Module 1: Programming
Fundamentals
Objectives
Understand why Python is a good first language for new programmers.
Describe a console program.
Use IDLE to test Python expressions and statements in the interactive shell.
Use IDLE to open, compile, and run a Python source file.
Learn how Python compiles and runs a program in terms of source code,
bytecode, and the virtual machine.
Distinguish between syntax errors and runtime errors.
What is programming?
Ideas?
Programming is the process of creating a set of step-by-step instructions that
tell a computer to perform a task.
Programming languages allow you to communicate with the computer.
Computers understand only Machine language which is sequence of 0s and
1s
Programming Languages
Machine languages: sequences of 0s and 1s
Assembly languages: use short words known as “mnemonics” to write
program
Must be translated by assembler
Still considered low-level languages
High-level languages: more human readable languages that allow
programmers to create programs without knowing how CPU works.
Popular high-level programming languages
C++
Java
C#
Javascript
Python
Each Programming language
Has its own (limited) vocabulary called keywords:
keywords have special meaning and can be used only in a specific way.
Keywords include Operators that represent special program functions such as addition,
subtraction, and multiplication
Has its own grammar rules referred to as syntax:
Syntax is a set of rules that must be strictly followed to write computer-understandable
instructions
Why Python is a great first language
Python has a simple syntax and is easy to read and use.
Python can be used to create console applications, GUI applications, games,
and web applications.
A console application
A GUI application
A web application
Why Python is a great first language (contd)
Python is portable across many operating systems.
Python is open source and has a large active developer community.
Python is popular, is used by many successful companies, including Google,
IBM, Disney, and EA Games.
IDLE: Python’s IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
How to use the interactive shell
Enter Python code after the >>> prompt. Then, press Enter.
If you enter valid instruction that produces a result, the shell displays the
result.
If you enter an invalid instruction, the shell displays an error message.
A console application that’s being run in the shell
Activity: Try IDLE shell
Open IDLE shell
Type some expressions involving arithmetic operators (+, - , *, /)
Type print command:
print(“Hello World”)
How to create, open, save, and close source files
Use IDLE’s File menu and common techniques for your operating system.
How to switch between source and shell windows
Use IDLE’s Window menu.
How to enter and edit Python code
Use IDLE’s Edit and Format menus, common editing keystrokes, and context menus.
Activity: Create HelloWorld.py
In IDLE create a new file
Write Python code to print “Hello World” and “Have a fabulous day”
Hint: Use the print command
Save the program to file HelloWorld.py
Run the program
From the editor window, press the F5 key or select RunRun Module.
If IDLE displays a dialog box that indicates that you must save the program first, click Yes to save
it. Then, if the program doesn’t have any errors, IDLE runs the program in the interactive shell.
Activity: Create HelloWorld.py (contd)
Sample run
Activity: Run happynewyear.py
Download happynewyear.py program from Module 1
Open it in IDLE
Run the program using F5
Understand the parts of the program.
Built-in functions
print : A built-in function to display text on the console
print(“Hello World” + “!!!”)
input: A built-in function to read input from the console
name = input("Please enter your name: ")
help: A useful utility to look-up documentation on any
of python object
Activity: Create Registration.py
In IDLE, create a new file and write a new Python program that
Prints a greeting: “Registration Form”
Asks user: “Your name: ” (assume user entered John)
Reads the value, remembers the name
Asks user: “Your secret code: “ (assume user entered Superhero)
Reads the value, remembers the code
Prints the output:
Welcome John
Your registration is complete
Your password is JohnSuperhero
Save the file as registration.py and Run the file using F5
Activity: Registration (contd)
Sample run:
Compilers and Interpreters
A compiler translates a high-level language program to a separate
machine program for CPU to read and execute
Source code: the statements a programmer writes in a high-level language
Compilation: translates a text-based source code to binary codes
C/ Fortran/ C++/C# / Java are compiled languages.
Interpreter reads, translates, and executes the instructions of a high-
level language program
Examples are PHP, Perl, Python, and ASP.NET
How Python compiles and runs source code
Procedure
Step 1 The programmer uses a text editor or IDE to enter and edit the
source code. Then, the programmer saves the source code to a file with a .py
extension.
Step 2 The source code is compiled by the Python interpreter into bytecode.
Step 3 The bytecode is translated by the Python virtual machine into
instructions that can interact with the operating system of the computer.
Syntax Error vs Runtime Error
Syntax error:
It is caused by invalid syntax. Statements are not formatted correctly.
Python compiler cannot compile the program (and hence cannot run it!)
Runtime error:
Syntax is valid, so program can be compiled.
But at runtime, program does something that is not allowed by the computer.
Program terminates (crashes) and a message is displayed.
A dialog box for a syntax error
A message that’s displayed for a runtime
error
Activity: Fix errors
Download future_value_errors.py from Module 1
Open in IDLE and try running it
Fix all the errors encountered.
Activity: FeetToMeters.py
Write a new Python program called FeetToMeters.py
It should:
Prompt the user input for number of feet as integers
Read and save the feet
Convert feet to meters using the formula:
Meters = feet * 0.3048
Prints the number of meters on screen
Activity: FeetToMeters.py (contd)
Sample run:
