1: Statements
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- 1.0: Introduction
- This page highlights the significance of computers and programming in contemporary life, affecting various sectors such as communication and healthcare. It discusses programming fundamentals, including input/output statements, variable assignment, and arithmetic. The chapter also addresses error handling and interpretations, while offering an overview of Python's history and its increasing popularity as a programming language.
- 1.1: Background
- This page introduces the fundamentals of computer programming and highlights Python as an accessible language for beginners. It discusses the various tasks programs perform on electronic devices, emphasizing the creativity and practicality of programming without needing prior knowledge. Python's popularity is attributed to its extensive libraries and easy syntax, making it simpler than languages like Java. The section also features examples and interactive elements to aid learning.
- 1.2: Input/Output
- This page discusses basic input and output in programming, focusing on the print() and input() functions. It covers customizing output with separators and line endings, providing examples of printing multiple values. The input() function enables capturing user input for use in the program. Practical exercises are included for hands-on practice, emphasizing the importance of detail in spacing and formatting for programming accuracy.
- 1.3: Variables
- This page explains the basics of variable assignment and usage in Python, highlighting the assignment operator and naming conventions. It advises starting variable names with a letter, avoiding reserved keywords, and using descriptive names, specifically recommending snake_case for better readability. The text also includes practice questions to help reinforce these concepts.
- 1.4: String Basics
- This page presents basic string concepts in Python, including defining strings, using the len() function, and string concatenation. It features examples of valid/invalid strings, practice questions, and user input introductions. Additionally, there are two programming exercises focused on calculating name lengths and formatting greetings with variables.
- 1.5: Number Basics
- This page outlines learning objectives for arithmetic operations and numeric data types in Python, covering basic formats like integers and floating-point numbers, and introducing arithmetic operators along with operator precedence. It provides checkpoints, practice questions, and programming exercises to reinforce understanding of these concepts.
- 1.6: Error Messages
- This page covers identifying and correcting common programming errors in Python, such as syntax, name, and indentation errors. It highlights the significance of reading error messages for understanding the issues and includes examples of typical mistakes and their errors. By practicing these skills, programmers can enhance their debugging capabilities and coding accuracy.
- 1.7: Comments
- This page outlines learning objectives for writing effective comments and docstrings in Python. It emphasizes the purpose and formatting of comments, prioritizing clarity and structure for code readability. Additionally, it discusses the role of docstrings in program documentation, providing guidelines for effective use. It also highlights the importance of separating code sections with blank lines and crafting informative comments.
- 1.8: Why Python?
- This page outlines the creation of Python by Guido van Rossum in the early 1980s as a hobby, alongside his work on ABC. Released in 1991, Python aimed to blend simplicity with advanced features. Its popularity surged, becoming the #1 language in the TIOBE index in 2021, supported by a vibrant online community and numerous open-source libraries.
- 1.9: Chapter summary
- This page provides an overview of Python programming basics, covering input/output functions, variable assignments, data types, arithmetic operations, and coding practices. It includes practical exercises such as calculating squares and cubes and creating a mad lib game. The chapter highlights the significance of syntax and proper code structure to guide readers in developing functional programs.