Introduction to programming with python

What is Python?
● Python is a popular high-level programming language used in
various applications
○ Python is an easy language to learn because of its simple syntax

○ Python can be used for simple tasks such as plotting or for more complex tasks
like machine learning
Variables, Objects, and Classes

● A variable is a reference to a value stored in a computer’s memory.

● Variables can be sorted into a variety of categories (or data types)
such as numbers (int/float etc), Boolean values (true/false), and
sequences (strings, lists etc).
● An object is a collection of data from a computer’s memory that can be
manipulated.

○ ALL VARIABLES ARE OBJECTS although some objects can be defined by

data referred to by multiple variables.

○ Methods are the functions used to act on/alter an object’s data. They
describe what your object can “do.”
Variables, Objects, and Classes (cont.)

● A class is a collection of objects who

share the same set of
variables/methods. Instance #1
Color: Pink
○ The definition of the class provides a Name: Polo
blueprint for all the objects within it
Instance #2
(instances). Color: Red
Name: Mini
○ Instances may share the same variables
(color, size, shape, etc.), but they do NOT Instance #3
share the same values for each variable Color: Blue
Name: Beetle
(blue/red/pink, small/large, square/circular
etc.)
Basic Syntax Rules

● The name of your variable (myInt etc.) is placed on the left of the “=“ operator.

○ Most variable names are in camel case where the first word begins with a lowercase letter and any subsequent
words are capitalized

○ Variable names may also appear in snake case where all words are lowercase, with underscores between words
● The assignment operator (“=“) sets the variable name equal to the memory location where your value is found.
● The value of your variable (“Hello, World”) is placed on the right of the “=“ operator.

○ The type of this value does NOT need to be stated but its format must abide by a given object type (as shown).

myString = “Hello, World” myInt

=7
myFloat = 7.0
myList = [7, 8, 9] myBoolean =
true
Basic Syntax Rules

● Function Syntax
○ def...: indicates that you are defining a new function.

○ function() refers to the name of your function. By convention, this name is typically lowercase and represents a
verb/action.

○ a,b refers to parameters (values or variables) that can be used within the statements of your function’s definition
(......). If your function has no parameters, an empty parenthetical () is used.

○ The return statement is an optional statement that will return a value for your function to your original call.

def function(a, b):

......
return a + b
Basic Syntax Rules (cont.)

● Calling a function

○ Call the function by referring to its name (function()) and by placing

any necessary arguments (1, 2) within the parenthesis separated by
commas. myValue = function(1, 2)

○ If you wish, you can set your function call equal to a variable (myValue). The
value returned by the function will be assigned to your variable name.

myValue = function(1, 2)
Common Data Types and Operators
● A data type is a means of classifying a value and determining what
operations can be performed on it. All objects have a data type.
● Operators are symbols used carry out specific functions/computations.
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5MR5JnKcZI
Input/Output

● Input functions (input()) allow users of a program to place

values into programming code.
○ The parameter for an input function is called a prompt. This
is a string (this can be indicated by “” or ‘’) such as “Enter a
number: “ xString = input(“Enter a number: “)
x = int(xString)
○ The user’s response to the prompt will be returned to the
y=x+2
input statement call as a string. To use this value as any other
print(y)
data type, it must be converted with another function (int()).
● Print functions (print()) allow programs to output strings to
users on a given interface.
○ The parameter of this function is of any type. All types will
automatically be converted to strings.
If-else Statements
● If-else statements allow programmers to adapt the function of
their code based on a given condition.
● If a given condition (i.e. x % 2 == 0) is true, then the statements
following the if statement (if) will be executed. If the condition is xString = input(“Enter a number: “)
false, the statements following the else statement (else) will be x = int(xString)
executed. if x % 2 == 0:
print(“This is an even number”)
○ The condition is tested using the Boolean operators == (is elif x == 0:
equal to), != (is not equal to), and (used to test multiple print(“This number equals 0”)
conditions), and or (used to test if AT LEAST ONE condition else:
is true).
print(“This is an odd number”)
○ Additionally, else-if statements (elif) can be used to
provide unique coding statements for multiple conditions.
For Loops
● For loops perform the same task (iterate) for the number
of times specified by an iterable (something that can be
evaluated repeatedly such as a list, string, or range).
● for defines the for loop
● x is the variable defining the number of times the
statements within the loop (print(myInt)) are executed.
● The range(start, stop, step) function is often used to
myString = input(“Enter a number: “)
define x.
myInt = int(myString)
○ The starting value is defined by start, the final value
is defined by stop – 1, and the magnitude at which x for x in range(0, 5, 1): print(myInt)
changes between loops is defined by step.
● in is a Boolean operator that returns true if the given value
(x) is found within a given list, string, range etc.
While Loops myString = input(“Enter a number: “)
myInt = int(myString)
● While loops are statements that iterate so long as a x=0
given Boolean condition is met. while x < 5:
print(myInt)
○ x (the variable determining whether or not the
x= x +1
condition is met) is defined and manipulated
OUTSIDE of the header of the while loop (while)

○ The condition (x < 5) is a statement containing a

Boolean variable.

○ break is a statement used to exit the current

for/while loop.

○ continue is a statement used to reject all

statements in the current for/while loop iteration
and return to the beginning of the loop.
Thank you