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An Introduction to programming using python

The document is a glossary for an introductory programming course using Python, providing definitions for key terms and concepts. It includes explanations for algorithms, data types, functions, and programming constructs such as loops and conditionals. This resource serves as a reference for students to clarify unfamiliar terminology encountered during the course.

Uploaded by

José Andrés Toro Rivera
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views

An Introduction to programming using python

The document is a glossary for an introductory programming course using Python, providing definitions for key terms and concepts. It includes explanations for algorithms, data types, functions, and programming constructs such as loops and conditionals. This resource serves as a reference for students to clarify unfamiliar terminology encountered during the course.

Uploaded by

José Andrés Toro Rivera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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An Introduction to Programming using Python

Course Glossary

Throughout the course, you might find some new words, phrases and
abbreviations being used – you can always come to this document to look up
any unfamiliar terms!

Word Definition
A* A path finding algorithm that finds an optimal path from a
graph.

Algorithm a set of step-by-step instructions that solve a particular


problem or accomplish a particular task.

Arguments values that are passed to a function when it is called, which


the function can then use in its operations.

Boolean a data type that can only be either True or False.

CPU Central Processing Unit: the "brain" of the computer that


executes instructions.

Comment a line of text that is ignored by the computer and is used to


explain code to humans.
Conditionals statements that allow your program to make decisions based
on certain conditions.

elif a keyword used in Python's if-else statements to add


additional conditions to check after the initial if statement
and before the final else statement.

else a keyword used in Python's if-else statements to provide a


fallback option if none of the if or elif conditions are met.

Function a named set of instructions that perform a specific task.

GUI Graphical User Interface

Graph a mathematical structure consisting of vertices (nodes)


connected by edges that represent relationships between
them.

Hello World program a small program in a programming language, usually the first
program one creates in a new language as a validation that
everything works.

Input function a built-in Python function that allows a user to provide input
to a program.
Logic operators operators that combine logic propositions (e.g. and, or, not).

Logic proposition a statement that can be either true or false.

Loop a way to repeat a set of instructions multiple times or to


iterate over sequences (e.g., numbers).

Parameters variables that are defined in a function's definition and


represent the values that will be passed to the function as
arguments when it is called.

Path Finding the process of finding a path between two points in a graph or
network.

Data Types a classification of the type of data that a variable can hold
(e.g. integers, strings, booleans).

Print function a built-in Python function that displays output to the console
or terminal.

Program a set of instructions that tell a computer what to do, typically


written in a programming language and executed by a
computer or other device.
Programmer a person who writes code and creates software applications.

Pseudocode a simplified way of writing out an algorithm or program in


plain English-like language.

RAM Random Access Memory (type of computer memory used as


temporary memory to store working data). It is volatile,
meaning its contents are lost when the computer is turned off
or restarted.

Strings a sequence of characters (letters, numbers, symbols) that is


used to represent text in a program.

Terminal a text-based interface used to interact with a computer's


operating system.

Text Editor a program used to create and edit text files, often used for
writing and editing code. Examples include Visual Studio
Code, Vim, and Sublime Text among others.

Variable a named abstract container that holds a value that can be


changed.

Visual Studio Code a popular text editor for writing/editing code developed and
maintained by Microsoft and the open-source community.

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