Introduction to Python

Chris Piech and Mehran Sahami

CS106A, Stanford University

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 More on Programming Style
"""
File: SteepleChaseKarel.py
-------------------------- Comments for program
Karel runs a steeple chase that is 9 avenues long.
Hurdles are of arbitrary height and placement.
and every function
"""

"""
To run a race that is 9 avenues long, we need to move
forward or jump hurdles 8 times.
"""
def main():
for i in range(8): Decomposition principle:
if front_is_clear(): Consistent Each function should solve
move()
else: indentation one step of problem
jump_hurdle()

"""
Pre-condition: Facing East at bottom of hurdle
Post-condition: Facing East at bottom in next avenue after hurdle
"""
def jump_hurdle(): Descriptive names
ascend_hurdle()
move() Short functions (snake_case)
descend_hurdle() (usually 1-15 lines)
Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University
What’s Mozart Doing Now?

if mehran_teaching():
not_funny()

while mehran_teaching():
not_funny()

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Welcome to Python

Guido van Rossum

(Creator of Python)

Monty Python’s Flying Circus

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Today’s Goal

1. Introduction to Python
2. Understanding variables

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Our First Python Program
"""
File: helloworld.py
-------------------
This is our first python program. It is customary to
have a programmer's first program write "hello world"
(inspired by the first program in Brian Kernighan and
Dennis Ritchie's classic book, 'The C Programming Language.')
"""

def main():
print("hello, world!")

# This provided line is required at the end of a Python

# file to call the main() function.
if __name__ == '__main__':
main() # little bit different than in Karel
Our First Python Program
Our First Python Program
Our First Python Program

This is on a PC.
On Macs: python3 helloworld.py
Our First Python Program
You’re now all Python
programmers!

hey_that_looks_
like_what_I_
taught_them()

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")

This program adds two numbers.

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number:

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 "9"

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number:

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9 num2 "17"

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number: 17

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9 num2 17

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number: 17

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9 num2 17 total 26

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number: 17

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Another Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9 num2 17 total 26

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number: 17
The total is 26.

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 print function

print("This program adds two numbers.")

• print command prints text to the terminal

• Text printed is between double quotes ("text")
– Can also be between single quotes ('text')
– Choice of quotes depends on text you are printing
• Double quotes when text contains single quotes
print("no, you didn't") è no, you didn't
• Single quotes when text contains double quotes
print('say "hi" Karel') è say "hi" Karel

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 input function

num1 = input("Enter first number: ")

• input command gets text input from the user

• Prints text specified in double/single quotes
– Then waits for user input
– Here, user input from input is put in a variable (num1)
– The user input is considered text, even if user entered a
number
• We'll talk more about input function later

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 What is a Variable?

x 10

• A variable is a place to store information in a program

• It associates a name with a value
• You can create a new variable by assigning a value:
x = 10

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 What is a Variable?

x 10
5

• A variable is a place to store information in a program

• It associates a name with a value
• You can create a new variable by assigning a value:
x = 10
– The value can change with a new assignment
x = 5

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 What is a Variable?

x 12
5

• A variable is a place to store information in a program

• It associates a name with a value
• You can create a new variable by assigning a value:
x = 10
– The value can change with a new assignment
x = 5
– You can set the value using mathematical expressions
x = 5 + 7
– More about expressions next class
Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University
 Variable Assignment
• You use the equal sign (=) to assign to a variable
– The first time you assign a value to a variable, you create it
– Subsequent assignments give the variable a new value
• Assignment is not the same as "equals" in math
– Assignment: first evaluate right-hand side, then assign to the
variable on the left-hand side
– Consider the following code:
total = 5
total = total + 1
• Variables are only visible inside the function in which
they are created (called "scope" of variable)
– If you create a variable in main(), its only visible in main()
– More on that next class
Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University
 Variable Names

• Variable names must:

– Start with a letter or an underscore ( _ )
– Contain only letters, digits, or underscores
– Cannot be a "built in" command in Python (e.g., for)
• Variable names are case sensitive
– Hello is not the name as hello
• Variable names should:
– Be descriptive of the value they refer to
• E.g., x is only a good name if it's a coordinate
– Be in snake case (e.g., num_students)
Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University
 Suitcase Analogy

x 12

• When you store information in a variable, it becomes

a Python object
– Objects come in different sizes and types
• Think about a Python object as a suitcase stored in
your computer’s memory
– Object take up different amounts of RAM depending on
what you’re storing.

You have space for

millions on suitcases!

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Suitcase Analogy
• Variable is a luggage tag that gives a name to suitcase
num_students = 700
– Value is what is stored in the suitcase
– Create the tag/suitcase the first time you assign to variable

num_students 700

num_in_class = 550 Python handles the

baggage for you!

num_in_class 550
num_absent = num_students – num_in_class

num_absent 150
Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University
 Types
• Each suitcase knows what type of information it carries
num_students = 700

num_students

int
700

– Value stored in suitcase is an integer (called an int in Python)

– Suitcase keeps track of type of data that is stored there
num_students = 700.0 # note decimal point
– Now, value stored is a real number (called a float in Python)

float
num_students 700

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Some Types in Python
• int: integer value (no decimal point)
x = 10 y = -2
• float: real number value (has decimal point)
x = 5.0 y = -3.7
• string: text characters (between single/double quotes)
x = "hello" y = '10'
– Note: the string "5" is not the same as the integer 5
• bool: Boolean logical values (True/False)
x = True y = False

• More on strings and bools in a few days

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University
 Why Do We Have int and float?

• How much do I weigh?

– Answer can be a real valued number
– There is no "next" number
– This would be a float

• How many children do I have?

– Answer is an integer
– There is a well-defined "next" number
– This would be an int

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")

This program adds two numbers.

• print command is displaying a string

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 "9"

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9

• input command gives you back a string

– Even if the user types in a number
Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University
 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9

• Create int version of string and assign it back to num1

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Show Me The Luggage!
• input command gives you back a string
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")

string
num1 "9"

– We create an integer version of num1

num1 = int(num1)
– Create a new suitcase that has int version of num1
– Then assign the tag num1 to that piece of luggage
num1 = int(num1)

num1

int
9

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9

• Create int version of string and assign it back to num1

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number:

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9 num2 "17"

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number: 17

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9 num2 17

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number: 17

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9 num2 17 total 26

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number: 17

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9 num2 17 total 26

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number: 17
The total is 26.

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 What's Going on With print
• Adding strings in print command?!
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
• The + operator concatenates strings together
str1 = "hi"
str2 = " "
str3 = "there"
str4 = str1 + str2 + str3
• total is integer, so we need to create a string version
str(total)
– String version of total is a new value that is concatenated
to produce final string that is printed
– Original variable total is still an int
Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University
 Recall, Our Program
def main():
print("This program adds two numbers.")
num1 = input("Enter first number: ")
num1 = int(num1)
num2 = input("Enter second number: ")
num2 = int(num2)
total = num1 + num2
print("The total is " + str(total) + ".")
num1 9 num2 17 total 26

This program adds two numbers.

Enter first number: 9
Enter second number: 17
The total is 26.

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Side note about print
• You can print numbers by themselves directly
– Only need to create string version of numbers when printing
other text (strings) with them
def main():
x = 10
y = 3.5
print(x)
print(y)
print("x = " + str(x))

10
3.5
x = 10
Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University
You just wrote your first
Python program and learned
about variables!

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 Today’s Goal

1. Introduction to Python
2. Understanding variables

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University

 add2numbers.py

Piech and Sahami, CS106A, Stanford University