Python Programming Basics

Hands-on Coding Practice

• Learn to write and execute basic programs using coding concepts.
• Identify and correct common coding errors.

Python Programming Language

• Easy to read and understand.

Writing your First Program

• print("Welcome to Coding!")
  • Prints a simple message to the console.

Basic Programming Structures

• Variables: Store information with various data types.
  • name = "Alice" - Variable name stores the value "Alice".
• Conditional Statements: Allow programs to make decisions.
  • if age >= 18: print("You are an adult.") else: print("You are a minor.")
• Loops: Repeat actions in a program.
  • for i in range(1, 6): print(i) # Prints numbers 1 through 5.

Key Syntax Rules

• Indentation: Defines blocks of code.
  • if 5 > 2: print("Five is greater than two!")
• Comments: Explain code and are ignored by Python.
  • # This is a single-line comment print("Hello, World!")
• Statements: Instructions for Python to execute.
  • x = 5; y = 10; print(x + y) # Multiple statements on one line
• Expressions: Combine values and evaluate to a value.
  • result = 5 + 10 # Evaluates to 15

Important Functions

• input(): Gathers input from the user.
  • name = input("What is your name?")
  • Returns a string.
  • Convert to other data types if needed.
• print(): Displays output to the user.
  • print("Hello, World!")
  • Print multiple items by separating them with commas.
  • print("Name:", name, "Age:", age)

Running Code

• Use "Run" or "Execute" button in the code editor.
• Output appears in a console or output window.

Coding Errors

• Syntax Errors: Code does not follow programming language rules.
  • print("Hello World" # Missing closing parenthesis
• Runtime Errors: Program encounters an issue during execution.
  • x = 10 / 0 - Division by zero.
• Logical Errors: Code produces incorrect results due to logical mistakes.
  • age = 20 if age > 18: print("You are not an adult.")

Debugging

• Finding and fixing errors (bugs).
• Debugging Tips:
  • Read error messages.
  • Check syntax carefully.
  • Test small parts of the code.

Introduction

• This unit focuses on hands-on coding practice.
• Students will write simple programs and receive feedback.
• Learning outcome: Write and execute basic programs, identify and correct errors.

Code in Action

• Python is the programming language used due to its readability.
• Basic program: print("Welcome to Coding!")
• Variables store information in various data types:
  • Example: name = "Alice"
• Conditional statements allow programs to make decisions:
  • Example: if age >= 18: print("You are an adult.")
• Loops repeat actions:
  • Example: for i in range(1, 6): print(i)

Key Syntax Elements

• Indentation defines blocks of code.
• Comments explain code and are ignored by Python.
• Statements are instructions executed by Python.
• Expressions combine values and evaluate to a value.

Input and Output Functions

• input() gathers input from the user, returns a string.
• print() displays output to the user.

Debugging

• Syntax errors occur when code violates language rules.
• Runtime errors happen during program execution, like dividing by zero.
• Logical errors result in incorrect output due to faulty logic.
• Debugging involves finding and fixing errors ("bugs").
• Debugging tips:
  • Read error messages.
  • Check syntax carefully.
  • Test small parts of your code.

Coding in Action

• Python is the chosen programming language for this course due to its readability.
• The code print("Welcome to Coding!") prints a simple message.
• Variables store data using different data types, like name = "Alice".
• Conditional statements enable decision-making in programs, using if and else clauses.
• for loops iterate actions, as demonstrated in for i in range(1, 6): print(i).

Key Syntax Rules

• Indentation determines code blocks, essential for structure.
• Comments are ignored by Python and used for explanations.
• Statements are instructions executed by Python.
• Expressions combine values to evaluate to a single value.

Input and Output Functions

• The input() function gathers user input, returning it as a string. It requires conversion to other data types if needed.
• The print() function displays output to the user, accommodating multiple items separated by commas.

Common Coding Errors

• Syntax Errors: Occur when code violates language rules, like missing parentheses.
• Runtime Errors: Happen during program execution, often from issues like dividing by zero.
• Logical Errors: Lead to incorrect results due to flawed logic within the code.

Debugging Tips

• Pay attention to error messages as they provide clues to the problem.
• Carefully review syntax for correct punctuation and structure.
• Test smaller sections of your code to isolate the source of errors.

Explore the fundamentals of Python programming by learning to write and execute basic programs. This quiz covers important coding concepts, including variables, conditional statements, and loops. Test your knowledge on key syntax rules and common coding errors.