Introduction to Computing and Programming

Introduction to Computing

• Computing is a powerful mental tool, revolutionizing problem-solving.
• Computing has transformed the world significantly over the past century.
• Computing is fundamental to modern technology, art, and science.
• Understanding computing provides crucial insights into the nature of the mind, culture, and the universe.
• A computer is a programmable electronic device that stores, retrieves, and processes data.

Course Outline

• Introduction to computing
• Introduction to programming
• Python language
• Jupyter notebook IDLE
• Terminal windows
• Text editors
• Interpreters

Overview of Programming

• Computer programming is how humans communicate with computers to perform tasks.
• Programming involves creating instructions for computers.
• Programmers create code to instruct computers.
• Programming languages are systems of notation for creating computer programs.

Introduction to Python

• Python is a powerful and versatile programming language.
• Python's popularity stems from its simplicity, readability, and versatility.
• Python is an interpreted language, executing code directly without compilation.
• Python's general-purpose nature allows for a wide range of applications.
• Python's open-source approach fosters a vibrant community and continuous development.

Why Python?

• Python runs on various platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.).
• Python has a user-friendly English-like syntax.
• Python allows developers to write programs with fewer lines than other languages.
• Python runs on an interpreter, enabling immediate execution and faster prototyping.

Origins and Creation of Python

• Guido van Rossum created Python in 1989 as a hobby project during Christmas holidays.
• Python 0.9.0 was released in 1991, with classes, inheritance, and exception handling.
• The first major version, Python 1.0 (1994), integrated functional programming tools like lambda, map, and filter.

Introduction to Python Programming (Logos)

• The original Python logo was designed by Guido van Rossum.
• The current Python logo was introduced in 2008.

Early Development and Guido van Rossum

• Guido van Rossum, known as the "Benevolent Dictator For Life (BDFL)," spearheaded Python development.
• Van Rossum's design philosophy emphasizes code readability and simplicity.
• Python's success is rooted in a thriving, collaborative community fostered by van Rossum.

Key Features and Design Principles

• Python is highly readable due to clean syntax and whitespace usage.
• Python supports various programming paradigms from procedural to object-oriented.
• Python facilitates integration with other languages and offers extensive library support.

Python 1.0 and the Evolution of the Language

• Python 1.0 (1994) introduced features for functional programming and modularization.
• Python 1.5 (1997) added new data types and enhanced language consistency.
• Python 1.6 (2000) introduced Unicode support and upgraded the standard library.

Adoption and Growth of the Python Community

• Python's open-source nature has fostered a vibrant and collaborative community.
• Universities and coding bootcamps have adopted Python as a teaching language.
• Major tech companies have embraced Python, fueling its professional use.

Python 2.0 and the Shift to Python 3

• Python 2.0 was released in 2000.
• Python 3.0 was released in 2008 to address some problems arising from earlier versions.
• A transition occurred in Python 3.0 from earlier versions.

Expansion of Python Libraries and Frameworks

• Python libraries like NumPy and Pandas revolutionized data analysis.
• Frameworks like Django and Flask enabled web application development.
• Libraries and frameworks in TensorFlow, PyTorch, SciPy, and Matplotlib serve machine learning, scientific computing, and data science.

Python's Rise in Popularity and Diverse Applications

• Python is a widely used language for data scientists and analysts.
• Python is used in machine learning and artificial intelligence research.
• Many popular websites and web applications utilize Python.

Python's Key Features

• Python's clean syntax simplifies reading and writing code
• Python supports a vast range of applications (e.g., web development, machine learning).
• Python has extensive libraries and frameworks that accelerate development.

Python Syntax and Structure

• Python uses indentation to define code blocks.
• Python uses the assignment operator (=) to assign values to variables.
• Python uses the def keyword for defining functions.

Data Types and Variables in Python

• Python supports various data types, including numeric (integers, floats, and complex numbers).
• Python strings store text.
• Bools (Boolean) represent true or false values.
• Python lists can hold and store various data types.

IDLE

• IDLE (Integrated Development and Learning Environment) is a Python IDE.
• IDLE is a beginner-friendly, integrated development environment.

Jupyter Notebook

• Jupyter Notebook allows for interactive coding and visualization.
• Jupyter notebooks are widely used in data science and machine learning.
• Jupyter is a web-based tool for coding and data analysis.

Terminal Windows

• Terminal windows act as command-line interfaces for interacting with the computer.
• Terminal windows are text-based and offer a direct way to execute commands.
• Terminal windows provide access to a wide range of commands and tools.

Text Editors

• Text editors provide environments for writing and editing text (code) files.
• They enable opening, saving, and managing files.
• They often include shortcuts for efficient editing.

Interpreters

• Interpreters convert code into machine instructions.
• Interpreters execute code line-by-line.
• Interpreters handle data types at runtime.

Getting Started with Python (Installation)

• Download the latest Python version from python.org.
• Run the installer and add Python to your PATH.
• Verify installation via 'python --version' in a command prompt.

Key Features of Python (Summary)

• Readable Syntax: Clean syntax enhances code readability.
• Rich Libraries: Extensive libraries and packages support various tasks.
• Portable: Python works across multiple operating systems.

Advantages of IDLE

• Simplicity: Easy to learn and use.
• Integrated Features: Editor, debugger, and shell in one environment.

Disadvantages of IDLE

• Limited Features: Lacks advanced features like code completion.
• Performance Issues: Can be slow with large projects.
• Limited Extensibility: Lacks customization options.

The Future of Python and Emerging Trends

• Python 4.0 is anticipated.
• Quantum computing
• Edge computing will continue to improve and gain popularity.
• Sustainability is addressed in the Python community.

Python Coding Learning Resources

• Online platforms (Coursera, Udemy, Codecademy, edX) offer Python courses.
• These platforms offer interactive tutorials and hands-on coding practice.
• YouTube has many Python tutorials.

Questions

• How to choose the right Python IDLE?
• List major application areas of Python.
• Why Python?
• Difference between Python and other programming languages?
• Why is Python popular?
• Compare Python with other programming languages.
• Instructions for installing and running Python code.

How to Earn Money with Programming

• Online platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and others help programmers find jobs.