Unit I: Computational Thinking and Programming -1
Chapter- 7 Overview of Python
"Some People Around You Are Just Like the
Semicolon in Python, You Have to Debug the Code
and Omit them From Your Life"
You will learn the following topics in this tutorial
S.No. Topics
1 The official introduction to Python
2 Features of Python
3 Limitation (Minus) of python
4 Downloading and Installing Python
5 Working in Python
6 Interactive mode
7 Working in Script Mode
Page 1 of 8
Unit I: Computational Thinking and Programming -1
Chapter- 7 Overview of Python
The official introduction to Python is:
Python was created by Guido van Rossum in 1991 at the National
Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science,
Netherland.
Python is based on the ABC language, a teaching language created to
replace the programming language BASIC.
Python is a simple but powerful scripting language.
Python is a general-purpose, dynamic, interpreted, interactive, high-
level, multiplatform, object-oriented programming language.
It incorporates modules, exceptions, dynamic typing, very high level
dynamic data types, and classes.
One of its most visible features is that it does not use semicolons and
brackets, Python uses indentation instead.
Story behind the name
Guido van Rossum, the creator of the Python language, named the
language after the BBC show "Monty Python's Flying Circus". He doesn't
particularly like snakes that kill animals for food by winding their long
bodies around them and crushing them.
Page 2 of 8
Unit I: Computational Thinking and Programming -1
Chapter- 7 Overview of Python
Features of Python
Python is a high level language. It is a free and open source language.
It is an interpreted language, as Python programs are executed by an
interpreter.
Python programs are easy to understand as they have a clearly defined
syntax and relatively simple structure.
Python is case-sensitive. For example, NUMBER and number are not
same in Python.
Python is portable and platform independent, means it can run on
various operating systems and hardware platforms.
Python is also helpful in web development. Many popular web services
and applications are built using Python.
Python uses indentation for blocks and nested blocks
Python provides interfaces to all major commercial databases..
Limitation (Minus) of python:
■
Not the fastest language.
Lesser Libraries than C, Java or Perl.
Not Strong on Type-binding
Not Easily convertible
Page 3 of 8
Unit I: Computational Thinking and Programming -1
Chapter- 7 Overview of Python
Downloading and Installing Python
Python can be downloaded and installed for free from
http://www.python.org/download/ and download the latest version.
The installation is just like any other Windows-based software.
Caution When you are given the option of unchecking any "optional"
components, don't uncheck any.
ANACONDA Python distribution is one such highly recommended
distribution that comes with preloaded many packages and libraries
(NumPy, SciPy, Panda etc)
Other Popular IDEs like Sypder, PytCharm, etc. Spyder IDE is available
as a part of ANACONDA.
Working in Python: r----------------------------------------- •
Interactive mode: Interactive Mode,
In Python we can work as the name suggests, allows us to
In 2 ways: interact with OS. For working in the
interactive mode, we will start Python
on our computer.
J
Python Shell
Script mode: In script mode, we type
Python program in a file and then use
the interpreter to execute the content
from the file. Working in interactive
mode is convenient for beginners.
Page 4 of 8
Unit I: Computational Thinking and Programming -1
Chapter- 7 Overview of Python
Interactive mode:
L1^ Python 3.6.5 Shell i i i'
File Edit Shell Debug Options Window Help
Python 3.6.5 (v3.6.5:f59c0932b4, Mar 28 2018, 16:07:46) [MSC v.l
900 32 bit (Intel)] on Win32
Type "copyright", "credits" or "licensee” for more information.
»> I
Ln: 3 Col: 4
Interactive mode is a command line environment called as Shell of
Python which gives immediate result for each statement fed from
the prompt. The »> (prompt) is Python's way of telling you that you
are in interactive mode and here we can enter our one line statement.
Python 3,6.5 Shell
File Edit Shell Debug Options Window Help
"python 3.6.5 (v3.6.5:f59c0932b4, Mar 28 2018, 16:07:46) [MSC v.l
900 32 bit (Intel)] on Win32
Type "copyright", "credits" or "licensee" for more information.
»> a=10
»> b=20 E
»> print ("The sum is :”,a+b)
The sum is : 30
»> print ("The sub is :",a-b)
The sub is : -10
»>
Ln: 11 Col: 4
Working in Script Mode:
Multiple commands can be saved in a file as a program and then we
can execute the entire program
We type Python program in a file and then use the interpreter to
execute the content from the file.
ragej ui o
Unit I: Computational Thinking and Programming -1
Chapter- 7 Overview of Python
Working in interactive mode is convenient for beginners and for
testing small pieces of code, as we can test them immediately.
But for coding more than few lines, we should always save our code
so that we may modify and reuse the code
After starting IDLE from start menu, IDLE open its window
Python 3.6.5 Shell
File Edit Shell Debug Options Window Help
Python 3.6.5 (v3.6.5:f59c0932b4, Mar 28 2018, 16:07:46) [MSC v.l
900 32 bit (Intel)] on Win32
Type "copyright", "credits" or "licenseO” for more information.
»> I
Ln: 3 Col: 4
1. File>Open OR File>New Window (for creating a new script file)
Python 3.6.5 Shell oIa
| File | Edit Shell Debug Options Window Help
New File 5: f59c0932t>4, Mar 28 2018, 16:07:46) [MSC v.1900 32 bit (Inte
Open... Ctrl+O
Open Module... Alt+M
'credits" or "license()" for more information.
Recent Files ►
Module Browser Alt+C
Path Browser
Save Ctrl+S
Save As... Ctrl+Shift+S
Save Copy As... Alt+Shift+S
Print Window Ctrl+P
Close Alt+F4
Exit Ctrl+Q
Ln: 3 Col: 4
Page 6 of 8
Unit I: Computational Thinking and Programming -1
Chapter- 7 Overview of Python
Sjj Untitled I ° I a faaj
File Edit Format Run Options Window Help
Ln:l Col:0
2. Write the Python code as function i.e. script
jgj Intro.py ~ D:/Xl_Progs/lntro.py (3.6.5) r
File Edit Format Run Options Window Help
a=10
I b=20
print("The sum is :",a+b) =
print("The sub is :",a-b)
Ln: 8 Col: 0
3. Save it (AS)
Executing Python Program
Click Run * Run Module command
Intro.py - D:\XI_Progs\lntro.py (3.6.5) .=. IhJ
File Edit Format Run | Options Window Help
a=10 Python Shell
b=20 Check Module Alt+X
print ("The
print("The sub is :",a-b)
Ln: 7 Col: 0
L
Page 7 of 8
Unit I: Computational Thinking and Programming -1
Chapter- 7 Overview of Python
4. If the code is written correctly, you will see the output in the Python
Shell window
Python 3.6.5 Shell I ■=■ I
File Edit Shell Debug Options Window Help
00 32 bit (Intel)] on Win32
Type "copyright", "credits" or "license()" for more information.
»>
RESTART: D:/XI_Progs/Intro.py
The sum is : 30
The suh is : -10
»>
Ln: 8 Col: 4
Page 8 of 8