2: Expressions
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- 2.0: Introduction
- This page explains the structure of a computer program, focusing on sequential statements and expressions used in Python to compute values. It covers simple expressions, handling of numbers and strings, experimentation with the Python shell, details on integers and floating-point numbers, the math module, and offers readability tips for coding.
- 2.1: The Python Shell
- This page outlines learning objectives for using a Python shell, explaining the Python interpreter's role in translating code. It covers the shell's functionality, error handling, and the REPL process. Navigation through code history using arrow keys is highlighted, along with practical exercises for users to explore Python and correct common mistakes, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience in Python coding.
- 2.2: Type Conversion
- This page details learning objectives for implicit and explicit type conversion in Python, explaining automatic type changes and providing examples of functions like int(), float(), and str() for explicit conversions. It includes checkpoints and practical exercises, such as converting book ratings and calculating averages from user data, along with suggestions for coding improvements.
- 2.3: Mixed Data Types
- This page outlines learning objectives for combining data types in programming, focusing on integers, floats, and strings. It explains that operations between integers and floats produce float results and emphasizes the necessity of explicit type conversion when interacting with numeric types and strings. The page also discusses using operators for string repetition and provides practical examples to illustrate these concepts, noting potential errors due to incompatible types.
- 2.4: Floating-point Errors
- This page explains floating-point representation in computing, focusing on numerical inaccuracies like round-off and overflow errors. It introduces Python's round() function to mitigate these errors and provides examples and practice exercises to reinforce understanding, helping learners manage floating-point issues in programming.
- 2.5: Dividing Integers
- This page explains learning objectives for evaluating expressions using floor division and modulo in Python. It differentiates between true division, yielding floats, and floor division, which provides whole number quotients. The modulo operator finds remainders and is applied in unit conversions, like centimeters to meters. The content includes exercises on calculating arrival times and dispensing change at self-checkouts, reinforcing the practical applications of these operations.
- 2.6: The Math Module
- This page outlines learning objectives for Python's built-in functions and the math module, highlighting the need for imports when using module functions. It includes examples, such as calculating distances and using constants like pi. Practice questions and coding exercises are provided to reinforce understanding, including implementations of the quadratic formula and cylinder formulas.
- 2.7: Formatting Code
- This page covers proper Python code formatting, emphasizing spacing and multi-line statements for enhanced readability. It highlights the importance of clear spacing, referencing the PEP 8 style guide for specific rules such as spacing around parentheses and after commas. The section also discusses string concatenation and implicit line joining in multi-line statements, with practice exercises to reinforce the application of these formatting guidelines.
- 2.8: Python Careers
- This page highlights Python's diverse applications beyond IT, showcasing its significance in fields such as business, education, and the arts. It emphasizes Python's role in automating tasks and problem-solving across various sectors, including AI, data visualization, and web development. The text underscores Python's versatility and value in numerous careers, supported by a dedicated community.
- 2.9: Chapter Summary
- This page covers essential programming concepts, including interactive expressions, type conversions, string concatenation, and floating-point error handling. It highlights the significance of readability and presents functions like `abs()` and `int()`. Practical exercises include a bread ingredient calculator and a tip calculator, focusing on user input and accurate output formatting. The chapter reinforces the application of programming skills in real-world scenarios.