Lesson 1
Lesson 1
INTRODUCTION TO
PROGRAMMING
Definition of
Programming
Programming is the process of
instructing a computer to perform a task
by providing it with a sequence of
instructions, also known as code, that
specifies the operations to be performed
and the order in which they are to be
executed.
Importance of Learning
Programming at a Young Age
Problem-Solving Skills
Critical Thinking
Creativity and Innovation
Future Career Opportunities
Digital Literacy
Collaboration and Communication
Adaptability and Resilience
Preparation for the Future
Programming Languages
Programming Languages
What are Programming Languages?
-Programming languages are formal
languages used to instruct computers to
perform specific tasks. They enable
programmers to communicate instructions
to computers effectively.
Types of Programming
Languages:
High-Level vs. Low-Level Languages:
Python 2.7 (2010): The last major release in the Python 2.x
series. It became a Long-Term Support (LTS) version,
providing bug fixes and security updates until its official end of
life in January 2020.
Python 3.x Era:
Python 3.0 (2008): A major release that was not backward
compatible with Python 2.x. It aimed to fix design flaws and clean
up the language. Key features included print as a function, new
syntax for division (true division), and improved Unicode support.
Python 3.9 (2020): Added new features like dictionary merge operators,
type hinting improvements, and the removal of deprecated modules.
For example:
Java
Explicit Declarations
Type Declarations: In Java, you must
explicitly declare the type of each
variable.
For example:
Boilerplate Code
Getters and Setters: Java often requires you to write
boilerplate code for getters and setters, though frameworks
and tools can help reduce this.
For example:
Class Definitions
Class and Object Creation: Java requires explicit
class definitions and object creation.
For example:
Exception Handling
Try-Catch Blocks: Java requires
explicit exception handling, which can
add to the verbosity.
For example:
Generics and Type Parameters
Generics: Java's use of generics
requires specifying type parameters,
which can add verbosity.
For example:
Java Verbose Syntax Summary
While Java's verbose syntax can be
seen as a drawback due to the
additional lines of code and boilerplate it
often requires, it is also designed to
provide strong type safety, clarity, and
maintainability. Many developers find
that the explicit nature of Java's syntax
helps to prevent errors and improves the
readability of the code, especially in
large and complex systems.
Python
Although Python is dynamically typed, it
often requires explicit initialization and
clear variable assignments, which can
add to the verbosity:
For example:
Class and Method
Definitions
Defining classes and methods in Python can be more
verbose, especially when implementing features like getters
and setters.
For example:
Exception Handling
Python's exception handling requires explicit try-except
blocks, which can add verbosity to error-prone code sections
For example:
Decorators
While decorators are powerful, they can make function
definitions longer and more complex.
For example:
Decorators
Data Validation.
Validating data types or values often requires explicit checks:
For example:
Context Managers
Using context managers for resource management (like file
handling) adds some verbosity:
For example:
Activity 2:
Using the Venn Diagram compare and
contrast JAVA and PYTHON Syntax
Verbose