TITLE:

Python Programming

COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

What is Python?
● Python is a popular high-level programming language used in various
applications

○ Python is an easy language to learn because of its simple syntax

○ Python can be used for simple tasks such as plotting or for more complex tasks like
machine learning
Variables, Objects, and Classes
● A variable is a reference to a value stored in a computer’s memory.
● Variables can be sorted into a variety of categories (or data types) such as numbers
(int/float etc), Boolean values (true/false), and sequences (strings, lists etc).
● An object is a collection of data from a computer’s memory that can be manipulated.

○ ALL VARIABLES ARE OBJECTS although some objects can be defined by data
referred to by multiple variables.

○ Methods are the functions used to act on/alter an object’s data. They describe what your
object can “do.”
Variables, Objects, and Classes (cont.)
● A class is a collection of objects who
share the same set of
variables/methods. Instance #1
Color: Pink
○ The definition of the class provides a Name: Polo
blueprint for all the objects within it Instance #2
(instances). Color: Red
Name: Mini

○ Instances may share the same variables Instance #3

Color: Blue
(color, size, shape, etc.), but they do NOT
Name: Beetle
share the same values for each variable
(blue/red/pink, small/large, square/circular
etc.)
Basic Syntax Rules
● The name of your variable (myInt etc.) is placed on the left of the “=“ operator.

○ Most variable names are in camel case where the first word begins with a lowercase
letter and any subsequent words are capitalized

○ Variable names may also appear in snake case where all words are lowercase, with
underscores between words
● The assignment operator (“=“) sets the variable name equal to the memory location where
your value is found.
● The value of your variable (“Hello, World”) is placed on the right of the “=“ operator.

○ The type of this value does NOT need to be stated but its format must abide by a given
object type (as shown).

myString = “Hello, World” myInt = 7

myFloat = 7.0
myList = [7, 8, 9] myBoolean = true
Basic Syntax Rules
● Function Syntax
○ def...: indicates that you are defining a new function.

○ function() refers to the name of your function. By convention, this name is typically lowercase and
represents a verb/action.

○ a,b refers to parameters (values or variables) that can be used within the statements of your function’s
definition (......). If your function has no parameters, an empty parenthetical () is used.

○ The return statement is an optional statement that will return a value for your function to your original
call.

def function(a, b):

......
return a + b
Basic Syntax Rules (cont.)
● Calling a function

○ Call the function by referring to its name (function()) and by placing

any necessary arguments (1, 2) within the parenthesis separated by
commas. myValue = function(1, 2)

○ If you wish, you can set your function call equal to a variable (myValue). The value
returned by the function will be assigned to your variable name.

myValue = function(1, 2)
Common Data Types and Operators
● A data type is a means of classifying a value and determining what operations can
be performed on it. All objects have a data type.
● Operators are symbols used carry out specific functions/computations.
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5MR5JnKcZI
Input/Output
● Input functions (input()) allow users of a program to place values into programming
code.

○ The parameter for an input function is called a prompt. This is a string (this can be
indicated by “” or ‘’) such as “Enter a number: “

○ The user’s response to the prompt will be returned to the input statement call as a
string. To use this value as any other data type, it must be converted with another
function (int()).
● Print functions (print()) allow programs to output strings to users on a given interface.

○ The parameter of this function is of any type. All types will automatically be
converted to strings. xString = input(“Enter a number: “)
x = int(xString)
y=x+2
print(y)
If-else Statements
● If-else statements allow programmers to adapt the
function of their code based on a given condition.
● If a given condition (i.e. x % 2 == 0) is true, then the
statements following the if statement (if) will be
executed. If the condition is false, the statements xString = input(“Enter a number: “)
following the else statement (else) will be executed. x = int(xString)
if x % 2 == 0:
print(“This is an even number”)
○ The condition is tested using the Boolean
elif x == 0:
operators == (is equal to), != (is not equal to), print(“This number equals 0”)
and (used to test multiple conditions), and or else:
(used to test if AT LEAST ONE condition is true). print(“This is an odd number”)

○ Additionally, else-if statements (elif) can be

used to provide unique coding statements for
multiple conditions.
For Loops
● For loops perform the same task (iterate) for the
number of times specified by an iterable (something
that can be evaluated repeatedly such as a list, string,
or range).
● for defines the for loop
● x is the variable defining the number of times the
statements within the loop (print(myInt)) are executed.
● The range(start, stop, step) function is often used to myString = input(“Enter a number: “)
myInt = int(myString)
define x.
for x in range(0, 5, 1): print(myInt)
○ The starting value is defined by start, the final
value is defined by stop – 1, and the magnitude at
which x changes between loops is defined by step.
● in is a Boolean operator that returns true if the given
value (x) is found within a given list, string, range etc.
While Loops
● While loops are statements that iterate so long as myString = input(“Enter a number: “)
a given Boolean condition is met. myInt = int(myString)
x=0
○ x (the variable determining whether or not while x < 5:
the condition is met) is defined and print(myInt)
manipulated OUTSIDE of the header of the x= x +1
while loop (while)

○ The condition (x < 5) is a statement

containing a Boolean variable.

○ break is a statement used to exit the

current for/while loop.

○ continue is a statement used to reject all

statements in the current for/while loop
iteration and return to the beginning of the
loop.