Week 1

basic Python programs,

defining functions
Special thanks to Scott Shawcroft, Ryan Tucker, and Paul Beck for their work on these slides.
Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0
 About Us
• Stefanie Hatcher • Will Beebe
– Informatics – Informatics
– Grandmistress Leet Queen – IPL Hobo
– [email protected] – [email protected]

• Steve Geluso
– Computer Science
– Self-proclaimed Moon Mayor
– [email protected]

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Words you will learn today

python
print()
#
def

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 Python!
• Created in 1991 by Guido van Rossum (now at Google)
– Named for Monty Python

• Useful as a scripting language

– script: A small program meant for one-time use
– Targeted towards small to medium sized projects

• Used by:
– Google, Yahoo!, Youtube
– Many Linux distributions
– Games and apps (e.g. Eve Online)

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Python is used everywhere!

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 Interpreted Languages
• Interpreted
– Not compiled like Java
– Code is written and then directly executed by an interpreter
– Type commands into interpreter and see immediate results

Java: Runtime
Code Compiler Computer
Environment

Python: Code Interpreter Computer

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 Installing Python
Windows: Mac OS X:
• Download Python from • Python is already installed.
http://www.python.org • Open a terminal and run python
• Install Python. or run Idle from Finder.
• Run Idle from the Start Menu.
Linux:
• Chances are you already have
Python installed. To check, run
python from the terminal.
• If not, install from your
distribution's package system.
Note: For step by step installation
instructions, see the course web site.

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 The Python Interpreter
• Allows you to type commands one-at-a-time and see results
• A great way to explore Python's syntax
– Repeat previous command: Alt+P

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 How to run Python Windows
• Run IDLE to use the interpret
• Open a new window in IDLE to write and save programs

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 How to run Python Unix
• Start the interactive shell with python
• Run a program with python /path/to/program.py

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 Chapter 1 Review
• Console output: System.out.println();
• Methods: public static void name() { ... }

Hello2.java

1 public class Hello2 {

2 public static void main(String[] args) {
3 hello();
4 }
5
6 public static void hello() {
7 System.out.println("Hello, world!");
8 }
9 }

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 Our First Python Program
• Python does not have a main method like Java
– The program's main code is just written directly in the file
• Python statements do not end with semicolons

hello.py

1 print("Hello, world!")

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A Brief Review

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 Python 2.x vs Python 3.x
– We will be using Python 3 for this course
– Sometimes we may refer to Python 2
– The differences are minimal

How to Python 2.x Python 3.x

print text print “text” print(“text”)
print a blank print print()
line

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 The print Statement
print(”text")
print() (a blank line)
– Escape sequences such as \" are the same as in Java
– Strings can also start/end with '

swallows.py

1 print("Hello, world! ")

2 print()
3 print("Suppose two swallows \"carry\" it together.")
4 print('African or "European" swallows?')

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 Comments
# comment text (one line)
# must start each line of comments with the pound sign

swallows2.py

1 # Suzy Student, CSE 142, Fall 2097

2 # This program prints important messages.
3 print("Hello, world!")
4 Print() # blank line
5 print("Suppose two swallows \"carry\" it together.")
6 Print('African or "European" swallows?')

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 Functions
• Function: Equivalent to a static method in Java.
• Syntax:
hello2.py
def name():
statement 1 # Prints a helpful message.
2 def hello():
statement 3 print("Hello, world!")
... 4
5 # main (calls hello twice)
statement 6 hello()
7 hello()

– Must be declared above the 'main' code

– Statements inside the function must be indented

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 Whitespace Significance
• Python uses indentation to indicate blocks, instead of {}
– Makes the code simpler and more readable
– In Java, indenting is optional. In Python, you must indent.
– You may use either tabs or spaces, but you must be
consistent
hello3.py

1 # Prints a welcoming message.

2 def hello():
3 print("Hello, world!")
4 print("How are you?")
5
6 # main (calls hello twice)
7 hello()
8 hello()

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 Tabs or spaces
shell

1 # Prints a helpful message.

2 >>> def indent_reminder():
3 ... print("Remember, you must indent!")
4 File "<stdin>", line 2
5 print("Remember, you must indent!")
6 ^
7 IndentationError: expected an indented block
8 >>> def indent_reminder():
9 ... print("Remember, you must indent!")
10 ...
11 >>> indent_reminder()
12 Remember, you must indent!
>>>

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 Tabs or spaces
shell

1 # Prints a helpful message.

2 >>> def indententation_errors():
3 ... print("this was indented using a tab")
4 ... print("this was indented using four spaces")
5 File "<stdin>", line 3
6 print("this was indented using four spaces")
7 ^
8 IndentationError: unindent does not match any outer
9 indentation level
10 >>> def indententation_errors():
11 ... print("this was indented using a tab")
12 ... print("so this must also use a tab")
...
>>> def more_indentation_tricks():
... print("If I use spaces to indent here.")
... print("then I must use spaces to indent here.”)
>>>

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 Exercise
• Rewrite the Figures lecture program in Python. Its output:
______
/ \
/ \
\ /
\______/
\ /
\______/
+--------+
______
/ \
/ \
| SPAM |
\ /
\______/
______
/ \
/ \
+--------+

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 Exercise Solution
def egg(): def top():
top() print(" ______”)
bottom() print(" / \\”)
print() print("/ \\”)

def cup(): def bottom():

bottom() print("\\ /”)
line() print(" \\______/”)
print()
def line():
def stop(): print("+--------+”)
top()
print("| SPAM |”) # main
bottom() egg()
print() cup()
stop()
def hat(): hat()
top()
line()
print()

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