Python Fundamentals Quiz

Introduction to Python

• Python is a general-purpose, high-level, object-oriented programming language
• Developed by Guido van Rossum in the late 1980s at the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science in the Netherlands
• Derived from languages like ABC, Modula-3, Smalltalk, and Algol-68
• An open-source scripting language
• Case-sensitive language (uppercase and lowercase letters matter)
• An official language at Google

Characteristics of Python

• Interpreted: source code compiled to bytecode (.pyc file) then interpreted by the interpreter
• Interactive
• Object-oriented
• Easy and simple
• Portable
• Scalable (supports large programs)
• Integrated
• Expressive language

Python Interpreters

• Various interpreters exist, including PyCharm, Python IDLE, The Python Bundle, and pyGUI
• Other interpreters like Sublime Text are available.

Using Python Interpreters

• Interactive Mode: Allows interaction with Python directly
• Script Mode: Running Python code from a file

Python Character Set

• Letters (A-Z, a-z)
• Digits (0-9)
• Special Symbols (! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + - = { } [ ] : ; " ' , < . > / ? )
• Whitespace (spaces, tabs, newline)

Tokens

• Smallest individual unit in a program.
• Python has five token types: keywords, identifiers, literals, operators, punctuators

Keywords

• Reserved words in Python.
• There are 33 keywords in total (e.g., False, class, finally, is, return, break, None, continue, for, lambda, try, except, True, def, from, nonlocal, while, in, and, del, global, not, with, raise, as, elif, if, or, yield, assert, else, import, pass).

Identifiers

• Names given by the user for variables, classes, function names, etc.
• Must start with a letter or underscore, followed by letters, digits, or underscores
• Keywords cannot be used as identifiers.
• Special symbols are not allowed (e.g. ! @ # $ % etc.)
• Commas and spaces are not allowed inside identifiers

Literals

• Constant values in a program
• Four types exist: numeric (int, float, complex), string, boolean, special (None)

Numeric Literals

• Immutable (cannot be changed)
• Examples: 5, 6.7, 6+9j

String Literals

• Encoded text within quotes ("string" or 'string')
• Supports escape sequences (e.g., ', ", \t, \n)

Boolean Literals

• Two possible values: True or False

Special Literals

• None: Represents the absence of a value or no object, often used as an end marker for lists.

Literal Collections

• Collections like tuples, lists, and dictionaries are used in Python.

Basic Terms in Python Programs

• Blocks & Indentation: Python uses indentation to define code blocks (no braces)
• Statements: Instructions or expressions on a single line.
• Expressions: Combinations of symbols and values producing results.
• Comments: Ignored by the interpreter; used for explanations (# followed by comment).

Single-Line Comments

• Start with #

Multi-Line Comments

• Enclosed in triple quotes (''' ... ''')

Variable/Label

• Python variables are named locations referring to values.
• Variables are created by assigning values
• Dynamically typed: no need to specify beforehand.

Value and RValue

• Left-hand side (Lvalue) of an expression, where a value will be assigned
• Right-hand side (Rvalue) of an expression, where the value will be computed

Data Types in Python

• Primitive (Numbers, String)
• Collection (List, Tuple, Set, Dictionary)
• Integer, Float, Complex, String, Boolean and others

Basic Operators

• Arithmetic (+, -, *, /, //, %, **)
• Relational/Comparison (>, <, ==, !=, >=, <=)
• Logical (and, or, not)
• Bitwise
• Assignment (=, +=, -=, etc.)
• Other (special, identity, membership)

Conditional Statements (if-else, elif)

• Control execution flow based on certain conditions (True or False)

Loops (while, for, loop else)

• Repeat statements until a condition is met
• for is used to iterate over a sequence, while is used for conditions
• loop else: runs when no break occurs

Jump Statements (break, continue)

• break: Exits a loop entirely
• continue: Skips the current iteration, goes to the next

Nested Loops

• Loop inside another loop

Modules

• Bundles of functions for specific tasks (e.g., math, random)
• import brings them into the current program

Functions

• Reusable blocks of code performing specific operations
• def keyword marks function start.
• Pass parameters with arguments.

User-Defined Functions

• Functions written by the programmer (not built into Python)

Library Functions

• Predefined functions (e.g., type(), len())

Lambda Functions

• Anonymous functions (defined without a name using lambda)

Data Type Types (Mutable vs Immutable)

• Mutable data can be changed in-place (e.g., lists)
• Immutable data cannot be changed in-place (e.g., tuples)

Test your knowledge on Python's fundamental concepts with this quiz. It covers topics such as data types, tokens, and the characteristics of Python as an interpreted language. See how well you understand the essentials of Python programming.