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 Python
for Beginners

Master Python Programming from

Basics to Advanced Level

Tim Simon
© Copyright 2024 - All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written
permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S.
copyright law.
Legal Notice:
This book is copyright protected. This is only for personal use. You cannot
amend, distribute, sell, use, quote or paraphrase any part or the content
within this book without the consent of the author.
Disclaimer Notice: This publication is designed to provide accurate and
authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is
sold with the understanding that neither the author nor the publisher is
engaged in rendering legal, investment, accounting or other
professional services. While the publisher and author have used their
best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or
warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents
of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may
be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales
materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be
suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional when
appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for
any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not
limited to special, incidental, consequential, personal, or other
damages.
 Table of Contents

Introduction to Python
Basics of Python Programming
Working with Data
Functions and Modules
Error Handling and Debugging
Object-Oriented Programming
Working with Databases
Python in Web Development
Advanced Python Concepts
Real-World Python Projects
Where to Go Next?
 Introduction to Python

Python was conceived in the late 1980s by Guido van Rossum, a Dutch
programmer, at the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) in the
Netherlands. The inception of Python was influenced by van Rossum's
desire to create a language that overcame the shortcomings of ABC, a
language he had worked on at CWI. He sought to develop a language that
was both powerful and easy to use, combining the best features of Unix/C
and Modula-3, with a syntax that was both readable and concise.

The name 'Python' was inspired by the British comedy series 'Monty
Python's Flying Circus', reflecting van Rossum's goal to make programming
fun and accessible. The first version of Python (Python 0.9.0) was released
in February 1991, introducing fundamental features like exception
handling, functions, and the core datatypes that Python is known for.
Design Philosophy: The Zen of Python

Python's design philosophy emphasizes code readability and simplicity.

This philosophy is best encapsulated in "The Zen of Python", a collection of
aphorisms that express the guiding principles for Python's design. Written
by Tim Peters, a major contributor to Python, it includes precepts such as
"Beautiful is better than ugly," "Simple is better than complex," and
"Readability counts." These principles have guided Python's development,
ensuring that the language remains intuitive and maintainable.
One of Python's most distinctive features is its use of significant
whitespace. Unlike many other languages, Python uses indentation to define
code blocks, eliminating the need for curly braces. This feature, while
controversial at first, has been credited with encouraging programmers to
write cleaner, more readable code.
Python's Evolution and Adoption
Python's journey from a modest scripting language to a major force in
programming has been marked by steady evolution. Its versatility has been
enhanced by the development of numerous libraries and frameworks,
catering to a wide range of applications – from web development with
frameworks like Django and Flask, to scientific computing with libraries
like NumPy and SciPy, and machine learning with TensorFlow and
PyTorch.

Python's surge in popularity can also be attributed to its community-driven

development. The Python Enhancement Proposal (PEP) process, where
community members propose, discuss, and vote on changes to the language,
has been pivotal in Python's evolution. This democratic approach has
fostered a vibrant and inclusive Python community, contributing to its
widespread adoption.
Impact on the Programming World

Python's impact on the programming world has been profound. Its

simplicity makes it an ideal first language, lowering the barrier to entry into
the world of programming. In academia, Python has replaced languages like
Java and C++ as the preferred teaching language due to its simplicity and
readability.

In the professional realm, Python’s flexibility and the vast array of libraries
have made it a favorite among startups and tech giants alike. It has become
integral in emerging fields like data science, artificial intelligence, and
machine learning, driving innovation and research.
Python's growth is also reflected in its consistent ranking as one of the most
popular programming languages. Its usage spans across various domains,
from web development to scientific computing, making it a versatile tool in
a programmer's arsenal.

Setting Up Your Environment

Python is a cross-platform language, meaning it can be installed and run on
various operating systems such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
Regardless of the operating system, the installation process is
straightforward.
 1. Downloading Python: Visit the official Python website at
python.org. Navigate to the Downloads section, where the site
typically recommends the latest version for your operating system.
Python 3.x is the version you should install, as Python 2.x is no
longer supported.

2. Installation Process:

Windows: The Windows installer includes an option to add

Python to your PATH environment variable. Ensure this box is
checked, as it allows you to run Python from the command line.
MacOS: The MacOS installation is similar to Windows. After
mounting the downloaded package, follow the on-screen
instructions.
Linux: Most Linux distributions come with Python pre-installed.
To check if Python is installed and to see its version, you can use
the command python --version or python3 --version in the
terminal.

3. Verifying Installation: To verify that Python is installed correctly,

open your command line interface (Terminal on MacOS and Linux,
Command Prompt or PowerShell on Windows) and type python or
python3. If Python is installed and the PATH is set correctly, you
should see the Python interpreter's version and a prompt to start
coding.
Choosing an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
While Python code can be written in a simple text editor, using an
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) can significantly enhance your
coding experience. An IDE provides features like syntax highlighting, code
completion, and debugging tools. Some popular IDEs for Python include:

PyCharm: Widely used in the professional field, PyCharm offers a

range of tools for Python development. There is a free Community
version and a paid Professional version.
 Visual Studio Code (VS Code): A free, open-source editor that is
highly customizable and supports a wide range of programming
languages, including Python.
Jupyter Notebook: Ideal for data science and analysis, Jupyter
Notebook offers an interactive environment where you can execute
code in sections.
Choose an IDE that best fits your needs and learning style. Each IDE has its
installation process, so refer to the respective documentation for guidance.
Setting Up a Virtual Environment
Python virtual environments are a best practice for managing project-
specific dependencies. They allow you to install packages in an isolated
environment, avoiding version conflicts between projects.

1. Creating a Virtual Environment: Navigate to your project's

directory in the command line and execute python -m venv myenv,
replacing myenv with your desired environment name. This
command creates a folder myenv which contains the Python
interpreter, libraries, and scripts.
2. Activating the Virtual Environment:

Windows: Run myenv\Scripts\activate.bat.

MacOS/Linux: Run source myenv/bin/activate.

3. Using the Virtual Environment: While the environment is active,

any Python packages you install using pip will be placed in the
virtual environment, isolated from the global Python installation.
Managing Packages with Pip
Pip is Python's package installer, allowing you to install and manage
additional libraries that are not part of the Python standard library. To install
a package, simply use pip install package_name. It's also good practice to
keep a record of a project's dependencies using a requirements.txt file,
which can be generated using pip freeze > requirements.txt.
Writing and Executing a Simple Python Script
Your First Python Program: Writing and Executing a Simple Python
Script
Python programs, at their simplest, are text files with a .py extension
containing Python code. Unlike many other programming languages,
Python does not require a complex setup to execute simple scripts. Let's
start with a fundamental program: printing a message to the screen.
Creating Your Python File:

Open your chosen text editor or IDE.

Create a new file and save it with a .py extension, for example,
hello_world.py.
Writing Your First Python Code:
In the file, type the following code:
1. print("Hello, World!")

This line of code is a print statement, which outputs the enclosed string to
the console.
Executing the Script:

Open your command line interface.

Navigate to the directory where your hello_world.py file is
saved.
Run the script by typing python hello_world.py or python3
hello_world.py (depending on your Python installation).
If everything is set up correctly, you will see the message Hello, World!
printed in the console. Congratulations, you've just written and executed
your first Python script!
Understanding the Print Function
The print function is one of the most commonly used Python functions. It
sends data to the console, which is a text-based interface for interacting
with the computer. In our example, print("Hello, World!") sends the string
"Hello, World!" to the console.
Adding Comments
Comments are an essential part of programming. They are used to explain
what the code is doing, making it easier to understand for yourself and
others. In Python, comments start with a # symbol.
Add a comment to your script:
1. # This script prints a message to the console
2. print("Hello, World!")

Variables and User Input

Next, let's enhance the script by using variables and user input.
A variable in Python is used to store information that can be used in the
program. For example:
1. message = "Hello, Python!"
2. print(message)

Python also allows for user input. Modify your script to include input
functionality:
1. # Ask the user for their name
2. name = input("What is your name? ")

3.
4. # Print a personalized message
5. print("Hello, " + name + "!")

When you run this script, it will pause and wait for you to type your name.
After entering your name and pressing Enter, it will greet you personally.
Basic Error Handling
As a beginner, encountering errors is a normal part of the learning process.
These errors are often syntax errors, like missing a quotation mark or a
parenthesis. Python will try to tell you where it found a problem in your
code.
 For instance, if you mistakenly wrote pritn instead of print, Python
will raise a NameError, indicating that it doesn't recognize pritn.
Always read error messages carefully; they provide valuable clues
about what went wrong.
Basic Python Syntax

Python syntax refers to the set of rules that define how a Python program is
written and interpreted. Unlike many other programming languages, Python
emphasizes readability and simplicity, making it an excellent choice for
beginners. Understanding Python syntax is crucial for writing efficient and
error-free code.
Basic Syntax Rules
Indentation:
Python uses indentation to define code blocks, replacing the braces {} used
in many other languages. The amount of indentation (spaces or tabs) should
be consistent throughout the code block.
Example:
1. if True:
2. print("This is indented.")

In this example, the print statement is part of the if block due to its
indentation.
Variables:
Variables in Python are created when they are first assigned a value. Python
is dynamically-typed, which means you don't need to declare the type of a
variable when you create one.
Example:
1. my_number = 10
2. my_string = "Hello, Python!"

Comments:
Comments are used to explain the code and are not executed. In Python, a
comment is created by inserting a hash mark # before the text.
Example:
1. # This is a comment
2. print("This is not a comment")

Statements:

Python programs are made up of statements. A statement is an

instruction that the Python interpreter can execute.
In Python, the end of a statement is marked by a newline character.
However, you can extend a statement over multiple lines using
parentheses (), brackets [], or braces {}.
Example of a single-line statement:
1. print("Hello, Python!")

Example of a multi-line statement:

1. my_list = [
2. 1, 2, 3,
3. 4, 5, 6
4. ]

Functions:
A function in Python is defined using the def keyword, followed by a
function name, a signature within parentheses (), and a colon :. The
function body is indented.
Example:
1. def greet(name):
2. print("Hello, " + name)
3. greet("Alice")

Code Structure
Import Statements:
At the beginning of a Python file, it's common to include import statements
to include external modules.
Example:
1. import math
2. print(math.sqrt(16))

Main Block:

In larger scripts, it's a good practice to have a main block to control

the execution of the program.
This is typically done using an if statement that checks if the script
is being run directly.
Example:
1. def main():
2. print("This is the main function.")

3.
4. if __name__ == "__main__":
5. main()

Classes:
Classes are used to create new object types in Python. They are defined
using the class keyword.
Example:
1. class MyFirstClass:
2. def method(self):
3. print("This is a method of MyFirstClass.")

Best Practices

Consistency: Follow the PEP 8 style guide for Python code to

ensure consistency.
Descriptive Names: Use descriptive names for variables and
functions to make your code self-explanatory.
Avoiding Complexity: Keep your code simple. Complex, nested
structures can make your code hard to follow.
 Basics of Python Programming

Variables and Data Types A variable in Python is a symbolic

name that is a reference or pointer to an object. Once an object
is assigned to a variable, you can refer to the object by that
name. In Python, variables do not need explicit declaration to
reserve memory space. The declaration happens automatically
when a value is assigned to a variable.
Creating Variables: Variables are created the moment you first assign a
value to them.
Example:
1. my_variable = 10
2. greeting = "Hello, Python!"

In this example, my_variable is an integer variable, and greeting is a string

variable.
Data Types
Python has various standard data types that are used to define the operations
possible on them and the storage method for each of them. The fundamental
types are numbers, strings, and booleans.
Strings:

Strings in Python are identified as a contiguous set of characters

represented in quotation marks.
Python allows for either pairs of single or double quotes.
Strings can be concatenated, and basic operations like slicing can be
performed.
Example:
1. first_name = "John"
2. last_name = "Doe"
 3. full_name = first_name + " " + last_name # Concatenation
4. print(full_name) # Outputs: John Doe

Numbers:

Python supports integers, floating point numbers, and complex

numbers.
An integer is a whole number, positive or negative, without
decimals.
Floats are floating-point numbers; they represent real numbers and
can include fractions.
Example:
1. my_integer = 50
2. my_float = 25.5
3. sum = my_integer + my_float
4. print(sum) # Outputs: 75.5

Booleans:

Boolean data type is either True or False.

In Python, boolean values are the two constant objects False and
True.
Booleans are used to perform logical operations, particularly in
conditional statements.
Example:
1. is_active = True
2. is_registered = False

3.
4. if is_active and not is_registered:
5. print("Active but not registered.")

Dynamic Typing
 Python is dynamically typed, which means you don't have to
declare the type of a variable when you create one.
This makes Python very flexible in assigning data types; it allows
you to assign a different type to a variable if required.
Example:
1. var = 5
2. print(var) # Outputs: 5

3.
4. var = "Now I'm a string"
5. print(var) # Outputs: Now I'm a string

Mutable and Immutable Data Types

In Python, some data types are mutable, while others are

immutable.
Mutable objects can change their value but keep their id().
Examples include list, dict, set.
Immutable objects cannot change their value and include int, float,
bool, string, tuple.
Basic Operators Operators in Python are special symbols that
carry out arithmetic or logical computation. The value that the
operator operates on is called the operand. In Python,
operators are categorized into several types: arithmetic,
comparison, and assignment operators.
Arithmetic Operators Arithmetic operators are used to perform
mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division.

1. Addition (+): Adds two operands.

Example: 5 + 3 gives 8.

2. Subtraction (-): Subtracts the right operand from the left operand.
Example: 5 - 3 gives 2.

3. Multiplication (*): Multiplies two operands.

Example: 5 * 3 gives 15.

4. Division (/): Divides the left operand by the right operand. The
result is a floating point number.
Example: 5 / 2 gives 2.5.

5. Modulus (%): Returns the remainder when the left operand is

divided by the right operand.
Example: 5 % 3 gives 2.

6. Floor Division (//): Divides and returns the integer value of the
quotient. It dumps the digits after the decimal.
Example: 5 // 2 gives 2.

7. Exponentiation (**): Performs exponential calculation on

operators.
Example: 5 ** 3 gives 125.
Comparison Operators Comparison operators are used to compare
values. They return either True or False according to the condition.

1. Equal (==): Checks if the values of two operands are equal.

Example: 5 == 3 gives False.

2. Not Equal (!=): Checks if the values of two operands are not
equal.
Example: 5 != 3 gives True.

3. Greater than (>): Checks if the left operand is greater than the
right operand.
Example: 5 > 3 gives True.
 4. Less than (<): Checks if the left operand is less than the right
operand.
Example: 5 < 3 gives False.

5. Greater than or equal to (>=): Checks if the left operand is

greater than or equal to the right operand.
Example: 5 >= 3 gives True.

6. Less than or equal to (<=): Checks if the left operand is less

than or equal to the right operand.
Example: 5 <= 3 gives False.
Assignment Operators Assignment operators are used to assign values
to variables. In Python, assignment operators are more than just the
basic = (equals sign).

1. Assign (=): Assigns the value from the right side of the operator
to the left side operand.
Example: x = 5 assigns the value 5 to x.

2. Add and Assign (+=): It adds the right operand to the left
operand and assigns the result to the left operand.
Example: x += 5 is equivalent to x = x + 5.

3. Subtract and Assign (-=): Subtracts the right operand from the
left operand and assigns the result to the left operand.
Example: x -= 5 is equivalent to x = x - 5.

4. Multiply and Assign (*=): Multiplies the right operand with the
left operand and assigns the result to the left operand.
Example: x *= 5 is equivalent to x = x * 5.

5. Divide and Assign (/=): Divides the left operand with the right
operand and assigns the result to the left operand.
Example: x /= 5 is equivalent to x = x / 5.

6. Modulus and Assign (%=): Takes modulus using two operands

and assigns the result to the left operand.
Example: x %= 5 is equivalent to x = x % 5.

7. Floor Division and Assign (//=): Performs floor division on

operators and assigns the value to the left operand.
Example: x //= 5 is equivalent to x = x // 5.

8. Exponent and Assign (**=): Performs exponential calculation

on operators and assigns the value to the left operand.
Example: x **= 5 is equivalent to x = x ** 5.
Input and Output Operations In Python programming, input and
output operations are fundamental for interacting with the user
through the console. These operations are crucial for obtaining data
from the user, displaying results, or even for debugging purposes.
Output Operations The most common way to display output in Python
is using the print() function. It sends data to the console, which can be a
string, number, or any other data type that can be converted into a
string.
The print() Function:

Syntax: print(object(s), sep=separator, end=end, file=file,

flush=flush)
The print() function prints the given object(s) to the console or to
the given file. The separator between the objects is specified by sep
and defaults to a space character. After all objects are printed, end
is printed (it defaults to a newline character \n).
Example:
1. print("Hello, Python!")
2. print("Hello", "Python", sep="-")
3. print("Hello Python", end="!\n")
In the first example, "Hello, Python!" is printed with a newline at the end.
The second example demonstrates the use of the sep parameter to separate
the words with a hyphen. The third example shows how to end the line with
a custom string, in this case, an exclamation mark followed by a newline.
Formatting Output:

Python provides several methods to format strings. The most

common ones are the old style % formatting, the str.format()
method, and formatted string literals (also known as f-strings).
F-strings (introduced in Python 3.6) provide a concise and readable
way to embed expressions inside string literals.
Example:
1. name = "Alice"
2. age = 30
3. print(f"{name} is {age} years old.")

This example shows an f-string where the variables name and age are
directly embedded in the string.
Input Operations To read data from the console, Python provides the
input() function. This function reads a line from the input and returns
it as a string.
The input() Function:

Syntax: input(prompt)
The function displays the prompt string on the console (if
provided) and waits for the user to enter some data. Once the user
presses Enter, the function returns the entered line as a string.
Example:
1. name = input("Enter your name: ")
2. print(f"Hello, {name}!")

In this example, the program prompts the user to enter their name. The
entered name is then used in the greeting printed to the console.
Reading and Converting Types: Since input() returns a string, if you
expect a different type (like an integer), you need to convert the string to
the appropriate type using functions like int(), float(), etc.
Example:
1. age = input("Enter your age: ")
2. age = int(age) # Convert string to integer
3. print(f"You are {age} years old.")

This code snippet reads the user's age as a string and then converts it to an
integer for further processing.
Combining Input and Output Input and output operations often work
hand in hand to create interactive scripts. For example, you can
prompt the user to enter some data, process that data, and then display
the results using print().
Example:
1. number1 = int(input("Enter first number: "))
2. number2 = int(input("Enter second number: "))
3. sum = number1 + number2
4. print(f"The sum is {sum}")

Here, the program is asking the user to input two numbers, then it adds
these numbers and prints the sum.
Control Structures Control structures in Python direct the flow of your
program's execution. They allow for decision-making and repeating
actions, which are fundamental in creating dynamic and responsive
programs.
If Statements If statements in Python allow you to execute certain
pieces of code based on a condition. The basic structure of an if
statement includes the if keyword, a condition that evaluates to True or
False, and a block of code indented under the if statement that executes
if the condition is True.
Basic If Statement: Syntax:
1. if condition:
 2. # code to execute if condition is True

Example:
1. age = 20
2. if age >= 18:
3. print("You are an adult.")

In this example, the print statement will execute only if age is 18 or older.
If-Else Statement: The if-else structure allows you to specify an
alternative action when the if condition is False.
Syntax:
1. if condition:
2. # code to execute if condition is True
3. else:
4. # code to execute if condition is False

Example:
1. age = 16
2. if age >= 18:
3. print("You are an adult.")
4. else:
5. print("You are a minor.")

Elif Statement: The elif (short for else if) statement is used for multiple
conditions.
Syntax:
1. if condition1:
2. # code if condition1 is True
3. elif condition2:
4. # code if condition2 is True
5. else:
6. # code if neither condition is True

Example:
1. score = 75
 2. if score >= 90:
3. print("Grade A")
4. elif score >= 70:
5. print("Grade B")
6. else:
7. print("Grade below B")

Loops
Loops are used for iterating over a sequence (such as a list, tuple,
dictionary, set, or string), allowing you to execute a block of code multiple
times.
For Loop:
The for loop in Python is used to iterate over elements of a sequence. It is
often used when the number of iterations is known or finite.
Syntax:
1. for element in sequence:
2. # code to execute

Example:
1. fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
2. for fruit in fruits:
3. print(fruit)

This loop prints each element in the fruits list.

While Loop:
The while loop in Python is used to execute a block of code as long as a
condition is true.
Syntax:
1. while condition:
2. # code to execute

Example:
1. count = 1
 2. while count <= 5:
3. print(count)
4. count += 1

This loop prints numbers from 1 to 5.

Loop Control Statements: break: Used to exit a loop.
continue: Skips the current iteration and continues with the next iteration.
Example:
1. for number in range(1, 10):
2. if number == 5:
3. break
4. print(number)

This loop prints numbers from 1 to 4 and then breaks out of the loop when
the number is 5.
1. for number in range(1, 10):
2. if number == 5:
3. continue
4. print(number)

This loop skips the number 5 and continues printing up to 9.

 Working with Data

Lists and Tuples for Data Storage In Python, lists and tuples
are fundamental data structures for storing collections of items.
They are both versatile and can be used to hold a variety of
objects, but they have key differences in terms of mutability
and usage.
Lists
A list is an ordered collection of items which can be of varied data types.
Lists are mutable, meaning they can be altered after their creation. This
flexibility makes lists one of the most commonly used data structures in
Python.
Creating a List: Lists are defined by square brackets [], with items
separated by commas.
Example:
1. fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
2. print(fruits)

This code creates a list of fruits.

Accessing List Elements: List items can be accessed by their index,
starting with zero for the first element.
Example:
1. print(fruits[1]) # Outputs 'banana'

Negative indexing can also be used, with -1 referring to the last item.
Modifying Lists: Lists can be altered by assigning new values to
elements, adding new elements, or removing elements.
Example:
1. fruits[1] = "blueberry"
 2. fruits.append("orange")
3. fruits.remove("apple")
4. print(fruits)

This code changes the second element, adds a new fruit, and removes
'apple' from the list.
List Operations: Lists support operations like concatenation, repetition,
and methods like sort(), reverse(), and extend().
Example:
1. vegetables = ["carrot", "potato"]
2. all_items = fruits + vegetables # Concatenation
3. print(all_items)

This code concatenates two lists.

Tuples in Python A tuple is similar to a list in terms of indexing, nested
objects, and iteration. However, unlike lists, tuples are immutable.
Once a tuple is created, it cannot be altered. This immutability makes
tuples a safer choice for write-protected data.
Creating a Tuple: Tuples are defined by parentheses (), with items
separated by commas.
Example:
1. dimensions = (200, 50)
2. print(dimensions)

This code creates a tuple for dimensions.

Accessing Tuple Elements: Accessing elements in a tuple is similar to
accessing elements in a list.
Example:
1. print(dimensions[0]) # Outputs 200

Tuples also support negative indexing.

Immutability of Tuples:

Unlike lists, you cannot change, add, or remove items in a tuple

after it is created.
Attempting to do so will result in a TypeError.
Example:
1. # dimensions[0] = 250 # This would raise an error

Tuples are ideal for storing data that should not change, like days of the
week or dates of the year.
Tuple Operations: Tuples support concatenation and repetition but do
not have as many built-in methods as lists.
Example:
1. more_dimensions = (100, 75)
2. all_dimensions = dimensions + more_dimensions
3. print(all_dimensions)

This code concatenates two tuples.

When to Use Lists vs. Tuples

Lists are more flexible and are used when you need a collection
that might change during the program’s lifecycle. Use lists when
you require a mutable collection of data.
Tuples are used when immutability is required. They are
generally faster than lists and used to protect data integrity.
Using Dictionaries and Sets for Efficient Data Manipulation In
Python, dictionaries and sets are powerful data structures used
for storing and manipulating data efficiently. While
dictionaries allow you to store data in key-value pairs, sets are
used for storing unique elements.
Dictionaries A dictionary in Python is an unordered collection of data
values, used to store data values like a map. Unlike other data types
that hold only a single value as an element, dictionaries hold key-value
pairs. Keys in a dictionary must be unique and immutable, which
typically are strings, numbers, or tuples.
Creating a Dictionary: Dictionaries are defined by curly braces {} with
each item being a pair in the form key: value.
Example:
1. person = {"name": "Alice", "age": 25, "city": "New York"}
2. print(person)

This code creates a dictionary representing a person.

Accessing Dictionary Elements: You can access the values in the
dictionary by referring to its key.
Example:
1. print(person["name"]) # Outputs 'Alice'

If you refer to a key that is not in the dictionary, Python will raise a
KeyError.
Modifying Dictionaries: Dictionaries are mutable. You can add new key-
value pairs, modify values, or delete key-value pairs.
Example:
1. person["age"] = 30 # Update age
2. person["profession"] = "Engineer" # Add new key-value pair
3. del person["city"] # Remove key-value pair
4. print(person)

Dictionary Methods: Python dictionaries have various built-in methods,

such as get(), keys(), values(), and items().
Example:
1. print(person.keys()) # Outputs all keys
 2. print(person.values()) # Outputs all values

Sets
A set is an unordered collection of unique items. Sets are used to store
multiple items in a single variable and are ideal for performing
mathematical set operations like unions, intersections, and differences.
Creating a Set: Sets are defined by curly braces {} or the set() function,
and they automatically remove duplicate items.
Example:
1. colors = {"red", "blue", "green", "red"}
2. print(colors) # Outputs {"red", "blue", "green"}

The duplicate "red" is removed.

Accessing Set Elements: Unlike lists or dictionaries, sets do not support
indexing or slicing. You can loop through the set items, or check if a
value is present.
Example:
1. if "blue" in colors:
2. print("Blue is in the set")

Modifying Sets:

You can add items to sets using the add() method, and multiple
items using the update() method.
Items can be removed using remove() or discard().
Example:
1. colors.add("yellow")
2. colors.discard("green")
3. print(colors)
Set Operations: Sets are ideal for mathematical operations like unions (|),
intersections (&), and differences (-).
Example:
1. primary_colors = {"red", "blue", "yellow"}
2. secondary_colors = {"green", "orange", "purple"}
3. all_colors = primary_colors | secondary_colors # Union of sets
4. common_colors = primary_colors & secondary_colors # Intersection of sets
5. unique_colors = primary_colors - secondary_colors # Difference of sets

When to Use Dictionaries vs. Sets

Dictionaries are used when you need to associate unique keys

with values. They are ideal for representing real-world data that
maps keys to values, like a phone book (mapping names to
phone numbers).
Sets are useful when you need to ensure the uniqueness of
elements and are not concerned with the order of items. They are
particularly efficient for operations like testing for membership,
removing duplicates, and mathematical operations like union and
intersection.
Data Type Conversion Data type conversion involves changing
an entity of one data type into another. Python provides built-in
functions for converting between data types, which is essential
when performing operations that require specific types of data.
Implicit and Explicit Conversion Implicit Conversion: Also known as
automatic conversion, Python automatically converts one data type to
another without any user involvement. This typically occurs during
operations involving mixed data types.
Example:
1. num_int = 123
2. num_float = 1.23

3.
4. sum = num_int + num_float
 5. print("Sum:", sum)
6. print("Data type of sum:", type(sum))

Here, num_int is automatically converted to a float to perform the addition,

resulting in a float.
Explicit Conversion: This requires the programmer to explicitly change
the data type. It’s done using conversion functions like int(), float(), str(),
etc.
Example:
1. num_str = "456"
2. num_int = int(num_str)
3. print("Data type of num_int:", type(num_int))

This converts the string num_str to an integer.

Conversion Between Strings and Numbers String to Integer:

Use int() to convert a string to an integer.

The string should contain integer literals.
Example:
1. str_to_int = int("100")
2. print(str_to_int, type(str_to_int))

String to Float:

Use float() to convert a string to a float.

The string should contain decimal numbers.
Example:
1. str_to_float = float("123.45")
2. print(str_to_float, type(str_to_float))

Integer/Float to String: Use str() to convert an integer or float to a string.

Example:
1. int_to_str = str(100)
2. float_to_str = str(123.45)
3. print(int_to_str, type(int_to_str))
4. print(float_to_str, type(float_to_str))

Conversion Between Integers and Floats Integer to Float: Use float() to

convert an integer to a float.
Example:
1. int_to_float = float(100)
2. print(int_to_float, type(int_to_float))

Float to Integer: Use int() to convert a float to an integer. This will

truncate the decimal part.
Example:
1. float_to_int = int(123.45)
2. print(float_to_int, type(float_to_int))

Working with Lists, Tuples, and Sets Converting to Lists: Use list() to
convert tuples, sets, or other iterables to lists.
Example:
1. my_tuple = (1, 2, 3)
2. tuple_to_list = list(my_tuple)
3. print(tuple_to_list, type(tuple_to_list))

Converting to Tuples: Use tuple() to convert lists, sets, or other iterables to

tuples.
Example:
1. my_list = [1, 2, 3]
2. list_to_tuple = tuple(my_list)
3. print(list_to_tuple, type(list_to_tuple))
Converting to Sets: Use set() to convert lists, tuples, or other iterables to
sets. This will remove any duplicate elements.
Example:
1. my_list = [1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3]
2. list_to_set = set(my_list)
3. print(list_to_set, type(list_to_set))

Handling Exceptions in Type Conversion Type conversion errors can

occur, especially when a conversion is not logically possible. Handling
these errors requires careful programming practices, such as using
exception handling or validating data before conversion.
Example of handling conversion errors:
1. try:
2. invalid_conversion = int("abc")
3. except ValueError:
4. print("Invalid conversion")

Basic File Handling The first step in working with files in

Python is to open them. The open() function is used for this
purpose. It requires the name of the file and the mode in which
the file should be opened, such as 'r' for reading, 'w' for
writing, 'a' for appending, and 'b' for binary mode.
Syntax of open(): open(filename, mode) Example:
1. file = open('example.txt', 'r')

This opens example.txt in read ('r') mode.

Reading from Files Once a file is opened in read mode, you can read its
contents using methods like read(), readline(), or readlines().
Reading Entire Content: read() reads the entire content of the file.
Example:
1. content = file.read()
 2. print(content)

Reading Line by Line: readline() reads the next line from the file.
Example:
1. line = file.readline()
2. while line != "":
3. print(line, end="")
4. line = file.readline()

Reading All Lines as a List: readlines() reads all the lines and returns
them as a list.
Example:
1. lines = file.readlines()
2. print(lines)

After reading, it's important to close the file using file.close() to free up
system resources.
Writing to Files Writing to a file involves opening it in write ('w') or
append ('a') mode. If a file is opened in write mode, any existing
content is erased. In append mode, new content is added at the end of
the file.
Writing to a File: write() method is used to write a string to a file.
Example:
1. file = open('example_write.txt', 'w')
2. file.write("Hello, Python!\n")
3. file.write("Writing to a file is easy.\n")
4. file.close()

Appending to a File: To add content without erasing the existing data,

open the file in append mode.
Example:
 1. file = open('example_write.txt', 'a')
2. file.write("Appending a new line.\n")
3. file.close()

Using `with` Statement for File Operations The with statement in

Python is used for exception handling and ensuring that resources like
file objects are properly managed. When using with, the file is
automatically closed after the block of code is executed, even if an error
occurs.
Reading with `with`: Example:
1. with open('example.txt', 'r') as file:
2. content = file.read()
3. print(content)

Writing with `with`: Example:

1. with open('example_write.txt', 'w') as file:
2. file.write("Using with for safer file handling.\n")

Handling File Exceptions While working with files, it's possible to

encounter errors, such as attempting to open a file that doesn't exist.
Handling these exceptions using try-except blocks is essential for robust
file handling.
Example:
1. try:
2. with open('nonexistent_file.txt', 'r') as file:
3. print(file.read())
4. except FileNotFoundError:
5. print("File not found.")
 Functions and Modules

In Python, functions are fundamental building blocks of reusable code.

They allow you to encapsulate a task or a set of instructions into a self-
contained block, which can be executed whenever needed.
Basic Structure of a Function Defining
A function in Python is defined using the def keyword, followed by a
function name, parentheses (), and a colon :. The indented block of code
following the : is the body of the function.
Example:
1. def greet():
2. print("Hello, Python!")

This function, named greet, prints a greeting message when called.

Calling a Function: To execute a function, you simply call it by its name
followed by parentheses.
Example:
1. greet() # This will print "Hello, Python!"

Passing Arguments to Functions Arguments are values passed to a

function when it is called. These values are used by the function to
perform operations or produce output.
Function with Arguments: You can define a function to accept arguments
by including them in the parentheses.
Example:
1. def greet(name):
2. print(f"Hello, {name}!")
3. greet("Alice") # Outputs: Hello, Alice!

Here, name is a parameter of the greet function.

Multiple Arguments: A function can take multiple arguments.
Example:
1. def add_numbers(num1, num2):
2. return num1 + num2
3. result = add_numbers(5, 10)
4. print(result) # Outputs: 15

Return Statement The return statement is used to exit a function and

go back to the place where it was called. This statement can include an
expression that gets evaluated and returned as the value of the function
call.
Returning Values: A function can return a value back to the caller.
Example:
1. def multiply(num1, num2):
2. return num1 * num2
3. result = multiply(3, 4)
4. print(result) # Outputs: 12

Returning Multiple Values: Python functions can return multiple values

in the form of a tuple.
Example:
1. def operations(a, b):
2. return a + b, a - b
3. sum, difference = operations(10, 5)
4. print(sum, difference) # Outputs: 15 5

Default Argument Values You can specify default values for arguments
in a function. These default values are used if no argument value is
passed during the function call.
Function with Default Values: Example:
1. def greet(name="User"):
2. print(f"Hello, {name}!")
3. greet() # Outputs: Hello, User!
 4. greet("Alice") # Outputs: Hello, Alice!

Keyword Arguments When calling functions, you can specify

arguments by their names, allowing you to ignore the order of
parameters.
Using Keyword Arguments: Example:
1. def display_info(name, age):
2. print(f"Name: {name}, Age: {age}")
3. display_info(age=30, name="Bob") # Outputs: Name: Bob, Age: 30

Variable Number of Arguments Sometimes you might need a function

to handle an unknown number of arguments. This can be achieved
using *args and **kwargs.
*args for Variable Number of Arguments: *args allows a function to
accept any number of positional arguments.
Example:
1. def sum_all(*args):
2. return sum(args)
3. print(sum_all(1, 2, 3, 4)) # Outputs: 10

**kwargs for Keyword Arguments: **kwargs allows for an arbitrary

number of keyword arguments.
Example:
1. def display_info(**kwargs):
2. for key, value in kwargs.items():
3. print(f"{key}: {value}")
4. display_info(name="Alice", age=30, city="New York")

Function Arguments and Return Values Function arguments

are the values passed to a function. They are essential for a
function's operation, allowing you to pass data to a function. In
Python, there are several types of arguments: Positional
 Arguments: These arguments are passed in order and the
number of arguments in the call must match exactly with the
function definition.
Example:
1. def multiply(a, b):
2. return a * b
3. result = multiply(2, 3) # Positional arguments
4. print(result) # Outputs: 6

Keyword Arguments: These allow you to pass arguments by explicitly

specifying the name of the parameter, regardless of their order in the
function definition.
Example:
1. def greet(name, message):
2. print(f"{message}, {name}")
3. greet(message="Hello", name="Alice") # Keyword arguments

Default Arguments: You can provide default values for arguments. If no

argument value is passed during the function call, the default value is
used.
Example:
1. def greet(name="User"):
2. print(f"Hello, {name}")
3. greet() # Uses default value
4. greet("Alice") # Overrides default value

Variable-Length Arguments (*args and **kwargs):

*args allows a function to accept an arbitrary number of

positional arguments.
**kwargs allows for an arbitrary number of keyword arguments.
Example:
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The Project Gutenberg eBook of A spray of lilac, and
other poems and songs
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United
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eBook.

Title: A spray of lilac, and other poems and songs

Author: M. Hedderwick-Browne

Release date: July 21, 2022 [eBook #68579]

Language: English

Original publication: United Kingdom: Isbister and Company

Limited, 1892

Credits: Charlene Taylor, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed

Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file
was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A SPRAY OF

LILAC, AND OTHER POEMS AND SONGS ***
 A Spray of Lilac

Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson and Co.

London and Edinburgh

A Spray
of Lilac
And Other Poems and Songs

BY
MARIE HEDDERWICK BROWNE

LONDON
ISBISTER AND COMPANY Limited
15 & 16 TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN
1892

Oh, lilac bloom! strange that so slight a thing

As thou is strong to roll away the stone
From memory’s grave, and set the dead past free
To claim again brief kinship with its own.
 PREFATORY NOTE
Most of the Poems contained in this volume have appeared during the
past ten years, in “Atalanta,” “Chambers’s Journal,” “London Society,”
“Little Folks,” “The Girl’s Own Paper,” and other serials.
If an apology for venturing to offer them to the public in collected form
be deemed necessary, I can only urge the plea of the poor but hospitable
Dervish, “He is a generous host who freely giveth his best, be his best but
clear water and a crust.”
M. H. B.
London, December 1892
 CONTENTS

PAGE
A SPRAY OF LILAC 1
OLD GARDEN 3
A MOTHER’S GRIEF 5
A SUMMER MEMORY 8
UNSATISFIED 11
MY SONG 12
IN AN OLD CHURCHYARD 13
SECRETS 15
REVEALED—NOT SPOKEN 16
BURIED TREASURES 19
AFFINITY 20
“MY HOUSE IS LEFT UNTO ME DESOLATE” 21
AN OLD MAN’S DREAM 22
A SUMMER WOOING 24
WEE ELSIE 26
BIDE WI’ MITHER 28
CHILD ANGELS 30
MY LOVE OF LONG AGO 32
IN SUMMER TIME 34
TWIN-SISTERS 36
AT LAST 38
TRYSTING-TIME 40
BESIDE THE DEAD 41
HER FIRST SEASON 43
ANTICIPATED 46
WHEN THOU ART NEAR 47
A PORTRAIT 48
DOROTHY 49
DAFFODILS 51
THE BLACKBIRD 52
“WHOM THE GODS LOVE DIE YOUNG” 53
GRANNIE’S BAIRN 54
LOVE’S POWER 56
A JUNE MEMORY 57
A MESSAGE 59
HER WINDOW 61
SHATTERED HOPES 62
HAND IN HAND 64
“AND FOR THE WEARY, REST” 65
IN AN OLD ORCHARD 67
BY THE SEA 68
REGRET 69
WAE’S ME 70
THE REASON WHY 71
DOWN BY THE SEA 73
A VENTURE 74
WATER LILIES 75
THE SENTINEL 76
A LOVE SONG 77
AUTUMN 78
A QUAKER MAID 79
THE TIME, THE PLACE, THE BELOVED 81
DAY DREAMS 82
SONG OF THE SEASONS 83
ONE SUMMER DAY 84
THE INSCRUTABLE 85
DELILAH 86
A BABY’S GRAVE 87
A CHILD’S FAVOURITE 88
RICH OR POOR? 89
DOLLY’S GARDEN 90
IN A DREAM-SHIP 91
THE FLOWER-QUEEN’S FALL 93
A VETERAN 95
TO A BUTTERFLY 96
WHEN AND WHERE 96
WHEN LOVE IS YOUNG 100
A CHARACTER SKETCH 101
FRIENDS 102
BED-TIME 104
 A SPRAY OF LILAC

Pale cluster, thy faint perfume comes to me

Laden with memories of long ago,
And all the present dims as o’er my soul
The waves of tender recollection flow.

With Spring’s young blood again my veins are thrilled,

My hands are stretched to meet the coming years,
The world holds all the glory that it held
Ere yet mine eyes had looked on it thro’ tears.

With deftest fingers fancy weaves once more

Her fairy fabrics; vast horizons glow
With fires of promise, for behind their veils
They hid rich treasures in that long-ago.

The subtle sweetness of the vanished days,

The rapture of the old ecstatic bliss,
All, all are mine, as once again I cling
To ripe warm lips in love’s first passion-kiss.

The long delicious Summer slowly weaves

For Autumn’s brows a crown of living gold;
Sad Winter follows with his winding-sheet,
For all the glory has grown grey and old.

Oh, lilac bloom, strange that so slight a thing

As thou, is strong to roll away the stone
From memory’s grave, and set the dead past free
To claim yet once brief kinship with its own.
 IN AN OLD GARDEN

Yellow roses, purple pansies,

Tufts of heavy-headed stocks;
Either side the quaint old gateway
Blazing, torch-like hollyhocks.

Sweet peas tossing airy banners,

Saintly lilies bending low,
Daisies, powdering all the green sward
With a shower of summer snow.

Boxwood borders—yews fantastic—

Wallflowers that with every sigh
Spill such scent that e’en the brown bees,
Reel with rapture wandering by.

And the pear trees, long arms stretching

O’er the sunny gable wall,
Scarce can hold their ruddy nurslings
Ripening where the warm beams fall.

Oh, the ecstasy of living!

How it thrills my life to-day!
I can almost hear the flower-bells
Tinkle where my footsteps stray!

In a garden God first placed man,

There first woke Love’s magic thrill;
And methinks a breath of Eden
Clings to earth’s old gardens still.
 A MOTHER’S GRIEF

To a great wide city all alone,

Long, long ago went our baby queen—
No name but hers on the white headstone,
That gleams to the moon from its mound of green!
None of her own did welcome her there—
Not a grain of kindred dust doth wave
In the flowers that out of the tears of despair
Have arched a rainbow over her grave.

Out from the shelter of loving arms,

Out from the warmth of a mother’s breast,
Heedless of darkness and night’s alarms,
On to the silent city she pressed
To take her place ’mong the mighty throng
That people its myriad streets. Ah, me!
I felt my God had done me a wrong,
When He loosened love’s cords and set her free!

And my passionate moan that broke in tears,

Like a burdened wave on a desert shore,
Seemed all too feeble to reach His ears
And the pain grew old that my bosom bore;
But the faith that I once had thought mine own
Rose up to mock where it could not save,
And my heart grew hard as the carven stone
That was crushing my darling in her grave.

Whenever a child’s sweet flower-like face

Met mine, a sickness would o’er me creep,
And I’d turn wild eyes to the lonely place
Where she was lying alone—asleep.
At strife was I with the world, and God
Had drawn around Him an angry cloud;
Earth held no green but the churchyard sod
Earth held no green but the churchyard sod,
And the daisies wore the gleam of a shroud.

But a time there came when about my breast

With a wand’ring touch small fingers stole,
And feeble lips to its fountains pressed,
And stirred with a vague sweet joy my soul;
And the floodgates opened, and blessèd tears
Of repentance fell from my eyes like rain,
And after the barren and prayerless years
I knelt to the Giver of All again!
 A SUMMER MEMORY

I remember an evening,
An evening in one far June,
The sun seemed loth to leave the sky
To a young impatient moon.

The yellow sands lay waiting

For the sea’s long cool embrace;
We watched the ripples breaking,
Like smiles upon its face.

The green trees nestled closer

To the broad breast of the hill;
The twilight’s glamour gathered,
And the day was with us still.

And a sadness born of beauty,

And a joy to pain akin,
Touched all that lay without us,
And hushed my soul within.

A silence stepped between us,

We seemed to stand apart;
Yet I thought your eyes grew tender,
And I know what filled my heart.

But the words were never spoken;

And the distance wider grew,
Till the world of waves was lying
Between me, love, and you,

No bridge might ever cross it.

I watched you turn away,
And I went back to duty—
’Tis all a woman may.
But I never shall be nearer
The thrilling heights of bliss—
Unless the next world gives us
The love we lose in this—

Than when in that far June-time,

We seemed to stand apart,
And I thought your eyes grew tender,
And I knew what filled my heart.
 UNSATISFIED

Oh, “dear dead days” that dearer grow,

I look behind, and thro’ my tears,
Across a wide, wide gulf of years,
I see you now and now I know.

When I was yours, you mine, alas!

I did not know your real worth,
And, longing for the future’s birth,
Found time so slow, so slow to pass.

The joys I hoped for never came,

While those I held slipped from my clasp,
As I stretched yearning hands to grasp
Shadows—’tis evermore the same!

We strain dim eyes up to the stars,

Nor heed the blossoms at our feet;
Like puny birds we beat and beat
Our lives out ’gainst Fate’s prison bars.
 MY SONG

“When love is mine,” said I, “I’ll make a song

In praise of love that maketh life so sweet;
One worthy such a grand and noble theme—
Worthy to lay at my belovèd’s feet.

“Pure, perfect pearls of poesy I’ll string

On Music’s silken thread, so rhythmic-sweet
That those who hear shall feel as though each word
Were but an echo of my heart’s warm beat.”

Now love is mine; but where my boasted song?

My heart is full—too full, ah me! for words;
And yet methinks my new-found joy has lent
Fresh rapture to the voices of the birds.

And I am dumb; the world will never hear

The music filling all this life of mine.
Oh! love is too sublime a theme for me;
I can but kneel in silence at love’s shrine.
IN AN OLD CHURCHYARD
In one of England’s sweetest spots,
A little old grey church I found;
Around it lies—dear restful ground!
God’s garden with its sacred plots.

With myriad arms the ivy holds

Its time-worn walls in close embrace:
So Memory sometimes keeps a face
Half-veiled in tender misty folds.

With sleepy twitter and with song

The tower, bird-haunted, is alive;
In leafy seas they dip and dive,
Those tiny warblers all day long.

Like sentinels grown hoar with age,

The crumbling headstones guard the graves
Which softly swell—green voiceless waves
That will not break though tempests rage.

“Concerning them that are asleep”

In this sweet hamlet of the dead,
In broken sentences I read
The record those old tablets keep;

Each told its tale, for hath not Grief

A voice whose echoes never die?
Adown the ages, Rachel’s cry
Still rings o’er some God-garnered sheaf.

Mine eyes, ne’er prodigal of tears,

Did fill with such as seemed to rise
And drown the glory of the skies,
O’er those who’d slept the sleep of years.
 SECRETS

July roses wet with rain

Tap against the window-pane;
There is something they would seek,
Had they voices and could speak.
Silence seals their crimson lips,
And the dull rain drops and drips.

Th’ other side the streaming glass

Stands a little sad-eyed lass;
There is something she would seek,
But a maiden may not speak—
Silence seals her longing lips,
And the dull rain drops and drips.

And salt tears in showers stain

Her side of the window-pane;
And the crimson roses grow
Pale as dreams dreamt long ago;
(Hearts may break behind sealed lips),
And the dull rain drops and drips.
 REVEALED—NOT SPOKEN

The little maiden that I love,

I met in yonder lane;
A flood of sunshine seemed to fall
Around her as she came.

Methought the very hedgerows took

A tenderer, livelier green,
And blossoms burst from every bud
As she passed on between!

And gladder, madder, merrier notes

A skylark round him threw,
As high above her golden head,
He poised amid the blue.

I meant to tell her all my heart,

And yet—I know not why,
Upon the threshold of my lips
The story seemed to die.

It might have been the witchery,

The magic of her smile,
That in a spell held all my soul,
And kept me dumb the while!

It might have been that all too pure

For earth-born love seemed she;
From her white height of maidenhood
How could she stoop to me?

But eyes can prove more eloquent,

And though the tongue may fail,
In potent language they reveal
The old, old tender tale.
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