Introduction to Python Programming

[This is based on Udacity's course with the same course name.]

0. Preparation

As an easy way to learn coding, I recommend to use an online code editor. Here is what I think is useful for this purpose:

https://www.programiz.com/python-programming/online-compiler/

I also recommend to use a reference of Python. Since this is a beginner's course, the following is useful:

https://www.w3schools.com/python/default.asp

Of course, there is an official reference, but I prefer the simpler one.

If you are using a cell phone for this course, you may want to change your keyboard to the QWERTY. For this, read this explanation in Japanese.

If you are using a cell phone, you may also want to switch between tabs in Chrome Android.

If so, read this:

Tap the tab you want to open (if you want to switch tabs). Tabs are displayed as a thumbnail image containing the web page so you can make sure you're tapping the right tab. You can also swipe left and right on the address bar to switch between your open tabs.

1. overview

When programming in Python, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

• Python is case sensitive.
• Spacing is important.
• Use error messages to help you learn.

2. Data Types and Operators

You'll learn about:

• Data Types: Integers, Floats, Booleans, Strings
• Operators: Arithmetic, Assignment, Comparison, Logical
• Built-In Functions, Type Conversion
• Whitespace and Style Guidelines

3. Data Structures

You'll learn about:

• Types of Data Structures: Lists, Tuples, Sets, Dictionaries, Compound Data Structures
• Operators: Membership, Identity
• Built-In Functions or Methods

4. Control Flow

Control flow is the sequence in which your code is run. Here, we'll learn about several tools in Python we can use to affect our code's control flow:

• Conditional Statements
• Boolean Expressions
• For and While Loops
• Break and Continue
• Zip and Enumerate
• List Comprehensions

5. Functions

You'll learn about:

• Defining Functions
• Variable Scope
• Documentation
• Lambda Expressions
• Iterators and Generators

You can think about functions as a way to take what you have already learned how to do, and put it in a holder that allows you to use it over and over again in an easy to use container.

6. Scripting

You’ll learn about:

• Python Installation and Environment Setup
• Running and Editing Python Scripts
• Interacting with User Input
• Handling Exceptions
• Reading and Writing Files
• Importing Local, Standard, and Third-Party Modules
• Experimenting with an Interpreter

7. Advanced Topics

In this lesson we cover the advanced topics of generator functions and iterators.

• Iterators and Generators