Intro to python programming (basics) in easy language

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

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: “
○ The user’s response to the prompt will be returned to the input
statement call as a string. To use this value as any other 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.
xString = input(“Enter a number: “)
x = int(xString)
y=x+2
print(y)

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 false,
the statements following the else statement (else) will be executed.
○ The condition is tested using the Boolean operators == (is equal
to), != (is not equal to), and (used to test multiple conditions), and
or (used to test if AT LEAST ONE condition is true).
○ Additionally, else-if statements (elif) can be used to provide
unique coding statements for multiple conditions.
xString = input(“Enter a number: “)
x = int(xString)
if x % 2 == 0:
print(“This is an even number”)
elif x == 0:
print(“This number equals 0”)
else:
print(“This is an odd number”)

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 define x.
○ The starting value is defined by start, the final value is
defined by stop – 1, and the magnitude at which x
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.
myString = input(“Enter a number: “)
myInt = int(myString)
for x in range(0, 5, 1): print(myInt)

While Loops
● While loops are statements that iterate so long as a given
Boolean condition is met.
○ x (the variable determining whether or not the
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.
myString = input(“Enter a number: “)
myInt = int(myString)
x = 0
while x < 5:
print(myInt)
x= x +1

Intro to python programming (basics) in easy language

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