Comprehensive Course Report: Python Programming with
Data Structures & Algorithms
Date: 15 August 2025
1. Introduction to Python & DSA
Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its readability and versatility. It
supports multiple programming paradigms including procedural, object-oriented, and functional
programming. When combined with Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), Python becomes a
robust tool for building scalable, efficient, and optimized software solutions. In this course, we study
Python basics, learn how to implement and use core data structures, understand algorithmic
approaches, and apply them through practical projects.
2. Purpose and Applications
• Strengthen programming skills through Python-based problem solving.
• Implement essential data structures for efficient data handling.
• Apply algorithms to optimize performance in solving complex problems.
• Develop software projects integrating Python and DSA concepts.
• Prepare for coding interviews and competitive programming.
3. Python Fundamentals
Python's syntax is clear and concise, making it ideal for both beginners and professionals. **Key
Fundamentals:** - Variables and Data Types: Supports integers, floats, strings, lists, tuples, sets,
and dictionaries. - Control Flow: 'if', 'elif', 'else' and loop structures like 'for' and 'while'. - Functions:
Support for parameters, return values, default arguments, *args, and **kwargs. - OOP Concepts:
Classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation. - Modules and Packages: Code
organization for reusability. - Exception Handling: Using try-except-else-finally for robust code.
# Example: Function with default parameter
def greet(name="Student"):
return f"Hello, {name}!"
print(greet()) # Output: Hello, Student!
print(greet("Alex")) # Output: Hello, Alex!
4. Core Data Structures
**Lists & Arrays:** Dynamic arrays supporting indexing, slicing, appending, removing, and iteration.
**Stacks:** LIFO structures; implemented using lists or collections.deque.
**Queues:** FIFO structures; implemented using collections.deque or queue.Queue.
**Linked Lists:** Nodes connected sequentially; singly, doubly, and circular variations.
**Trees:** Hierarchical structures like Binary Trees, BSTs, AVL Trees for sorted data.
**Graphs:** Nodes (vertices) connected by edges; can be directed or undirected.
**Hashing:** Fast O(1) average access using hash tables; implemented via dicts and sets.
# Example: Stack using list
stack = []
stack.append(10)
stack.append(20)
print(stack.pop()) # Output: 20
5. Algorithms
Algorithms are step-by-step instructions to solve problems efficiently. **Categories:** - Searching:
Linear Search, Binary Search. - Sorting: Bubble Sort, Merge Sort, Quick Sort, Heap Sort. -
Traversals: Tree traversals (inorder, preorder, postorder), graph traversals (BFS, DFS). -
Complexity: Big O notation measures time/space efficiency.
# Example: Binary Search
def binary_search(arr, target):
low, high = 0, len(arr) - 1
while low <= high:
mid = (low + high) // 2
if arr[mid] == target:
return mid
elif arr[mid] < target:
low = mid + 1
else:
high = mid - 1
return -1
print(binary_search([1,2,3,4,5], 4)) # Output: 3
6. Practical Projects
**Snake Game with Leaderboard** A game built using Pygame where the snake moves around the
screen collecting food. Each food item increases the score. The leaderboard is maintained in a
JSON file and displays top scores. **Contact Management System** A console-based application
to add, view, search, update, and delete contacts. Implements OOP concepts and data structures
like lists, dictionaries, and sets to ensure no duplicate phone numbers. **Learning Outcomes:** -
Practical use of Python libraries. - Application of data structures in real scenarios. - File handling for
persistent storage.
7. Practice Problems
• Reverse a linked list iteratively and recursively.
• Implement BFS and DFS traversals for a graph.
• Sort an array using merge sort and quick sort.
• Use a stack to check for balanced parentheses.
• Design a priority queue using a heap.
8. Homework Task Instructions
• Implement a binary search tree with insert, search, and delete operations.
• Create a simple text-based game using Python functions and loops.
• Write a Python script to simulate a queue using two stacks.
• Develop a contact book with file storage using JSON or CSV.
