INTRODUCTORY COURSE TO

PRACTICAL PYTHON PROGRAMMING

Engku Ahmad Faisal

eafaisal@gmail.com

github.com/efaisal

twitter.com/efaisal

facebook.com/eafaisal

plus.google.com/100085338667833364551
 ABOUT THIS COURSE

● Fundamental course on programming and Python

● 3 days
● Format:
– Lectures
– Hands-on exercises
– Handout
● Feel free to ask question anytime
● Always use the official Python documentation
(https://docs.python.org/2/ or https://docs.python.org/3/)
 INTRODUCING PROGRAMMING

What is Programming?
● Instruction to do something to achieve a
desired result
● Using series of steps or actions that a
programmer defines (procedure)
● Each action works on certain object(s) or data
in order to attain a well defined goal
REAL WORLD EXAMPLE OF
PROGRAMMING

Shampoo Instruction

● Wash
● Rinse
● Repeat

Do you notice the problem with the

instruction?
 COMPUTER PROGRAMMING

● Computer is a dumb device that cannot understand human

language
● You, as a programmer, need to tell the computer precisely what
to do
● Use programming language which helps to translate your
instruction so that computer can understand
WHAT IS PYTHON?

An Overview

● A high level, general purpose

programming language
● High level: don't need to know the
details of hardware
● General purpose: can be used to build
many kind of applications (vs domain
specific language such as HTML,
SQL, MATLAB)
WHAT IS PYTHON? (cont)

A little history:

● Designed by Guido van Rossum

● First release in 1991
● Has many implementation: CPython,
PyPy, Jython, IronPython
● We'll be using the reference
implementation: CPython
WHAT IS PYTHON? (cont)

Why learn Python?

● Low learning curve

● “Enforce” good programming practice
● Multi-platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac
● “Batteries” included
WHAT IS PYTHON? (cont)

Examples of applications that

can be built using Python:

● Desktop applications/games
● Web-based applications
● System administrator tasks
automation
● Scientific & engineering data analysis
WHAT IS PYTHON? (cont)

Who uses Python?

● Giant companies & government
agencies:
– Google, Dropbox, Instagram
– CERN, NASA
● In Malaysia:
– TUDM, INCEIF, Star Newspaper
● You!
Download from www.python.org
 INTRODUCING IDLE

● IDLE is an integrated development environment

● Part of Python standard library using Tkinter as GUI toolkit
● Provides Python shell and a text editor
● Not great but good enough for our purpose
 VALUE & EXPRESSION

● Type on the Python shell:

>>> 1 + 2
● As expected the result is 3
● The number 1 and 2 are
called values
● The symbol + is an operator
● “1 + 2” together forms an
expression
STORING VALUE

● Store into variable

● Using the = sign
● Examples:
>>> var = 2
>>> var
2
>>> a = 1
>>> var + a
3
>>> result = var + a
>>> result
3
 DATATYPES: NUMBERS

● Integers ● Fractions

>>> a = 2 >>> import fractions

>>> type(a) >>> # Simulate 1/3
<class 'int'> >>> c = fractions.Fraction(1, 3)
>>> >>> c
Fraction(1, 3)
>>>
● Floats

>>> b = 2.5 ● Complex numbers

>>> type(b)
<class 'float'>
>>>
 DATATYPES: NUMBERS (cont)

Common Operators for Numbers

+ Addition > Greater than
- Substraction >= Greater than or equal to
* Multiplication < Lesser than
/ Division <= Lesser than or equal to
% Modulus (calculate remainder)
 PRIMITIVE
DATATYPES
 DATATYPES: STRINGS

● Enclosed by single quotes ● Enclosed by triple single or

double quotes for multilines
>>> 'this is a string' string
'this is a string'
>>> >>> '''first multi
… line string'''
'first multi\nline string'
● Enclosed by double quotes
>>> “””second multi
… line string”””
>>> “this is also a string”
'second multi\nline string'
'this is also a string'
>>>
>>>
 DATATYPES: STRINGS

● Concatenate ● Long string

>>> a = 'my ' >>> mystr = ('put in bracket '
>>> a + 'string' … 'to handle long string')
'my string' >>> mystr
>>> 'put in bracket to handle … '

● Repeat
>>> b = 'ha '
>>> b * 3
'ha ha ha '
>>>
 DATATYPES: STRING

● String is a sequence of characters & can be

indexed/subscripted
>>> mystr = 'Python'
>>> mystr[0]
'P'
>>> mystr[5]
'n'
>>> mystr[-1]
'n'
>>> mystr[-6]
'P'
 DATATYPE: STRINGS

● String is a sequence of characters & can be sliced

>>> mystr = 'Python'
>>> mystr[1:]
'ython'
>>> mystr[1:5]
'ytho'
>>>

● To get the length of characters, use the built-in function len()

>>> len(mystr)
6
>>>
 BASIC
DATA STRUCTURE
 DATA STRUCTURE: LIST

● Mutable (changeable), compound (group of values) data type

● Blank lists
>>> a = []
>>> b = list()
● Lists with default values
>>> a = [1, 2, 3, 4]
>>> b = ['x', 'y', 'z']
● Look at the available methods to manipulate list
● List comprehension: a more advance topic on list will be
covered later
 DATA STRUCTURE: TUPLE

● Immutable (unchangeable), compound (group of values) data

type
● Blank tuples
>>> a = ()
>>> b = tuple()
● Tuples with values
>>> a = (1, 2, 3, 4)
>>> b = ('x', 'y', 'z')
● Look at the available methods for tuple datatype
 DATA STRUCTURE: DICTIONARY

● Mapping datatype (key-value); similar to associative array in

some languages

● Blank dictionaries
>>> a = {}
>>> b = dict()

● Dictionaries with values

>>> a = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
>>> b = dict((('a', 1), ('b', 2)))
CONTROL
FLOWS
 CONTROL FLOW: IF

● Conditional control flow

● Example (Note: identation is 4 spaces):
>>> x = 5
>>> if x < 0:
… print('Negative value')
… elif x == 0:
… print('Zero')
… elif x > 0 and x < 11:
… print('Between 1 and 10')
… else:
… print('More than 10')
'Between 1 and 10'
>>>
 CONTROL FLOW: FOR

● Iterates over items in iterables (e.g. list, tuple)

● Example:
>>> for n in range(2, 10):
… for x in range(2, n):
… if n % x == 0:
… break
… else:
… print(n, 'is a prime number') # Python 3
… print n, 'is a prime number') # Python 2
● break is used to terminate iteration
● else is executed if no break occurs in the for iteration
 CONTROL FLOW: FOR

● Another example:
>>> for i in range(2, 10):
… if i % 2 == 0:
… print(i, ' is an even number') # Python 3
… print i, ' is an even number' # Python 2
… continue
… print(i, ' is an odd number') # Python 3
… print i, ' is an odd number' # Python 2
● continue keyword means continues with next iteration
 CONTROL FLOW: WHILE

● Used to loop or repeat a section of code for as long as the

condition (expression) defined in the statement is true
● Example, to loop forever:
>>> while True:
… pass
● pass keyword means “do no action” or “do nothing”
FUNCTIONS
WHAT IS A FUNCTION?

● A named section of a
program that performs
specific task
● Allow to organize code block
which repeatedly used into a
reusable procedure or
routine
● Python comes with a lot of
built-in functions which we
already seen some of them
 FUNCTION: DEFINING

● Using the keyword def ● Example: Fibonacci series

>>> def fib(n):
● Followed by a name,
… “””Doc string”””
patentheses (for possible
… a, b = 0, 1
arguments) and a colon
… while a < n:
● Body of a function must be … print a, # Py2
indented … print(a, end=' ') # Py3
… a, b = b, a+b
● Variables defined in a … print() # Py3
function is stored in the local …
symbol table >>> fib(2000)
● May return a value using
return keyword
 FUNCTION: DEFAULT ARGUMENT

● Sometimes it's useful to define default value to argument of a

function
● Example:
>>> def calculate(arg, val=1):
…
● Default value is evaluated at the point of function definition and
evaluated on once
● Example:
>>> i = 2
>>> def f(arg=i):
…
>>> i = 5
 FUNCTION: KEYWORD ARGUMENT

● Function can be called using keyword argument

● Example:
>>> def func(arg1=1, say='hello', arg3=5):
… print(say)
… print(arg1)
… print(arg3)
>>> func(say='world') # Using keyword argument
>>> func(1, 'world') # Using positional arguments
>>> func() # Using default arguments
>>>
 FUNCTION: ARBITRARY ARGUMENT

● Though seldomly used, but handy when defining a function

without knowing the possible argument upfront
● Example:
>>> def myfunc(name='test', *args, **kwargs):
… print(name)
… print(args)
… print(kwargs)
…
>>> myfunc()
>>> myfunc('test2', 1, 2, 3)
>>> myfunc('test3', 1, 2, arg3='hello', arg4='world')
 FUNCTION: ANONYMOUS

● Anonymous function can be created using the keyword lambda

● Example:
>>> is_even = lambda n: False if n == 0 or n % 2 else True
…
>>> is_even(0)
>>> is_even(1)
>>> is_even(2)
>>>
● Typically used when you need a function object
 OBJECT ORIENTED
PROGRAMMING (OOP)
 OOP: INTRODUCTION

● Programming paradigm based on the concept of data structure

revolving around objects rather than actions
● Object contain attributes (variable within the scope of the
object) and methods (functions within the object)
● The definition of object data structure is by using classes
● In Python, everything is an object
● Example:
>>> a = 1
…
>>> type(a)
 OOP: DEFINING A CLASS

● Using class keyword

● Example:
>>> class MyClass:
… def __init__(self, say='what'):
… self.say = say
… def shout(self):
… print(self.say)
…
>>> a = MyClass('Hello, world!')
>>> a.shout()
>>> a.say = 'What say you?'
>>> a.shout()
 OOP: ARBITRARY DATA STRUCTURE

● Python allow you to create a new data structure

● Example:
>>> class Point:
… def __init__(self, x, y):
… self.x, self.y = x, y
… def __add__(self, pt):
… return Point(self.x+pt.x, self.y+pt.y)
… def __sub__(self, pt):
… return Point(self.x-pt.x, self.y-pt.y)
… def __eq__(self, pt):
… return self.x == pt.x and self.y == pt.y
 OOP: INHERITANCE

● Derive a class from a base ● Example (cont):

class >>> class Car(Tyre):
… def __init__(self):
● Example:
… super(Car,
>>> class Tyre:
self).__init__()
… def __init__(self, n=4):
…
… self.numtyre = num
>>> a = Car()
…
>>> a.numtyre
>>> class Color:
… def __init__(self, ● Show multiple inheritance
c='red'): quirks
… self.color = c
…
ERRORS & EXCEPTIONS
 ERRORS & EXCEPTIONS

● Two type of error messages

– Syntax error
– Exceptions
● Syntax error example:
>>> if a ok
● Exceptions examples:
>>> z
>>> 4 + “1”
● Exception happens when the syntax is correct during execution
but error is detected
 EXCEPTION HANDLING

● Unlike syntax error, exception can be handle by your code

● Example:
>>> try:
… z/0
… except NameError:
… print(“Don't know what z is!!”)
… except ZeroDivisionError:
… print(“Can't divide z with 0!”)
… except:
… print(“Some other error”)
…
>>>
 EXCEPTION HANDLING (CONT)

● Another example:
>>> try:
… z/0
… except (NameError, ZeroDivisionError) as e:
… print(“Error: {0}.format(e.args[0]))
… except:
… print('some other error')
…
● There is also try-except-else and try-except-else-finally
statement
● The else block will be evaluated after successful run of try block
while the finally block will always executed
 RAISING EXCEPTION

● Exception can be manually raised using the keyword raise

● Example:
>>> raise NameError('duh! Var is not defined')
● Another example using custom error:
>>> class MyCustomError(Exception):
… pass
…
>>> raise MyCustomError('wow! my own error')
MODULES
 MODULE: INTRODUCTION

● A module is a file (with .py extension) containing Python

definitions and statements.
● The file name will become the module name and can be
imported from your main program
● Technically, your main program is also a (special) module
called “__main__” module.
● Python searches for modules in the current directory follows by
the path defined in PYTHONPATH then in installation
dependent default.
● Python comes with a lot of standard modules
 MODULE: EXAMPLE

● Create a file called mymod.py (this will be your module)

def func1():
print ('func1 from mymod')

def func2():
print('func2 from mymod')
● Open Python shell from the same directory
>>> import mymod
>>> mymod.func1()
>>> mymod.func2()
● Module is accessed using dot notation
 MODULE: PACKAGE

● Package is a way to structuring or organising modules into a

more logical collection as you see fit
BATTERIES INCLUDED
 BATTERIES INCLUDED

● Standard installation of Python comes with lots of built-in

functions and an array of standard libraries.
● In some cases, these functions and libraries are all you need to
build your application.
● These functions and libraries in most cases are well
documented.
● While there are a lot to cover, we'll only walkthrough a subset.
● The focus for this section will be the ones you'll (probably) often
use.
 BUILT-IN FUNCTIONS

● enumerate([seq, start=0])
● raw_input([prompt])
● len(s)
● range([start,] stop[, step]), xrange()
● open(name[, mode])
● set([iterable])
● int(), oct(), hex(), bin()
 STANDARD LIBRARIES

● sys
● os
● time
● datetime
● math
● decimal
● logging
● doctest & unittest
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

INTRODUCTORY COURSE TO
PRACTICAL PYTHON PROGRAMMING

Engku Ahmad Faisal

eafaisal@gmail.com

github.com/efaisal

twitter.com/efaisal

facebook.com/eafaisal

plus.google.com/100085338667833364551

Instructor: E A Faisal 1
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

ABOUT THIS COURSE

● Fundamental course on programming and Python

● 3 days
● Format:
– Lectures
– Hands-on exercises
– Handout
● Feel free to ask question anytime
● Always use the official Python documentation
(https://docs.python.org/2/ or https://docs.python.org/3/)

Instructor: E A Faisal 2
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

INTRODUCING PROGRAMMING

What is Programming?
● Instruction to do something to achieve a
desired result
● Using series of steps or actions that a
programmer defines (procedure)
● Each action works on certain object(s) or data
in order to attain a well defined goal

Instructor: E A Faisal 3
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE OF

PROGRAMMING

Shampoo Instruction

● Wash
● Rinse
● Repeat

Do you notice the problem with the

instruction?

Instructor: E A Faisal 4
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING

● Computer is a dumb device that cannot understand human

language
● You, as a programmer, need to tell the computer precisely what
to do
● Use programming language which helps to translate your
instruction so that computer can understand

Instructor: E A Faisal 5
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

WHAT IS PYTHON?

An Overview

● A high level, general purpose

programming language
● High level: don't need to know the
details of hardware
● General purpose: can be used to build
many kind of applications (vs domain
specific language such as HTML,
SQL, MATLAB)

Instructor: E A Faisal 6
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

WHAT IS PYTHON? (cont)

A little history:

● Designed by Guido van Rossum

● First release in 1991
● Has many implementation: CPython,
PyPy, Jython, IronPython
● We'll be using the reference
implementation: CPython

Instructor: E A Faisal 7
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

WHAT IS PYTHON? (cont)

Why learn Python?

● Low learning curve

● “Enforce” good programming practice
● Multi-platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac
● “Batteries” included

Instructor: E A Faisal 8
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

WHAT IS PYTHON? (cont)

Examples of applications that

can be built using Python:

● Desktop applications/games
● Web-based applications
● System administrator tasks
automation
● Scientific & engineering data analysis

Instructor: E A Faisal 9
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

WHAT IS PYTHON? (cont)

Who uses Python?

● Giant companies & government
agencies:
– Google, Dropbox, Instagram
– CERN, NASA
● In Malaysia:
– TUDM, INCEIF, Star Newspaper
● You!
Download from www.python.org

Show demo:
1. Game
2. Facial recognition

Instructor: E A Faisal 10
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

INTRODUCING IDLE

● IDLE is an integrated development environment

● Part of Python standard library using Tkinter as GUI toolkit
● Provides Python shell and a text editor
● Not great but good enough for our purpose

Instructor: E A Faisal 11
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

VALUE & EXPRESSION

● Type on the Python shell:

>>> 1 + 2
● As expected the result is 3
● The number 1 and 2 are
called values
● The symbol + is an operator
● “1 + 2” together forms an
expression

Instructor: E A Faisal 12
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

STORING VALUE

● Store into variable

● Using the = sign
● Examples:
>>> var = 2
>>> var
2
>>> a = 1
>>> var + a
3
>>> result = var + a
>>> result
3

Instructor: E A Faisal 13
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

DATATYPES: NUMBERS

● Integers ● Fractions

>>> a = 2 >>> import fractions

>>> type(a) >>> # Simulate 1/3
<class 'int'> >>> c = fractions.Fraction(1, 3)
>>> >>> c
Fraction(1, 3)
>>>
● Floats

>>> b = 2.5 ● Complex numbers

>>> type(b)
<class 'float'>
>>>

Instructor: E A Faisal 14
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

DATATYPES: NUMBERS (cont)

Common Operators for Numbers

+ Addition > Greater than
- Substraction >= Greater than or equal to
* Multiplication < Lesser than
/ Division <= Lesser than or equal to
% Modulus (calculate remainder)

Instructor: E A Faisal 15
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

PRIMITIVE
DATATYPES

Instructor: E A Faisal 16
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

DATATYPES: STRINGS

● Enclosed by single quotes ● Enclosed by triple single or

double quotes for multilines
>>> 'this is a string' string
'this is a string'
>>> >>> '''first multi
… line string'''
'first multi\nline string'
● Enclosed by double quotes
>>> “””second multi
… line string”””
>>> “this is also a string”
'second multi\nline string'
'this is also a string'
>>>
>>>

Instructor: E A Faisal 17
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

DATATYPES: STRINGS

● Concatenate ● Long string

>>> a = 'my ' >>> mystr = ('put in bracket '
>>> a + 'string' … 'to handle long string')
'my string' >>> mystr
>>> 'put in bracket to handle … '

● Repeat
>>> b = 'ha '
>>> b * 3
'ha ha ha '
>>>

Instructor: E A Faisal 18
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

DATATYPES: STRING

● String is a sequence of characters & can be

indexed/subscripted
>>> mystr = 'Python'
>>> mystr[0]
'P'
>>> mystr[5]
'n'
>>> mystr[-1]
'n'
>>> mystr[-6]
'P'

Instructor: E A Faisal 19
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

DATATYPE: STRINGS

● String is a sequence of characters & can be sliced

>>> mystr = 'Python'
>>> mystr[1:]
'ython'
>>> mystr[1:5]
'ytho'
>>>

● To get the length of characters, use the built-in function len()

>>> len(mystr)
6
>>>

Instructor: E A Faisal 20
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

BASIC
DATA STRUCTURE

Instructor: E A Faisal 21
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

DATA STRUCTURE: LIST

● Mutable (changeable), compound (group of values) data type

● Blank lists
>>> a = []
>>> b = list()
● Lists with default values
>>> a = [1, 2, 3, 4]
>>> b = ['x', 'y', 'z']
● Look at the available methods to manipulate list
● List comprehension: a more advance topic on list will be
covered later

Instructor: E A Faisal 22
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

DATA STRUCTURE: TUPLE

● Immutable (unchangeable), compound (group of values) data

type
● Blank tuples
>>> a = ()
>>> b = tuple()
● Tuples with values
>>> a = (1, 2, 3, 4)
>>> b = ('x', 'y', 'z')
● Look at the available methods for tuple datatype

Instructor: E A Faisal 23
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

DATA STRUCTURE: DICTIONARY

● Mapping datatype (key-value); similar to associative array in

some languages

● Blank dictionaries
>>> a = {}
>>> b = dict()

● Dictionaries with values

>>> a = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
>>> b = dict((('a', 1), ('b', 2)))

Instructor: E A Faisal 24
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

CONTROL
FLOWS

Instructor: E A Faisal 25
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

CONTROL FLOW: IF

● Conditional control flow

● Example (Note: identation is 4 spaces):
>>> x = 5
>>> if x < 0:
… print('Negative value')
… elif x == 0:
… print('Zero')
… elif x > 0 and x < 11:
… print('Between 1 and 10')
… else:
… print('More than 10')
'Between 1 and 10'
>>>

Instructor: E A Faisal 26
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

CONTROL FLOW: FOR

● Iterates over items in iterables (e.g. list, tuple)

● Example:
>>> for n in range(2, 10):
… for x in range(2, n):
… if n % x == 0:
… break
… else:
… print(n, 'is a prime number') # Python 3
… print n, 'is a prime number') # Python 2
● break is used to terminate iteration
● else is executed if no break occurs in the for iteration

Instructor: E A Faisal 27
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

CONTROL FLOW: FOR

● Another example:
>>> for i in range(2, 10):
… if i % 2 == 0:
… print(i, ' is an even number') # Python 3
… print i, ' is an even number' # Python 2
… continue
… print(i, ' is an odd number') # Python 3
… print i, ' is an odd number' # Python 2
● continue keyword means continues with next iteration

Instructor: E A Faisal 28
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

CONTROL FLOW: WHILE

● Used to loop or repeat a section of code for as long as the

condition (expression) defined in the statement is true
● Example, to loop forever:
>>> while True:
… pass
● pass keyword means “do no action” or “do nothing”

Instructor: E A Faisal 29
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

FUNCTIONS

Instructor: E A Faisal 30
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

WHAT IS A FUNCTION?

● A named section of a
program that performs
specific task
● Allow to organize code block
which repeatedly used into a
reusable procedure or
routine
● Python comes with a lot of
built-in functions which we
already seen some of them

Instructor: E A Faisal 31
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

FUNCTION: DEFINING

● Using the keyword def ● Example: Fibonacci series

>>> def fib(n):
● Followed by a name,
… “””Doc string”””
patentheses (for possible
… a, b = 0, 1
arguments) and a colon
… while a < n:
● Body of a function must be … print a, # Py2
indented … print(a, end=' ') # Py3
… a, b = b, a+b
● Variables defined in a … print() # Py3
function is stored in the local …
symbol table >>> fib(2000)
● May return a value using
return keyword

Instructor: E A Faisal 32
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

FUNCTION: DEFAULT ARGUMENT

● Sometimes it's useful to define default value to argument of a

function
● Example:
>>> def calculate(arg, val=1):
…
● Default value is evaluated at the point of function definition and
evaluated on once
● Example:
>>> i = 2
>>> def f(arg=i):
…
>>> i = 5

Instructor: E A Faisal 33
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

FUNCTION: KEYWORD ARGUMENT

● Function can be called using keyword argument

● Example:
>>> def func(arg1=1, say='hello', arg3=5):
… print(say)
… print(arg1)
… print(arg3)
>>> func(say='world') # Using keyword argument
>>> func(1, 'world') # Using positional arguments
>>> func() # Using default arguments
>>>

Instructor: E A Faisal 34
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

FUNCTION: ARBITRARY ARGUMENT

● Though seldomly used, but handy when defining a function

without knowing the possible argument upfront
● Example:
>>> def myfunc(name='test', *args, **kwargs):
… print(name)
… print(args)
… print(kwargs)
…
>>> myfunc()
>>> myfunc('test2', 1, 2, 3)
>>> myfunc('test3', 1, 2, arg3='hello', arg4='world')

Instructor: E A Faisal 35
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

FUNCTION: ANONYMOUS

● Anonymous function can be created using the keyword lambda

● Example:
>>> is_even = lambda n: False if n == 0 or n % 2 else True
…
>>> is_even(0)
>>> is_even(1)
>>> is_even(2)
>>>
● Typically used when you need a function object

Instructor: E A Faisal 36
Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

OBJECT ORIENTED
PROGRAMMING (OOP)

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

OOP: INTRODUCTION

● Programming paradigm based on the concept of data structure

revolving around objects rather than actions
● Object contain attributes (variable within the scope of the
object) and methods (functions within the object)
● The definition of object data structure is by using classes
● In Python, everything is an object
● Example:
>>> a = 1
…
>>> type(a)

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

OOP: DEFINING A CLASS

● Using class keyword

● Example:
>>> class MyClass:
… def __init__(self, say='what'):
… self.say = say
… def shout(self):
… print(self.say)
…
>>> a = MyClass('Hello, world!')
>>> a.shout()
>>> a.say = 'What say you?'
>>> a.shout()

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

OOP: ARBITRARY DATA STRUCTURE

● Python allow you to create a new data structure

● Example:
>>> class Point:
… def __init__(self, x, y):
… self.x, self.y = x, y
… def __add__(self, pt):
… return Point(self.x+pt.x, self.y+pt.y)
… def __sub__(self, pt):
… return Point(self.x-pt.x, self.y-pt.y)
… def __eq__(self, pt):
… return self.x == pt.x and self.y == pt.y

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

OOP: INHERITANCE

● Derive a class from a base ● Example (cont):

class >>> class Car(Tyre):
… def __init__(self):
● Example:
… super(Car,
>>> class Tyre:
self).__init__()
… def __init__(self, n=4):
…
… self.numtyre = num
>>> a = Car()
…
>>> a.numtyre
>>> class Color:
… def __init__(self, ● Show multiple inheritance
c='red'): quirks
… self.color = c
…

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

ERRORS & EXCEPTIONS

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

ERRORS & EXCEPTIONS

● Two type of error messages

– Syntax error
– Exceptions
● Syntax error example:
>>> if a ok
● Exceptions examples:
>>> z
>>> 4 + “1”
● Exception happens when the syntax is correct during execution
but error is detected

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

EXCEPTION HANDLING

● Unlike syntax error, exception can be handle by your code

● Example:
>>> try:
… z/0
… except NameError:
… print(“Don't know what z is!!”)
… except ZeroDivisionError:
… print(“Can't divide z with 0!”)
… except:
… print(“Some other error”)
…
>>>

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

EXCEPTION HANDLING (CONT)

● Another example:
>>> try:
… z/0
… except (NameError, ZeroDivisionError) as e:
… print(“Error: {0}.format(e.args[0]))
… except:
… print('some other error')
…
● There is also try-except-else and try-except-else-finally
statement
● The else block will be evaluated after successful run of try block
while the finally block will always executed

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

RAISING EXCEPTION

● Exception can be manually raised using the keyword raise

● Example:
>>> raise NameError('duh! Var is not defined')
● Another example using custom error:
>>> class MyCustomError(Exception):
… pass
…
>>> raise MyCustomError('wow! my own error')

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

MODULES

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

MODULE: INTRODUCTION

● A module is a file (with .py extension) containing Python

definitions and statements.
● The file name will become the module name and can be
imported from your main program
● Technically, your main program is also a (special) module
called “__main__” module.
● Python searches for modules in the current directory follows by
the path defined in PYTHONPATH then in installation
dependent default.
● Python comes with a lot of standard modules

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

MODULE: EXAMPLE

● Create a file called mymod.py (this will be your module)

def func1():
print ('func1 from mymod')

def func2():
print('func2 from mymod')
● Open Python shell from the same directory
>>> import mymod
>>> mymod.func1()
>>> mymod.func2()
● Module is accessed using dot notation

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

MODULE: PACKAGE

● Package is a way to structuring or organising modules into a

more logical collection as you see fit

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

BATTERIES INCLUDED

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

BATTERIES INCLUDED

● Standard installation of Python comes with lots of built-in

functions and an array of standard libraries.
● In some cases, these functions and libraries are all you need to
build your application.
● These functions and libraries in most cases are well
documented.
● While there are a lot to cover, we'll only walkthrough a subset.
● The focus for this section will be the ones you'll (probably) often
use.

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

BUILT-IN FUNCTIONS

● enumerate([seq, start=0])
● raw_input([prompt])
● len(s)
● range([start,] stop[, step]), xrange()
● open(name[, mode])
● set([iterable])
● int(), oct(), hex(), bin()

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Introductory Course: Practical Python Programming

STANDARD LIBRARIES

● sys
● os
● time
● datetime
● math
● decimal
● logging
● doctest & unittest

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