Introduction
to Python
Part 1
COMP 8347
Usama Mir
[email protected]
Python Basics
Topics
Introduction
Why Python
Overview of IDLE
Input and Print in Python
2
Why Python?
java
py
Source: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&geo=US&q=%2Fm%2F05z1_,%2Fm%2F07sbkfb
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Why Python?
Developed by Guido Van Simple syntax and easy It emphasizes
Rossum to learn readability
Used for:
•RAD and Scripting Supports object-
What we see today on
•Process text oriented programming:
our devices is because
•Display images with classes and
of Python
•Making calculations and multiple inheritance.
predictions
Dynamically typed
language: Do not have Python vs. Java?
to assign variable types
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Notable Features of Python
Elegant syntax and easy to use: programs easier to read.
Large standard library: supports many common
programming tasks e.g. connecting to web servers,
regular expressions, file I/O.
A bundled development environment called IDLE.
Runs on different computers and operating systems:
Windows, MacOS, many brands of Unix, OS/2, ...
Free software: Free to download or use Python - the
language is copyrighted it's available under an open
source license.
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Indentation
Python does not use brackets to structure code, instead it uses
whitespaces
Tabs are not permitted.
Four spaces are required to create a new block,
To end a block simply move the cursor four positions left.
An example: Nested loop
for i in range(5):
for j in range(10):
print(j)
print(i)
print('done')
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IDLE
IDLE: Basic IDE that comes with
Python
Should be available from Start
Menu under Python program
group.
Main "Interpreter" window.
Allows us to enter
commands directly into
Python
As soon as we enter in a
command Python will
execute it display the
result.
'>>>' signs act as a
prompt.
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IDLE EXAMPLE
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Numeric Data Types
int: represents positive and negative whole numbers.
Written without a decimal point
e.g., 5, -2, 5555555555, 7
float: written with a decimal point
e.g., 3.0, 5.8421, 0.0, -32.5 etc.
Rest in part 2…..
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Arithmetic Operators
Basic arithmetic operators: + (addition), - (subtraction), *
(multiplication), / (division)
• / (division) produces floating point 15/3 → 5.0
value
• // (integer division) truncates any 25//3 → 8
fractional part
• % (remainder) gives the remainder after 25%3 → 1
integer division.
• Augmented assignment operators: +=, -
=, *=, /=
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Basic Input/Print
Built-in input() function accepts input from user.
Takes optional string argument to print on console
Waits for user to type response and hit Enter
If no text, user just hits enter: return empty string
Otherwise, return string containing entered text
Example: i = input(“Enter an integer: ”)
Built-in print() function for output.
Example: print(“int = ”, i)
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References
Slides from Dr. Arunita and Dr. Saja
https://www.linkedin.com/learning/python-quick-
start/python-vs-
java?autoAdvance=true&autoSkip=true&autoplay=true&
resume=false&u=56973065
https://www.coursera.org/articles/python-vs-java
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