Python Programming Course Notes

Introduction

Course Overview: Learning Python programming from scratch
Python Popularity: High demand for jobs, used for scripting and automation
Ease of Learning: Beginner-friendly, minimal syntax, fast learning curve

Installing Python and Text Editor

Python Installation: Download Python from python.org/downloads
- Choose Python 3.x (future of Python) over Python 2.x (legacy, less supported)
Text Editor: Recommended to install PyCharm (Community version is free)
- Go to jetbrains.com/pycharm to download
- Configure settings like theme and interpreter (Python 3)
- Create a new project and Python file

Writing and Running Basic Python Programs

Hello World Program: Basic print statement example
```
print("Hello, World!")
```
Drawing Shapes: Using multiple print statements
```
print("/\")
print("/  \")
print("/____\")
```

Variables in Python

Variable Creation: Storing data values for easy reuse and management

character_name = "John"
character_age = 35
print(character_name, character_age)

Types of Data for Variables: Strings, numbers, and booleans
```
is_male = True
character_age = 50.5
```
Modification of Variables
```
character_name = "Mike"
```

Working with Strings

String Basics: Creating and using strings

phrase = "Draft Academy"
print(phrase.upper())  # Uppercase
print(phrase.isupper())  # Boolean check

String Functions: Common functions like .upper(), .lower(), .isupper(), .islower()
String Indexing: Accessing individual characters and string methods like .index()
```
print(phrase[0])
print(phrase.index("A"))
```
String Concatenation: Combining strings
```
print(phrase + " is cool")
```

Working with Numbers

Basic Arithmetic: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
```
print(3 + 4)
print(3 * 4)
```
Advanced Functions: abs(), pow(), max(), min(), round(), math.sqrt()
```
import math
print(abs(-5))
print(math.sqrt(36))
```

User Input

Getting Input from Users

name = input("Enter your name: ")
print("Hello " + name + "!")

Building a Basic Calculator

Calculator Program: Adding two numbers

num1 = float(input("Enter first number: "))
num2 = float(input("Enter second number: "))
result = num1 + num2
print(result)

Conditional Statements (If Statements)

Basic If Statements

is_male = True
if is_male:
    print("You are a male")
else:
    print("You are not a male")

Comparison Operators: ==, !=, <, >, <=, >=
```
if num1 == num2:
    print("Equal")
```

Dictionaries in Python

Creating Dictionaries

monthConversions = {
    "Jan": "January",
    "Feb": "February"
}
print(monthConversions["Jan"])

Dictionary Functions: Using .get() and handling missing keys
```
print(monthConversions.get("Luv", "Not a valid key"))
```

Loops in Python

While Loops: Repeating a block of code while a condition is true
```
i = 1
while i <= 10:
    print(i)
    i += 1
```

For Loops: Iterating over a sequence (list, string, etc.)

friends = ["Jim", "Karen", "Kevin"]
for friend in friends:
    print(friend)

Exponent Function

Exponent Function Implementation

def raise_to_power(base_num, pow_num):
    result = 1
    for index in range(pow_num):
        result *= base_num
    return result
print(raise_to_power(2, 3))  # Output: 8

2D Lists & Nested Loops

Creating and Accessing 2D Lists

number_grid = [
    [1, 2, 3],
    [4, 5, 6],
    [7, 8, 9]
]
print(number_grid[0][0])  # Output: 1

Nested Loops for 2D Lists

for row in number_grid:
    for col in row:
        print(col)

Functions in Python

Defining and Calling Functions

def say_hi(name):
    print("Hello " + name)
say_hi("Mike")

Return Statements in Functions

def cube(num):
    return num * num * num
print(cube(3))

Building a Basic Translator

Simple Translator Program

def translate(phrase):
    translation = ""
    for letter in phrase:
        if letter in "AEIOUaeiou":
            translation += "g"
        else:
            translation += letter
    return translation
print(translate("Hello"))  # Output: Hgllg

File Handling

Reading Files

employee_file = open("employees.txt", "r")
print(employee_file.read())
employee_file.close()

Writing and Appending to Files

employee_file = open("employees.txt", "a")
employee_file.write("Toby - Human Resources")
employee_file.close()

Using Modules

Importing Modules
```
import math
print(math.sqrt(36))
```
Installing External Modules Using Pip
```
pip install [module-name]
```

Classes and Objects

Creating Classes and Objects

class Student:
    def __init__(self, name, major, gpa):
        self.name = name
        self.major = major
        self.gpa = gpa
student1 = Student("Jim", "Business", 3.1)
print(student1.name)

Object Functions

Functions Inside Classes

class Student:
    def on_honor_roll(self):
        if self.gpa >= 3.5:
            return True
        return False
student1 = Student("Jim", "Business", 3.1)
print(student1.on_honor_roll())  # Output: False

Inheritance in Python

Creating Inheritance: Base and Derived Classes

class Chef:
    def make_chicken(self):
        print("The chef makes a chicken")
class ChineseChef(Chef):
    def make_special_dish(self):
        print("The chef makes orange chicken")
myChef = Chef()
myChef.make_chicken()
myChineseChef = ChineseChef()
myChineseChef.make_special_dish()

Python Interpreter

Using the Python Interpreter: Quick testing and experiments
```
python3
>>> print("Hello, World!")
```