Python Input

Python Input, Output, Comparisons, and Boolean Logic

• Python programs are written actions to solve problems using a programming language.
• Input can be taken from the user directly or through the keyboard, file, or system.
• The input function in Python is used to get input from the user through the keyboard.
• All inputs are saved as strings, but type conversion functions like int(), float(), and str() can be used to convert them into proper data types.
• The output of a program can be displayed on the screen or console and saved in various file formats.
• Boolean data type represents binary values of true or false and is useful for representing answers to yes/no questions.
• Booleans have only two values in Python: True and False.
• Numeric and string comparisons in Python can be done using comparison operators like ==, !=, >, <, >=, and <=.
• Logical operators like and, or, and not can be used to combine and modify boolean expressions.
• Complex boolean expressions can be built using logical operators and other kinds of operators.
• Extended operator precedence in Python follows a specific order of operation for different operators.
• The next lecture will cover how to use boolean expressions to control the flow of program execution.

Conditional Execution in Python

• Control flow determines the order in which statements in a program are executed.
• Python code has sequential control flow by default, but different control structures can result in different kinds of control flow.
• The most basic control structure is a sequence of statements executed in order.
• In a selection control structure, a condition determines which statements are executed, introducing multiple paths for control flow to take.
• Drawing control flow over a flowchart can be helpful when reasoning about a program's logic.
• The if statement is used for simple conditional execution, executing a statement if a condition is truthy and doing nothing if it is falsy.
• The else statement can be used to define an alternative code path in the selection control structure.
• The elif statement is used for chained conditionals with multiple conditions, allowing for multiple branches in the same selection control structure.
• Indentation is important in Python, and consistent indentation must be used to group statements.
• Empty blocks in if, elif, or else statements will result in an error, but the pass keyword can be used to do nothing.
• Take care when creating variables in a conditional and using them afterwards, as they may not be defined in all possible control flows leading to that point.
• Complex decisions can be handled by nesting if statements, but print statements can be used to trace control flow and help with debugging.

Variables, Statements, and Comments in Python

• Intended Learning Outcomes of the topic include writing simple statements and expressions, using sensible variable names and comments to improve code readability, and understanding the difference between integers, floats, and strings.

• Labs start in week 2, where students will be setting up programming software and attending the lab they have enrolled in.

• Users see computers as a set of tools, while programmers learn computer languages to write programs and build new tools for themselves and others.

• A program is a set of written actions to fulfill a need or solve a problem, created using a programming language like Python.

• A computer program is a sequence of instructions that specifies how to perform a computation, including input, process, math, conditional execution, repetition, and output.

• Values or literals are basic things a program works with, like numbers or letters, and can represent numbers, text, and other known values required by the program.

• Variables are named places in memory where data can be stored and retrieved using the variable name, and their contents can change.

• Variables can be defined or created via assignment, which links a variable name with a value, and can also be used to update the value of an existing variable.

• Variable names must only contain letters, digits, and underscores, and cannot begin with a digit. Lowercase/uppercase matters, and there are reserved words that cannot be used as variable names.

• Statements in Python are complete steps that make up a program, including expression, print, assignment, and input statements, and they are executed in a well-defined order.

• Meaningful variable names and comments can greatly increase code readability for human programmers, and common naming conventions include separating words with underscores and naming constants in uppercase.

• Comments in Python start with a hash (#) and can be used to annotate code in plain English, explain complex sections, leave notes for future work, or temporarily disable code by "commenting it out" with a hash.Programming Fundamentals: Expressions and Types

• Expressions are small pieces of code that resolve to a value.

• Expressions can use operators to compute a result, such as numeric operators (+, -, *, /, **, %, //).

• Python operators have a certain precedence (order of evaluation) that follows PEMDAS (parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction).

• Python has different types of data, including strings, integers, floats, and booleans.

• Different types of data behave differently and Python chooses what operators to use based on the types.

• Type conversion is the process of deriving a value of a different type from an existing value, and can be done explicitly or automatically by Python.

• Converting numbers to strings can be useful for building output messages, and vice versa for accepting input.

• A program can be created to convert a temperature value from Celsius to Fahrenheit using the formula F = (C * 9/5) + 32.

• The program involves identifying inputs and outputs, processing steps, and translating the steps into Python code.

• User input can be converted into a float type to allow for fractional temperatures.

• The next lecture will cover the boolean type, comparison operators, and logical expressions.

• The lecture slides and recording will be made available on LMS.Introduction to Programming: Why Learn Programming, Computational Thinking, and Python

• The lecturer for the subject is Nasser Sabar.

• The subject is structured with 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of labs per week.

• All subject material is available on the Learning Management System (LMS).

• The subject will cover topics such as algorithms, flowcharts, statements, expressions, booleans, conditional execution, iteration, functions, objects, strings, files, data structures, software errors, using modules, structuring and documenting code, algorithm design strategies, and revision.

• The intended learning outcomes include being able to analyze a data processing problem, design a solution, and implement that solution as a working computer program written in Python.

• Learning programming is useful because it empowers individuals, saves time, and opens up job opportunities.

• Computational thinking involves designing clear, unambiguous, step-by-step instructions for computers to follow.

• Programming languages, such as Python, are structured, unambiguous ways of describing algorithms.

• Python is designed to be human-friendly and emphasizes code readability.

• Python is free and can be downloaded and installed on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.

• The subject will be assessed through 2 programming assignments and a final exam.

• Cheating is not allowed and can result in severe penalties, including expulsion.Introduction to Flowcharts

• Computers follow algorithms to solve tasks, and programming languages such as Python are used to express algorithms to computers.

• Flowcharts can be used to design algorithms before writing a single line of code.

• Describing processes in detail is important for machines because they lack "human intuition".

• A flowchart diagram details the flow of a process and describes steps clearly and unambiguously.

• Flowcharts can be a useful tool for designing computer programs before writing code.

• The first flowcharts were introduced in 1921 and covered workflows like "loading rifle grenades".

• A flowchart consists of shapes joined with arrows, with arrows describing the flow of the process and shapes describing steps in the process.

• Flowchart elements include start/stop elements, process elements, input/output elements, decision elements, and connectors.

• Effective flowcharts should be clear, concise, and complete, with a logical order and top-to-bottom layout.

• The number of arrows for each flowchart element should be correct, and connectors should be used where appropriate.

• The next lecture will cover basic elements of programming code such as variables, statements, and comments.

• Lab classes will start next week, where attendees will set up programming software.

Variables, Statements, and Comments in Python

• Intended Learning Outcomes of the topic include writing simple statements and expressions, using sensible variable names and comments to improve code readability, and understanding the difference between integers, floats, and strings.

• Labs start in week 2, where students will be setting up programming software and attending the lab they have enrolled in.

• Users see computers as a set of tools, while programmers learn computer languages to write programs and build new tools for themselves and others.

• A program is a set of written actions to fulfill a need or solve a problem, created using a programming language like Python.

• A computer program is a sequence of instructions that specifies how to perform a computation, including input, process, math, conditional execution, repetition, and output.

• Values or literals are basic things a program works with, like numbers or letters, and can represent numbers, text, and other known values required by the program.

• Variables are named places in memory where data can be stored and retrieved using the variable name, and their contents can change.

• Variables can be defined or created via assignment, which links a variable name with a value, and can also be used to update the value of an existing variable.

• Variable names must only contain letters, digits, and underscores, and cannot begin with a digit. Lowercase/uppercase matters, and there are reserved words that cannot be used as variable names.

• Statements in Python are complete steps that make up a program, including expression, print, assignment, and input statements, and they are executed in a well-defined order.

• Meaningful variable names and comments can greatly increase code readability for human programmers, and common naming conventions include separating words with underscores and naming constants in uppercase.

• Comments in Python start with a hash (#) and can be used to annotate code in plain English, explain complex sections, leave notes for future work, or temporarily disable code by "commenting it out" with a hash.Programming Fundamentals: Expressions and Types

• Expressions are small pieces of code that resolve to a value.

• Expressions can use operators to compute a result, such as numeric operators (+, -, *, /, **, %, //).

• Python operators have a certain precedence (order of evaluation) that follows PEMDAS (parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction).

• Python has different types of data, including strings, integers, floats, and booleans.

• Different types of data behave differently and Python chooses what operators to use based on the types.

• Type conversion is the process of deriving a value of a different type from an existing value, and can be done explicitly or automatically by Python.

• Converting numbers to strings can be useful for building output messages, and vice versa for accepting input.

• A program can be created to convert a temperature value from Celsius to Fahrenheit using the formula F = (C * 9/5) + 32.

• The program involves identifying inputs and outputs, processing steps, and translating the steps into Python code.

• User input can be converted into a float type to allow for fractional temperatures.

• The next lecture will cover the boolean type, comparison operators, and logical expressions.

• The lecture slides and recording will be made available on LMS.Introduction to Programming: Why Learn Programming, Computational Thinking, and Python

• The lecturer for the subject is Nasser Sabar.

• The subject is structured with 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of labs per week.

• All subject material is available on the Learning Management System (LMS).

• The subject will cover topics such as algorithms, flowcharts, statements, expressions, booleans, conditional execution, iteration, functions, objects, strings, files, data structures, software errors, using modules, structuring and documenting code, algorithm design strategies, and revision.

• The intended learning outcomes include being able to analyze a data processing problem, design a solution, and implement that solution as a working computer program written in Python.

• Learning programming is useful because it empowers individuals, saves time, and opens up job opportunities.

• Computational thinking involves designing clear, unambiguous, step-by-step instructions for computers to follow.

• Programming languages, such as Python, are structured, unambiguous ways of describing algorithms.

• Python is designed to be human-friendly and emphasizes code readability.

• Python is free and can be downloaded and installed on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.

• The subject will be assessed through 2 programming assignments and a final exam.

• Cheating is not allowed and can result in severe penalties, including expulsion.Introduction to Flowcharts

• Computers follow algorithms to solve tasks, and programming languages such as Python are used to express algorithms to computers.

• Flowcharts can be used to design algorithms before writing a single line of code.

• Describing processes in detail is important for machines because they lack "human intuition".

• A flowchart diagram details the flow of a process and describes steps clearly and unambiguously.

• Flowcharts can be a useful tool for designing computer programs before writing code.

• The first flowcharts were introduced in 1921 and covered workflows like "loading rifle grenades".

• A flowchart consists of shapes joined with arrows, with arrows describing the flow of the process and shapes describing steps in the process.

• Flowchart elements include start/stop elements, process elements, input/output elements, decision elements, and connectors.

• Effective flowcharts should be clear, concise, and complete, with a logical order and top-to-bottom layout.

• The number of arrows for each flowchart element should be correct, and connectors should be used where appropriate.

• The next lecture will cover basic elements of programming code such as variables, statements, and comments.

• Lab classes will start next week, where attendees will set up programming software.