with =.
   • Rebind values to variables.***

Control Flow in Python

• Control Flow allows decision-making and repetitive execution in programs.
• Next lecture will focus on adding control flow to our programs.