Programming Fundamentals

Introduction to Programming

• This book teaches programming to people without prior experience, enabling them to leverage newfound skills.
• Computers are seen as personal assistants, constantly awaiting instructions, and programming allows us to communicate tasks for them to execute.
• Computers excel at repetitive and boring tasks, complementing human strengths in creativity and intuition.

Creativity and Motivation

• Professional programming can be a rewarding career, offering financial stability and personal fulfillment.
• Creating programs that are useful and clever for others is inherently a creative endeavor.
• Software applications are the result of programmers competing for attention and aiming to meet user needs.

Computer Hardware Architecture

• Modern computers are built to ask "What would you like me to do next?".
• Key hardware components include the Central Processing Unit (CPU), Main Memory, Secondary Memory, and Input/Output Devices.
• The CPU is the computer's core, constantly processing instructions and rated by its clock speed (e.g., 3.0 Gigahertz).
• Main Memory provides fast, temporary storage for the CPU to access, but the data disappears when power is off.
• Secondary Memory offers slower, persistent storage (e.g., disk drives, USBs) that retains data without power.
• Input/Output Devices facilitate interaction with the computer (e.g., screen, keyboard and mouse).
• Network Connection allows computers to retrieve information, though it's slower and less reliable than Secondary Memory.

Understanding Programming

• Programming involves instructing computers to develop software by answering the CPU's "What next?" question.
• Instructions are stored as a program, with programming the act of writing and correcting these instructions.
• Programming requires skills in the target programming language and the ability to craft a logical "story."
• This new language is Python, which can be used to delegate tasks to a computer, and free humans up to perform more creative work.

Python Vocabulary and Sentences

• The Python vocabulary comprises "reserved words" or "keywords" with specific meanings.
• Programmers create their own words, called "variables", but cannot use Python's reserved words for these.
• Syntax errors arise when violating Python's grammar rules, while logic errors involve mistakes in statement order or relationships.
• Semantic errors entail syntactically and logically correct, but unintended, actions.

Interacting with Python

• Begin Python conversations by installing the software and entering "python" in a terminal or command window.
• The ">>>" prompt signifies Python's readiness for instructions.
• Use the print function followed by text in quotes, such as print('Hello world!'), to communicate with Python.
• Terminate a Python session by entering quit() at the chevron prompt.

Interpreters and Compilers

• Python is a high-level language, designed for human readability, similar to Java, C++, PHP, and JavaScript.
• The CPU executes machine language, represented in zeros and ones, which is complex and tiresome to write.
• Interpreters read and execute source code line by line, while compilers translate the entire source code into machine language before execution.
• The Python interpreter itself is written in "C" and converts Python code into machine code.

Writing and Executing Programs

• Programs are written using a text editor, saved with a ".py" extension, and executed via the Python interpreter.
• To execute a script, type python hello.py in the command window.
• A program constitutes a sequence of Python statements designed to perform a specific task.

What Can Go Wrong

• Precise communication is important to avoid Python, refusing to execute a program due to syntax errors.
• Python error messages act as calls for help, indicating where the problem lies. Python isn't hateful, but will wag it's tail and say "You seemed to say something but I just don't understand what you meant, but please keep talking to me (>>>)."
• Debugging involves reading code, running it, and thinking critically to identify and correct these errors.

Variables and Types

• Value; the basic units of data a program manipulates, such as numbers and strings.
• Values possess a data type and we can find this type using type(), different types are used for different things.
• Integers, floats, and strings constitute distinct data types in Python.

Variable Names and Keywords

• Variable names should be meaningful.
• Cannot start with a digit.
• 35 Reserved keywords must not be used as variable names.

Statements

• A unit of code that the Python interpreter can execute.
• Such as print and assignment.

Operators and Operands

• Operators like +, -, *, /, and ** perform calculations on values (operands).
• Python follows mathematical Operator precedence rules, remembered by "PEMDAS".
• / represents floating-point division.
• // represents integer division.
• % represents the modulus operator

Order of Operations

• More than one Operator used in an expression is assessed depending on the rules of precedence.

• Parenthesis* • Exponentiation** • Multiplication and Division • Addition and Subtraction

Modulus Operator

• The Modulus operator works on integers and yields the remainder when the first operand is divided by the second
• Represented as %

Expressions

• Values or variables combined with Operators.

Asking The User For Input

• The function input() prompts the user for input.
• The function then returns back what was typed to the user as a string.

Comments in Python

• The use of comments adds readability to your code.
• Use them by starting # at the beginning of a line.
• You can also write an inline comment, by putting # at the end of a line.

Choosing Mnemonic Variable Names

• Follow 3 simple rules when naming Variables.

What Can Go Wrong With Debugging?

• Some common syntax errors are trying to use illegal variable names.
• An example of a runtime error, is using a variable before you assigned a value or spelling a variable name wrong.

Glossary

• central processing unit, compile, high level language, interactive mode, interpret low level language, parse, machine and source code, portability, problem solving, semantics, semantic error.
• Bug/debugging, variable/value, type, statement, script, function.

Boolean Expressions

• Boolean expressions express if something is True or False.
• Comparison operators (==, !=, >, <, >=, <=) compare values yield True or False. Logical operators (and, or, not) combine boolean expressions.
• Python symbols can be different than their math counterparts.

Logical Operations

• Python keywords: and, or, and not

Conditional Execution

• To check conditions, and change the behaviour of a program

if and if else statements

• Python reads your if logic and returns. However, a syntax error can occur if you do not leave a blank line at the end of a block. Using the if, elseif, else statement syntax.

Alternative execution

• Syntax if x%2 == 0: if true do this, else, otherwise do this.

Chained Conditionals

• In order to use if elseif (elif ), you need only define three branches, by using elif instead of only if and else.
  • You check conditions with this logic in order.

Nested Conditionals

• Can stack conditionals by nesting all with if and else

Catching Exceptions

• To handle possible errors, in code segment use try, and except, used along with, input and int functions.

  -ValueError will tell you the error as to what is wrong with your code

Short Circuit Evaluations in Logistical Expressions

• Guardian Pattern can be useful when strategically placing a Guard evaluation Just before a potential error might occur.

Debugging Tips

• Traceback: when an error occurs Python displays to help you fix the error when it occurs.
• Can be overwhelming to beginning programmers.

Syntax Errors

• Can be easy to find

Whitespace Errors

• Can be tricky, spaces and tabs can be invisible.

Body

• The section of statements, within a compound statement.

Glossary

• Boolean Expressions, Branch, chaining, conditional and or comparison logical operators, condition the body, of program.

Iteration Using Variables

• Update a variable, so that the new value comes next: x = x + 1
• Or use an increment, which is adding to a function
• Initialize, which simply means assigning.

While Statements

• Use While logic for writing conditional/non definite loops, that check a condition:

  • While count <= 10, if false exit. Next if true, start at step one again

Infinite Loops and Break

• While is used to create the loop because otherwise, the logical expression at the top is always. True, which can cause a potential infinite loop known as (Dysfunctional). So use break to add code to body of the loop.

   - By explicitly exiting with break
  

Continue In Python

• Use the continue statement to skip directly, to the next iteration, without processing current iteration.

Indefinite loops and For statements

• When you have a set of items, you can use a definite loop using a For statement.

  • For friend in friends: print(friend) use " "" """

• A code example is for loop:

1. initialise (before loop starts)
2. perform some calculation
3. look at result

Maximum And Or Minimum Loops

Initialze Important vars Look to verify Print Final Value

Debugging For Loops:

Syntax 2) Whitespace

Glossary:

• Infinite loops, statements, interations , count variables etc.,

    - Modifying the existing list, instead of making new lists.
    - Making copies of lists, to avoid aliasing, the list as well, will always do.
  

String As A Sequence

• Index an entire string.
• With Indexing.

String Values

• Indexing, from strings the bracket operator can grab 1, or a series of strings. If first index is larger it will display an empty set.

  • Index to 0 by the first latter is considered "0th lettering" - by computer science, if want to subtract length from last string then do.

    • To traverse a string use For to call.

      • If you are looking at the length as a string with no characters then no operator is not allowed.

    • String, to break, apply, or write.

Looping With Comments

The In Operator, used for true and false statements.

String comparison's

The comparison of Operators is equal to 7 as to see if 2 strings are equal.

Strings: - Immovable

• Make change the first 10 character you need to tell it where it is going.

Debugging syntax errors etc.

String Methods

• Functions that are built into objects

• Use the "Dir ()" command to examine.

   https://docs.python.org/library/stdtypes.html#string-methods
  
    - Calling the method similar to a function - calling a method append.
  
    - When you define one, two of course you cannot say that the function will only exist.
  

Glossary

• Code
• Char or character
• Operator
• String
• Debugging
• Findall, etc.

Files

Persistence

• Code instructions for your CPU, can remember.

Database

• Connect the SQlite for functions.
  • The code for the statement.

Creating a table

• The function with text functions.

Glossary

• central processing unit, compile, high level language interactive mode, machine and source code portability, semantic error, machine code.

Lists and Iteration

• A series of different data types, can traverse using For loops, with specific syntax.

Tuples

• A sequence of values, like that of a list.

Expressions with tuples

• Have to include the final comment / the result of calling a tuple with a string with parentheses will not make it legal

Tuples And Operands

• The tuples are mutable. It makes users do not make. Illegally can appear only at the one.

Python Keywords

• Await, false, else, etc. (Python reserves 35 keywords).

Statements

• A statement can be a series of syntax such as a print statement or assignment.

Operators and Operands

• Have PEMDAS.

Modulus Statements

• Have specific syntax.

Express

• Are combinations and used for variable and function work for more clarity.

Iteration

• Updating is called an increment and if subtracting from an function - will call.

Functions For Python:

• Input, the function will return that the user will need to then.

Comments.

• The most useful way to view code comments.

Debugging:

• List the errors.
• Then make sure you have all code. Glossary:
• Types of code statements

Variables

"35 Python Keywords, Python statements"

• A series of syntax expressions such as print().
• And also to read and write.

Functions:

Function Calls:

• Have to use the python command to get this function to start
• The first line of the definition is called the heather
• The first line of the definition is called the header

2. "The syntax for calling the new function is the same as for built-in functions:"

• All functions get, listed in the document and the argument will return.

      - A return value if it is a fruity function or if it has  avoid with all other code and it took you a. Bit of time. 
  
           - if there is a function what do you want to do with the output.
  
                   - functions: are set to return non value
  

  For Example: "If all is good do the try statement

  Except, if not, print that there was a failure.

1) "It may not be clear why it is worth the trouble to divide a program into functions.

• There was never the original name.

Parameters and Objects

• The built in function called math, would bring you to a number as they come from, the functions and argument, this can be made with a lot of code and you will. Make more error

Debugging:

1. To run the program set to fix issues with Spacing and Tabs
2. make sure the indentations - are for you.

The last function is often to have a memory aid with code you find that.

• Functions are also what functions to do with the coding and with code are easy to debug and easy to fix*

Statements

• Can come in all shapes and forms

   - Be sure you are following all the logic steps so you’re code is running appropriately.
  

• One of the code is to read it then make sure to set it, it's all equal because it would be a small mistake.

Mnemonic

       - Is used. To provide. Help to. Programmers, has for its intent for using the code.  Such as in the  above text the code should be the same as to the original because you can have all the same code as you type or look  for syntax errors.

There are different types of code that will be used to the source file for the original code.

Be sure to add all those simple codes with you.

Objects and Variables

In the real world, all code is going to be connected and may not all. be in the same doc. To fix all of these issues may be a great solution by what the user had ask as that is the full solution to the text and that it can go with the source code of what needs to be done . All code will be. Here, too make sure I don’t remove any unnecessary details if added to this project.

Glossary

• The coding for this program uses function() and functions to help add value and readability and has been tested to fix. If all the errors and problems were not. Too big you then can always edit and fix to do. Best.

What if your code isn't working?

• Use a test that will remove it or the best option is to rewrite. The program until just get to something that works and that you understand. Is this. Like in the case a line gets cut after a period for sentences for example.

Explore core programming principles applicable across languages. Learn about program building blocks such as input, output, conditionals, and loops. Understand why interpreters reject programs and the challenges of programming.