Starting out with Python

Fifth Edition

Chapter 2
Input, Processing, and
Output

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Topics (1 of 2)
• Designing a Program
• Input, Processing, and Output
• Displaying Output with print Function
• Comments
• Variables
• Reading Input from the Keyboard
• Performing Calculations
• String Concatenation
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Topics (2 of 2)
• More About The print Function
• Displaying Formatted Output
• Named Constants
• Introduction to Turtle Graphics

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Designing a Program (1 of 3)
• Programs must be designed before they are written
• Program development cycle:
– Design the program
– Write the code
– Correct syntax errors
– Test the program
– Correct logic errors

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Designing a Program (2 of 3)
• Design is the most important part of the program
development cycle
• Understand the task that the program is to perform
– Work with customer to get a sense what the program is
supposed to do
– Ask questions about program details
– Create one or more software requirements

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Designing a Program (3 of 3)
• Determine the steps that must be taken to perform the
task
– Break down required task into a series of steps
– Create an algorithm, listing logical steps that must be
taken
• Algorithm: set of well-defined logical steps that must
be taken to perform a task

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Pseudocode
• Pseudocode: fake code
– Informal language that has no syntax rule
– Not meant to be compiled or executed
– Used to create model program
 No need to worry about syntax errors, can focus on
program’s design
 Can be translated directly into actual code in any
programming language

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Flowcharts (1 of 2)
• Flowchart: diagram that graphically depicts the steps
in a program
– Ovals are terminal symbols
– Parallelograms are input and output symbols
– Rectangles are processing symbols
– Symbols are connected by arrows that represent the
flow of the program

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Flowcharts (2 of 2)

Figure 2-2 The program development cycle

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Input, Processing, and Output
• Typically, computer performs three-step process
– Receive input
 Input: any data that the program receives while it is
running
– Perform some process on the input
 Example: mathematical calculation
– Produce output

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Displaying Output with the print
Function
• Function: piece of prewritten code that performs an
operation
• print function: displays output on the screen
• Argument: data given to a function
– Example: data that is printed to screen
• Statements in a program execute in the order that
they appear
– From top to bottom

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Strings and String Literals
• String: sequence of characters that is used as data
• String literal: string that appears in actual code of a
program
– Must be enclosed in single (') or double (") quote marks
– String literal can be enclosed in triple quotes (''' or """)
 Enclosed string can contain both single and double quotes and
can have multiple lines

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 Using single quote

Using double quote

Using triple quote

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Comments
• Comments: notes of explanation within a program
– Ignored by Python interpreter
 Intended for a person reading the program’s code
– Begin with a # character
• End-line comment: appears at the end of a line of
code
– Typically explains the purpose of that line

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Variables
• Variable: name that represents a value stored in the
computer memory
– Used to access and manipulate data stored in memory
– A variable references the value it represents
• Assignment statement: used to create a variable and
make it reference data
– General format is variable = expression
 Example: age = 29
 Assignment operator: the equal sign (=)

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Variables (cont’d.)
• In assignment statement, variable receiving value
must be on left side
• A variable can be passed as an argument to a
function
– Variable name should not be enclosed in quote marks
• You can only use a variable if a value is assigned to it

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Variable Naming Rules
• Rules for naming variables in Python:
– Variable name cannot be a Python key word
– Variable name cannot contain spaces
– First character must be a letter or an underscore
– After first character may use letters, digits, or
underscores
– Variable names are case sensitive
• Variable name should reflect its use

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Displaying Multiple Items with the
print Function
• Python allows one to display multiple items with a
single call to print
– Items are separated by commas when passed as
arguments
– Arguments displayed in the order they are passed to
the function
– Items are automatically separated by a space when
displayed on screen

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Variable Reassignment
• Variables can reference different values while
program is running
• Garbage collection: removal of values that are no
longer referenced by variables
– Carried out by Python interpreter
• A variable can refer to item of any type
– Variable that has been assigned to one type can be
reassigned to another type

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Numeric Data Types, Literals, and the
str Data Type
• Data types: categorize value in memory
– e.g., int for integer, float for real number, str used for
storing strings in memory
• Numeric literal: number written in a program
– No decimal point considered int, otherwise, considered
float
• Some operations behave differently depending on
data type

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Reassigning a Variable to a Different
Type
• A variable in Python can refer to items of any type

Figure 2-7 The variable x references an integer

Figure 2-8 The variable x references a string

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Reading Input from the Keyboard
• Most programs need to read input from the user
• Built-in input function reads input from keyboard
– Returns the data as a string
– Format: variable = input(prompt)
 prompt is typically a string instructing user to enter a value
– Does not automatically display a space after the
prompt

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Reading Numbers with the input
Function
• input function always returns a string
• Built-in functions convert between data types
– int(item) converts item to an int
– float(item) converts item to a float
– Nested function call: general format:
function1(function2(argument))
 value returned by function2 is passed to function1
– Type conversion only works if item is valid numeric
value, otherwise, throws exception

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Performing Calculations
• Math expression: performs calculation and gives a
value
– Math operator: tool for performing calculation
– Operands: values surrounding operator
 Variables can be used as operands
– Resulting value typically assigned to variable
• Two types of division:
– / operator performs floating point division
– // operator performs integer division
 Positive results truncated, negative rounded away from zero

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Operator Precedence and Grouping
with Parentheses
• Python operator precedence:
1. Operations enclosed in parentheses
 Forces operations to be performed before others
2. Exponentiation (**)
3. Multiplication (*), division (/ and //), and remainder
(%)
4. Addition (+) and subtraction (-)
• Higher precedence performed first
– Same precedence operators execute from left to right

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The Exponent Operator and the
Remainder Operator
• Exponent operator (**): Raises a number to a power
– x ** y = xy
• Remainder operator (%): Performs division and returns
the remainder
– a.k.a. modulus operator
– e.g., 4%2=0, 5%2=1
– Typically used to convert times and distances, and to
detect odd or even numbers

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Converting Math Formulas to
Programming Statements
• Operator required for any mathematical operation
• When converting mathematical expression to
programming statement:
– May need to add multiplication operators
– May need to insert parentheses

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Mixed-Type Expressions and Data Type
Conversion
• Data type resulting from math operation depends on
data types of operands
– Two int values: result is an int
– Two float values: result is a float
– int and float: int temporarily converted to float,
result of the operation is a float
 Mixed-type expression
– Type conversion of float to int causes truncation of
fractional part

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Breaking Long Statements into Multiple
Lines (1 of 2)
• Long statements cannot be viewed on screen without
scrolling and cannot be printed without cutting off
• Multiline continuation character (\): Allows to break a
statement into multiple lines

result = var1 * 2 + var2 * 3 + \

var3 * 4 + var4 * 5

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Breaking Long Statements into Multiple
Lines (2 of 2)
• Any part of a statement that is enclosed in
parentheses can be broken without the line
continuation character.

print("Monday's sales are", monday,

"and Tuesday's sales are", tuesday,
"and Wednesday's sales are", Wednesday)

total = (value1 + value2 +

value3 + value4 +
value5 + value6)

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String Concatenation (1 of 2)
• To append one string to the end of another string
• Use the + operator to concatenate strings

>>> message = 'Hello ' + 'world'

>>> print(message)
Hello world
>>> 

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String Concatenation (2 of 2)
• You can use string concatenation to break up a long
string literal

print('Enter the amount of ' +

'sales for each day and ' +
'press Enter.')

This statement will display the following:

Enter the amount of sales for each day and press Enter.

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Implicit String Literal Concatenation (1 of 2)
• Two or more string literals written adjacent to each
other are implicitly concatenated into a single string

>>> my_str = 'one' 'two' 'three'

>>> print(my_str)
onetwothree

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Implicit String Literal Concatenation (2 of 2)

print('Enter the amount of '

'sales for each day and '
'press Enter.')

This statement will display the following:

Enter the amount of sales for each day and press Enter.

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More About The print Function (1 of 2)
• print function displays line of output
– Newline character at end of printed data
– Special argument end='delimiter' causes print
to place delimiter at end of data instead of newline
character
• print function uses space as item separator
– Special argument sep='delimiter' causes print
to use delimiter as item separator

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More About The print Function (2 of 2)
• Special characters appearing in string literal
– Preceded by backslash (\)
 Examples: newline (\n), horizontal tab (\t)
– Treated as commands embedded in string

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Magic Numbers
• A magic number is an unexplained numeric value that
appears in a program’s code. Example:

amount = balance * 0.069

• What is the value 0.069? An interest rate? A fee

percentage? Only the person who wrote the code
knows for sure.

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The Problem with Magic Numbers
• It can be difficult to determine the purpose of the
number.
• If the magic number is used in multiple places in the
program, it can take a lot of effort to change the
number in each location, should the need arise.
• You take the risk of making a mistake each time you
type the magic number in the program’s code.
– For example, suppose you intend to type 0.069, but you
accidentally type .0069. This mistake will cause mathematical
errors that can be difficult to find.

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Named Constants
• You should use named constants instead of magic
numbers.
• A named constant is a name that represents a value
that does not change during the program's execution.
• Example:
INTEREST_RATE = 0.069
• This creates a named constant named
INTEREST_RATE, assigned the value 0.069. It can be
used instead of the magic number:
amount = balance * INTEREST_RATE
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Advantages of Using Named Constants
• Named constants make code self-explanatory (self-
documenting)
• Named constants make code easier to maintain
(change the value assigned to the constant, and the
new value takes effect everywhere the constant is
used)
• Named constants help prevent typographical errors
that are common when using magic numbers

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Introduction to Turtle Graphics (1 of 2)
• Python's turtle graphics system displays a small
cursor known as a turtle.

• You can use Python statements to move the turtle

around the screen, drawing lines and shapes.

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Introduction to Turtle Graphics (2 of 2)
• To use the turtle graphics system, you must import the
turtle module with this statement:

import turtle

This loads the turtle module into memory

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Moving the Turtle Forward
• Use the turtle.forward(n) statement to move the
turtle forward n pixels.

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.forward(100)
>>>

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Turning the Turtle (1 of 3)
• The turtle's initial heading is 0 degrees (east)
• Use the turtle.right(angle) statement to turn
the turtle right by angle degrees.
• Use the turtle.left(angle) statement to turn the
turtle left by angle degrees.

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Turning the Turtle (2 of 3)

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.forward(100)
>>> turtle.left(90)
>>> turtle.forward(100)
>>>

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Turning the Turtle (3 of 3)

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.forward(100)
>>> turtle.right(45)
>>> turtle.forward(100)
>>>

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Setting the Turtle's Heading
• Use the turtle.setheading(angle) statement to
set the turtle's heading to a specific angle.

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.forward(50)
>>> turtle.setheading(90)
>>> turtle.forward(100)
>>> turtle.setheading(180)
>>> turtle.forward(50)
>>> turtle.setheading(270)
>>> turtle.forward(100)
>>>

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Setting the Pen Up or Down (1 of 2)
• When the turtle's pen is down, the turtle draws a line
as it moves. By default, the pen is down.
• When the turtle's pen is up, the turtle does not draw
as it moves.
• Use the turtle.penup() statement to raise the
pen.
• Use the turtle.pendown() statement to lower the
pen.

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Setting the Pen Up or Down (2 of 2)

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.forward(50)
>>> turtle.penup()
>>> turtle.forward(25)
>>> turtle.pendown()
>>> turtle.forward(50)
>>> turtle.penup()
>>> turtle.forward(25)
>>> turtle.pendown()
>>> turtle.forward(50)
>>>

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Drawing Circles
• Use the turtle.circle(radius) statement to
draw a circle with a specified radius.

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.circle(100)
>>>

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Drawing Dots
• Use the turtle.dot() statement to draw a simple
dot at the turtle's current location.

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.dot()
>>> turtle.forward(50)
>>> turtle.dot()
>>> turtle.forward(50)
>>> turtle.dot()
>>> turtle.forward(50)
>>>

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Changing the Pen Size and Drawing
Color
• Use the turtle.pensize(width) statement to
change the width of the turtle's pen, in pixels.
• Use the turtle.pencolor(color) statement to
change the turtle's drawing color.
– See Appendix D in your textbook for a complete list of colors.

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.pensize(5)
>>> turtle.pencolor('red')
>>> turtle.circle(100)
>>>

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Working with the Turtle's Window
• Use the turtle.bgcolor(color) statement to set the
window's background color.
– See Appendix D in your textbook for a complete list of colors.

• Use the turtle.setup(width,height)statement to

set the size of the turtle's window, in pixels.
– The width and height arguments are the width and height,
in pixels.
– For example, the following interactive session creates a
graphics window that is 640 pixels wide and 480 pixels high:
>>> import turtle
>>> turtle.setup(640, 480)
>>>

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Resetting the Turtle’s Window (1 of 3)
• The turtle.reset() statement:
– Erases all drawings that currently appear in the
graphics window.
– Resets the drawing color to black.
– Resets the turtle to its original position in the center of
the screen.
– Does not reset the graphics window’s background
color.

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Resetting the Turtle’s Window (2 of 3)
• The turtle.clear() statement:
– Erases all drawings that currently appear in the
graphics window.
– Does not change the turtle's position.
– Does not change the drawing color.
– Does not change the graphics window’s background
color.

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Resetting the Turtle’s Window (3 of 3)
• The turtle.clearscreen() statement:
– Erases all drawings that currently appear in the
graphics window.
– Resets the drawing color to black.
– Resets the turtle to its original position in the center of
the screen.
– Resets the graphics window’s background color to
white.

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Working with Coordinates
• The turtle uses Cartesian Coordinates

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Moving the Turtle to a Specific Location
• Use the turtle.goto(x, y) statement to move the
turtle to a specific location.

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.goto(0, 100)
>>> turtle.goto(−100, 0)
>>> turtle.goto(0, 0)
>>>

• The turtle.pos() statement displays the turtle's current X,Y coordinates.

• The turtle.xcor() statement displays the turtle's current X coordinate and
the turtle.ycor() statement displays the turtle's current Y coordinate.

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Animation Speed
• Use the turtle.speed(speed) command to
change the speed at which the turtle moves.
– The speed argument is a number in the range of 0
through 10.
– If you specify 0, then the turtle will make all of its
moves instantly (animation is disabled).

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Hiding and Displaying the Turtle
• Use the turtle.hideturtle() command to hide
the turtle.
– This command does not change the way graphics are
drawn, it simply hides the turtle icon.
• Use the turtle.showturtle() command to
display the turtle.

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Displaying Text (1 of 2)
• Use the turtle.write(text) statement to display
text in the turtle's graphics window.
– The text argument is a string that you want to display.
– The lower-left corner of the first character will be
positioned at the turtle’s X and Y coordinates.

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Displaying Text (2 of 2)

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.write('Hello World')
>>>

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Filling Shapes (1 of 2)
• To fill a shape with a color:
– Use the turtle.begin_fill() command before
drawing the shape
– Then use the turtle.end_fill() command after
the shape is drawn.
– When the turtle.end_fill() command executes,
the shape will be filled with the current fill color

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Filling Shapes (2 of 2)

>>> import turtle

>>> turtle.hideturtle()
>>> turtle.fillcolor('red')
>>> turtle.begin_fill()
>>> turtle.circle(100)
>>> turtle.end_fill()
>>>

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Getting Input With a Dialog Box (1 of 2)
>>> import turtle
>>> age = turtle.numinput('Input', 'Enter your age')

>>> import turtle

>>> name = turtle.textinput('Input', 'Enter your name')

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Getting Input With a Dialog Box (2 of 2)
• Specifying a default value, minimum value, and
maximum value with turtle.numinput:
>>> import turtle
>>> num = turtle.numinput('Input', 'Enter a number',
default=10, minval=0, maxval=100)

• An error message will be displayed if the input is less

than minval or greater than maxval

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Keeping the Graphics Window Open
• When running a turtle graphics program outside IDLE,
the graphics window closes immediately when the
program is done.
• To prevent this, add the turtle.done() statement
to the very end of your turtle graphics programs.
– This will cause the graphics window to remain open, so
you can see its contents after the program finishes
executing.

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Summary
• This chapter covered:
– The program development cycle, tools for program
design, and the design process
– Ways in which programs can receive input, particularly
from the keyboard
– Ways in which programs can present and format output
– Use of comments in programs
– Uses of variables and named constants
– Tools for performing calculations in programs
– The turtle graphics system

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