Complete Python Course
Complete Python Course
Why Python?
➢ Python works on different platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc).
➢ Python has a simple syntax similar to the English language.
➢ Python has syntax that allows developers to write programs with fewer lines than some other
programming languages.
➢ Python runs on an interpreter system, meaning that code can be executed as soon as it is written.
This means that prototyping can be very quick.
➢ Python can be treated in a procedural way, an object-oriented way or a functional way.
Good to know
➢ The most recent major version of Python is Python 3, which we shall be using in this tutorial.
However, Python 2, although not being updated with anything other than security updates, is still
quite popular.
➢ In this tutorial Python will be written in a text editor. It is possible to write Python in an
Integrated Development Environment, such as Thonny, Pycharm, Netbeans or Eclipse which are
particularly useful when managing larger collections of Python files.
Python Quickstart
Python is an interpreted programming language, this means that as a developer you write Python (.py)
files in a text editor and then put those files into the python interpreter to be executed.
• The way to run a python file is like this on the command line:
C:\Users\Your Name>python helloworld.py
Where "helloworld.py" is the name of your python file.
• Let's write our first Python file, called helloworld.py, which can be done in any text editor.
helloworld.py
print("Hello, World!")
• Simple as that. Save your file. Open your command line, navigate to the directory where you
saved your file, and run:
C:\Users\Your Name>python helloworld.py
• The output should read:
Hello, World!
Congratulations, you have written and executed your first Python program.
The Python Command Line
To test a short amount of code in python sometimes it is quickest and easiest not to write the code in a
file. This is made possible because Python can be run as a command line itself.
Type the following on the Windows, Mac or Linux command line:
C:\Users\Your Name>python
Or, if the "python" command did not work, you can try "py":
C:\Users\Your Name>py
• From there you can write any python, including our hello world example from earlier in the
tutorial:
C:\Users\Your Name>python
Python 3.6.4 (v3.6.4:d48eceb, Dec 19 2017, 06:04:45) [MSC v.1900 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> print("Hello, World!")
• Which will write "Hello, World!" in the command line:
C:\Users\Your Name>python
Python 3.6.4 (v3.6.4:d48eceb, Dec 19 2017, 06:04:45) [MSC v.1900 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> print("Hello, World!")
Hello, World!
Whenever you are done in the python command line, you can simply type the following to quit the
python command line interface:
exit()
Python Syntax
As we learned, Python syntax can be executed by writing directly in the Command Line:
>>> print("Hello, World!")
Hello, World!
Or by creating a python file on the server, using the .py file extension, and running it in the Command
Line:
C:\Users\Your Name>python myfile.py
Python Indentation
Indentation refers to the spaces at the beginning of a code line.
Where in other programming languages the indentation in code is for readability only, the indentation in
Python is very important.
• Python uses indentation to indicate a block of code.
Example
if 5 > 2:
print("Five is greater than two!")
• You have to use the same number of spaces in the same block of code, otherwise Python will give
you an error:
Example
Syntax Error:
if 5 > 2:
print("Five is greater than two!")
print("Five is greater than two!")
Python Variables
In Python, variables are created when you assign a value to it:
Example
Variables in Python:
x = 5
y = "Hello, World!"
Python has no command for declaring a variable.
You will learn more about variables in the Python Variables chapter.
Comments
Python has commenting capability for the purpose of in-code documentation.
Comments start with a #, and Python will render the rest of the line as a comment:
Python Comments
➢ Comments can be used to explain Python code.
➢ Comments can be used to make the code more readable.
➢ Comments can be used to prevent execution when testing code.
Creating a Comment
• Comments starts with a #, and Python will ignore them:
Example
#This is a comment
print("Hello, World!")
• Comments can be placed at the end of a line, and Python will ignore the rest of the line:
Example print("Hello, World!") #This is a comment
• A comment does not have to be text that explains the code, it can also be used to prevent Python
from executing code:
Example
#print("Hello, World!")
print("Cheers, Mate!")
Multi Line Comments
Python does not really have a syntax for multi line comments.
• To add a multiline comment you could insert a # for each line:
Example
#This is a comment
#written in
#more than just one line
print("Hello, World!")
Or, not quite as intended, you can use a multiline string.
• Since Python will ignore string literals that are not assigned to a variable, you can add a multiline
string (triple quotes) in your code, and place your comment inside it:
Example
"""
This is a comment
written in
more than just one line
"""
print("Hello, World!")
• As long as the string is not assigned to a variable, Python will read the code, but then ignore it,
and you have made a multiline comment.
Python From Scratch
Python Variables
Lesson 2 Content
• Python Variables
• Creating Variables
• Casting
• Get the Type
• Single or Double Quotes?
• Case-Sensitive
• Python Variable Names
➢ Camel Case
➢ Pascal Case
➢ Snake Case
• Python Assign Multiple Values
• Python Output Variables
• Python Global Variables
• Python Variable Exercises
Python Variables
In Python, variables are created when you assign a value to it:
Example
Variables in Python:
x = 5
y = "Hello, World!" Python has no command for declaring a variable.
Notice the space character after "Python " and "is ", without them the result would be
"Pythonisawesome".
• For numbers, the + character works as a mathematical operator:
Example x = 5
y = 10
print(x + y)
• In the print() function, when you try to combine a string and a number with the + operator, Python
will give you an error:
Example x = 5
y = "John"
print(x + y)
• The best way to output multiple variables in the print() function is to separate them with commas,
which even support different data types:
Example x = 5
y = "John"
print(x, y)
Python - Global Variables
Global Variables
Variables that are created outside of a function (as in all of the examples above) are known as global
variables.
Global variables can be used by everyone, both inside of functions and outside.
Example
x = "awesome"
def myfunc():
print("Python is " + x)
myfunc()
• If you create a variable with the same name inside a function, this variable will be local, and can
only be used inside the function. The global variable with the same name will remain as it was,
global and with the original value.
Example
Create a variable inside a function, with the same name as the global variable
x = "awesome"
def myfunc():
x = "fantastic"
print("Python is " + x)
myfunc()
print("Python is " + x)
The global Keyword
Normally, when you create a variable inside a function, that variable is local, and can only be used
inside that function.
To create a global variable inside a function, you can use the global keyword.
Example
If you use the global keyword, the variable belongs to the global scope:
def myfunc():
global x
x = "fantastic"
myfunc()
print("Python is " + x)
• Also, use the global keyword if you want to change a global variable inside a function.
Example
To change the value of a global variable inside a function, refer to the variable by using
the global keyword:
x = "awesome"
def myfunc():
global x
x = "fantastic"
myfunc()
print("Python is " + x)
Now you have learned a lot about variables, and how to use them in Python.
Try to insert the missing part to make the code work as expected:
Exercise:
Create a variable named carname and assign the value Volvo to it.
= " "
Python From Scratch
Python Data Types & Python Numbers & Python Casting
Lesson 3 Content
Python Numbers
• Numeric types in Python
➢ int
➢ float
➢ Complex
• Type Conversion
• Random Number
• Test Yourself with Exercises
Python Casting
• Specify a Variable Type
• Constructor functions
➢ int()
➢ float()
➢ str()
Python Data Types
Built-in Data Types
In programming, data type is an important concept.
Variables can store data of different types, and different types can do different things.
Python has the following data types built-in by default, in these categories:
• Variables of numeric types are created when you assign a value to them:
Example
x = 1 # int
y = 2.8 # float
z = 1j # complex
• To verify the type of any object in Python, use the type() function:
Example
print(type(x))
print(type(y))
print(type(z))
print(a)
print(b)
print(c)
print(type(a))
print(type(b))
print(type(c))
Note: You cannot convert complex numbers into another number type.
Random Number
Python does not have a random() function to make a random number, but Python has a built-in
module called random that can be used to make random numbers:
Example
Import the random module, and display a random number between 1 and 9:
import random
print(random.randrange(1, 10))
In our Random Module Reference you will learn more about the Random module.
Python Casting
Specify a Variable Type
There may be times when you want to specify a type on to a variable. This can be done with casting.
Python is an object-orientated language, and as such it uses classes to define data types, including its
primitive types.
• int() - constructs an integer number from an integer literal, a float literal (by removing all
decimals), or a string literal (providing the string represents a whole number)
• float() - constructs a float number from an integer literal, a float literal or a string literal (providing
the string represents a float or an integer)
• str() - constructs a string from a wide variety of data types, including strings, integer literals and
float literals
Examples
Integers: Floats: Strings:
x = int(1) # x will be 1 x = float(1) # x will be 1.0 x = str("s1") # x will be 's1'
y = int(2.8) # y will be 2 y = float(2.8) # y will be 2.8 y = str(2) # y will be '2'
z = int("3") # z will be 3 z = float("3") # z will be 3.0 z = str(3.0) # z will be '3.0'
w = float("4.2") # w will be 4.2
The following code example would print the data type of x, what data type would that be?
x = 5
print(type(x))
Number Exercise:
x = 5
x = (x)
Python From Scratch
Python Strings
Lesson 4 Content
Python Strings
• Assign String to a Variable
• Multiline Strings
• Strings are Arrays
• Looping Through a String
• String Length
• Check String
• Check if NOT
Multiline Strings
You can assign a multiline string to a variable by using three quotes:
Example Or
You can use three double quotes: Three single quotes:
a = """Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, a = '''Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetur adipiscing elit, consectetur adipiscing elit,
sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt
ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.""" ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.'''
print(a) print(a)
Note: in the result, the line breaks are inserted at the same position as in the code.
Negative Indexing
Use negative indexes to start the slice from the end of the string:
Example
Get the characters:
From: "o" in "World!" (position -5)
To, but not included: "d" in "World!" (position -2):
b = "Hello, World!"
print(b[-5:-2])
Python Modify Strings
Python has a set of built-in methods that you can use on strings.
Upper Case Lower Case
Example Example
The upper() method returns the string in The lower() method returns the string in
upper case: lower case:
a = "Hello, World!" a = "Hello, World!"
print(a.upper()) print(a.lower())
Remove Whitespace
Whitespace is the space before and/or after the actual text, and very often you want to remove this
space.
Example
The strip() method removes any whitespace from the beginning or the end:
a = " Hello, World! "
print(a.strip()) # returns "Hello, World!"
Replace String
Example
The replace() method replaces a string with another string:
a = "Hello, World!"
print(a.replace("H", "J"))
Split String
The split() method returns a list where the text between the specified separator becomes the list items.
Example
The split() method splits the string into substrings if it finds instances of the separator:
a = "Hello, World!"
print(a.split(",")) # returns ['Hello', ' World!']
But we can combine strings and numbers by using the format() method!
• The format() method takes the passed arguments, formats them, and places them in the string where
the placeholders {} are:
Example
Use the format() method to insert numbers into strings:
age = 36
txt = "My name is John, and I am {}"
print(txt.format(age))
• The format() method takes unlimited number of arguments, and are placed into the respective
placeholders:
Example
quantity = 3
itemno = 567
price = 49.95
myorder = "I want {} pieces of item {} for {} dollars."
print(myorder.format(quantity, itemno, price))
• You can use index numbers {0} to be sure the arguments are placed in the correct placeholders:
Example
quantity = 3
itemno = 567
price = 49.95
myorder = "I want to pay {2} dollars for {0} pieces of item {1}."
print(myorder.format(quantity, itemno, price))
Method Description
capitalize() Converts the first character to upper case
casefold() Converts string into lower case
center() Returns a centered string
count() Returns the number of times a specified value occurs in a string
encode() Returns an encoded version of the string
endswith() Returns true if the string ends with the specified value
expandtabs() Sets the tab size of the string
find() Searches the string for a specified value and returns the position of where it was found
format() Formats specified values in a string
format_map() Formats specified values in a string
index() Searches the string for a specified value and returns the position of where it was found
isalnum() Returns True if all characters in the string are alphanumeric
isalpha() Returns True if all characters in the string are in the alphabet
isdecimal() Returns True if all characters in the string are decimals
isdigit() Returns True if all characters in the string are digits
isidentifier() Returns True if the string is an identifier
islower() Returns True if all characters in the string are lower case
isnumeric() Returns True if all characters in the string are numeric
isprintable() Returns True if all characters in the string are printable
isspace() Returns True if all characters in the string are whitespaces
istitle() Returns True if the string follows the rules of a title
isupper() Returns True if all characters in the string are upper case
join() Joins the elements of an iterable to the end of the string
ljust() Returns a left justified version of the string
lower() Converts a string into lower case
lstrip() Returns a left trim version of the string
maketrans() Returns a translation table to be used in translations
partition() Returns a tuple where the string is parted into three parts
replace() Returns a string where a specified value is replaced with a specified value
rfind() Searches the string for a specified value and returns the last position of where it was found
rindex() Searches the string for a specified value and returns the last position of where it was found
rjust() Returns a right justified version of the string
rpartition() Returns a tuple where the string is parted into three parts
rsplit() Splits the string at the specified separator, and returns a list
rstrip() Returns a right trim version of the string
split() Splits the string at the specified separator, and returns a list
splitlines() Splits the string at line breaks and returns a list
startswith() Returns true if the string starts with the specified value
strip() Returns a trimmed version of the string
swapcase() Swaps cases, lower case becomes upper case and vice versa
title() Converts the first character of each word to upper case
translate() Returns a translated string
upper() Converts a string into upper case
zfill() Fills the string with a specified number of 0 values at the beginning
Python Booleans
• Boolean Values
• Evaluate Values and Variables
• Most Values are True
• Some Values are False
• Functions can Return a Boolean
• Python - Booleans Exercises
Python Operators
• Python Arithmetic Operators
• Python Assignment Operators
• Python Comparison Operators
• Python Logical Operators
• Python Identity Operators
• Python Membership Operators
• Python Bitwise Operators
Python Booleans
Booleans represent one of two values: True or False.
Boolean Values
In programming you often need to know if an expression is True or False.
You can evaluate any expression in Python, and get one of two answers, True or False.
When you compare two values, the expression is evaluated and Python returns the Boolean answer:
Example
print(10 > 9)
print(10 == 9)
print(10 < 9)
When you run a condition in an if statement, Python returns True or False:
Example
Print a message based on whether the condition is True or False:
a = 200
b = 33
if b > a:
print("b is greater than a")
else:
print("b is not greater than a")
Python also has many built-in functions that return a boolean value, like the isinstance() function, which
can be used to determine if an object is of a certain data type:
Example
Check if an object is an integer or not:
x = 200
print(isinstance(x, int))
Exercise:
The statement below would print a Boolean value, which one?
print(10 > 9)
Python Operators
Operators are used to perform operations on variables and values.
In the example below, we use the + operator to add together two values:
Example : print(10 + 5)
<< Zero fill left shift Shift left by pushing zeros in from the right and let the leftmost bits fall off
>> Signed right shift Shift right by pushing copies of the leftmost bit in from the left, and let the
rightmost bits fall off
Python From Scratch
Python Lists
Lesson 6 Content
• Python Lists • Python - Loop Lists
• List • Loop Through a List
• List Items • Loop Through the Index Numbers
• Ordered • Using a While Loop
• Changeable • Looping Using List Comprehension
• Allow Duplicates • Python - List Comprehension
• List Length
• List Items - Data Types • The Syntax
• type() • Condition
• The list() Constructor • Iterable
• Python Collections (Arrays) • Expression
List Items
List items are ordered, changeable, and allow duplicate values.
List items are indexed, the first item has index [0], the second item has index [1] etc.
Ordered
When we say that lists are ordered, it means that the items have a defined order, and that order will not
change.
If you add new items to a list, the new items will be placed at the end of the list.
Note: There are some list methods that will change the order, but in general: the order of the items
will not change.
Changeable
The list is changeable, meaning that we can change, add, and remove items in a list after it has been
created.
Allow Duplicates
Since lists are indexed, lists can have items with the same value:
Example
Lists allow duplicate values:
thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry", "apple", "cherry"]
print(thislist)
List Length
To determine how many items a list has, use the len() function:
Example
Print the number of items in the list:
thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
print(len(thislist))
List Items - Data Types
List items can be of any data type:
Example
String, int and boolean data types:
list1 = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
list2 = [1, 5, 7, 9, 3]
list3 = [True, False, False]
type()
From Python's perspective, lists are defined as objects with the data type 'list': <class 'list'>
Example
What is the data type of a list?
mylist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
print(type(mylist))
*Set items are unchangeable, but you can remove and/or add items whenever you like.
**As of Python version 3.7, dictionaries are ordered. In Python 3.6 and earlier, dictionaries
are unordered.
When choosing a collection type, it is useful to understand the properties of that type. Choosing the
right type for a particular data set could mean retention of meaning, and, it could mean an increase in
efficiency or security.
Python - Access List Items
Access Items
List items are indexed and you can access them by referring to the index number:
Example
Print the second item of the list:
thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
print(thislist[1])
Note: The first item has index 0.
Negative Indexing
Negative indexing means start from the end -1 refers to the last item, -2 refers to the second last item etc.
Example
Print the last item of the list:
thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
print(thislist[-1])
Range of Indexes
You can specify a range of indexes by specifying where to start and where to end the range.
When specifying a range, the return value will be a new list with the specified items.
Example
Return the third, fourth, and fifth item:
thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", "kiwi", "melon", "mango"]
print(thislist[2:5])
Note: The search will start at index 2 (included) and end at index 5 (not included).
Remember that the first item has index 0.
By leaving out the start value, the range will By leaving out the end value, the range will go on
start at the first item: to the end of the list:
Example Example
This example returns the items from the This example returns the items from "cherry" to
beginning to, but NOT including, "kiwi": the end:
thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", "kiwi",
"kiwi", "melon", "mango"] "melon", "mango"]
print(thislist[:4]) print(thislist[2:])
Note: The length of the list will change when the number of items inserted does not match the number
of items replaced.
Insert Items
To insert a list item at a specified index, use the insert() method.
The insert() method inserts an item at the specified index:
Example
Insert an item as the second position:
thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
thislist.insert(1, "orange")
print(thislist)
Note: As a result of the examples above, the lists will now contain 4 items.
Extend List
To append elements from another list to the current list, use the extend() method.
Example
Add the elements of tropical to thislist:
thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
tropical = ["mango", "pineapple", "papaya"]
thislist.extend(tropical)
print(thislist)
The elements will be added to the end of the list.
Condition Iterable
The condition is like a filter that only accepts the The iterable can be any iterable object, like a
items that valuate to True. list, tuple, set etc.
Example Example
Only accept items that are not "apple": You can use the range() function to create an
newlist = [x for x in fruits if x != "apple"] iterable:
newlist = [x for x in range(10)]
The condition if x != "apple" will return True for
all elements other than "apple", making the new list Same example, but with a condition:
contain all fruits except "apple". Example
The condition is optional and can be omitted: Accept only numbers lower than 5:
Example newlist = [x for x in range(10) if x < 5]
With no if statement:
newlist = [x for x in fruits]
Expression
The expression is the current item in the iteration, but it is also the outcome, which you can manipulate
before it ends up like a list item in the new list:
The expression can also contain conditions, not like a
Example
filter, but as a way to manipulate the outcome:
Set the values in the new list to upper case:
Example
newlist = [x.upper() for x in fruits]
You can set the outcome to whatever you like: Return "orange" instead of "banana":
Example newlist = [x if x != "banana" else "orange" for x in fruits]
Set all values in the new list to 'hello': The expression in the example above says:
"Return the item if it is not banana, if it is banana
newlist = ['hello' for x in fruits]
return orange".
Python - Sort Lists
Sort List Alphanumerically
List objects have a sort() method that will sort the list alphanumerically, ascending, by default:
Example
Sort the list alphabetically: Sort the list numerically:
thislist = ["orange", "mango", "kiwi", "pineapple", "banana"] thislist = [100, 50, 65, 82, 23]
thislist.sort() thislist.sort()
print(thislist) print(thislist)
Sort Descending
To sort descending, use the keyword argument reverse = True:
Example
Sort the list descending: Sort the list descending:
thislist = ["orange", "mango", "kiwi", "pineapple", "banana"] thislist = [100, 50, 65, 82, 23]
thislist.sort(reverse = True) thislist.sort(reverse = True)
print(thislist) print(thislist)
There are ways to make a copy, one way is to use the built-in List method copy().
Example
Make a copy of a list with the copy() method:
thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
mylist = thislist.copy()
print(mylist)
list1.extend(list2)
print(list1)
Tuple Items
Tuple items are ordered, unchangeable, and allow duplicate values.
Tuple items are indexed, the first item has index [0], the second item has index [1] etc.
Ordered
When we say that tuples are ordered, it means that the items have a defined order, and that order will
not change.
Unchangeable
Tuples are unchangeable, meaning that we cannot change, add or remove items after the tuple has been
created.
Allow Duplicates
Since tuples are indexed, they can have items Create Tuple With One Item
with the same value: To create a tuple with only one item, you have to
add a comma after the item, otherwise Python will
Example
not recognize it as a tuple.
Tuples allow duplicate values:
Example
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "apple", "cherry")
To create a tuple with only one item, you have
print(thistuple)
to add a comma after the item, otherwise
Tuple Length Python will not recognize it as a tuple.
To determine how many items a tuple has, use thistuple = ("apple",)
the len() function: print(type(thistuple))
Example
#NOT a tuple
Print the number of items in the tuple:
thistuple = ("apple")
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(type(thistuple))
print(len(thistuple))
Tuple Items - Data Types
Tuple items can be of any data type:
Example
String, int and boolean data types:
tuple1 = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
tuple2 = (1, 5, 7, 9, 3)
tuple3 = (True, False, False)
A tuple can contain different data types:
Example
A tuple with strings, integers and boolean values:
tuple1 = ("abc", 34, True, 40, "male")
type()
From Python's perspective, tuples are defined as objects with the data type 'tuple': <class 'tuple'>
Example
What is the data type of a tuple?
mytuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(type(mytuple))
The tuple() Constructor
It is also possible to use the tuple() constructor to make a tuple.
Example
Using the tuple() method to make a tuple:
thistuple = tuple(("apple", "banana", "cherry")) # note the double round-brackets
print(thistuple)
*Set items are unchangeable, but you can remove and/or add items whenever you like.
**As of Python version 3.7, dictionaries are ordered. In Python 3.6 and earlier, dictionaries are unordered.
When choosing a collection type, it is useful to understand the properties of that type. Choosing the
right type for a particular data set could mean retention of meaning, and, it could mean an increase in
efficiency or security.
Python - Access Tuple Items
Access Tuple Items Negative Indexing
You can access tuple items by referring to the Negative indexing means start from the end.
index number, inside square brackets: -1 refers to the last item, -2 refers to the second
Example last item etc.
Print the second item in the tuple: Example
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry") Print the last item of the tuple:
print(thistuple[1]) thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
Note: The first item has index 0. print(thistuple[-1])
Range of Indexes
You can specify a range of indexes by specifying where to start and where to end the range.
When specifying a range, the return value will be a new tuple with the specified items.
Example
Return the third, fourth, and fifth item:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", "kiwi", "melon", "mango")
print(thistuple[2:5])
Note: The search will start at index 2 (included) and end at index 5 (not included).
Remember that the first item has index 0.
By leaving out the start value, the range will start By leaving out the end value, the range will go on
at the first item: to the end of the list:
Example Example
This example returns the items from the This example returns the items from
beginning to, but NOT included, "kiwi": "cherry" and to the end:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry",
"kiwi", "melon", "mango") "orange", "kiwi", "melon", "mango")
print(thistuple[:4]) print(thistuple[2:])
Range of Negative Indexes
Specify negative indexes if you want to start the search from the end of the tuple:
Example
This example returns the items from index -4 (included) to index -1 (excluded)
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", "kiwi", "melon", "mango")
print(thistuple[-4:-1])
Check if Item Exists
To determine if a specified item is present in a tuple use the in keyword:
Example
Check if "apple" is present in the tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
if "apple" in thistuple:
print("Yes, 'apple' is in the fruits tuple")
Python - Update Tuples
Tuples are unchangeable, meaning that you cannot change, add, or remove items once the tuple is created.
But there are some workarounds.
Change Tuple Values
Example
Once a tuple is created, you cannot change its
Convert the tuple into a list to be able to
values. Tuples are unchangeable, or immutable as
change it:
it also is called.
x = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
But there is a workaround. You can convert the y = list(x)
tuple into a list, change the list, and convert the list y[1] = "kiwi"
back into a tuple. x = tuple(y)
print(x)
Add Items
Since tuples are immutable, they do not have a build-in append() method, but there are other ways to
add items to a tuple.
1. Convert into a list: Just like the workaround 2. Add tuple to a tuple. You are allowed to
add tuples to tuples, so if you want to add
for changing a tuple, you can convert it into a list,
one item, (or many), create a new tuple with
add your item(s), and convert it back into a tuple. the item(s), and add it to the existing tuple:
Example Example
Convert the tuple into a list, add "orange", and Create a new tuple with the value
convert it back into a tuple: "orange", and add that tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry") thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
y = list(thistuple) y = ("orange",)
y.append("orange") thistuple += y
thistuple = tuple(y) print(thistuple)
Note: When creating a tuple with only one item, remember to include a comma after the item, otherwise
it will not be identified as a tuple.
Remove Items
Note: You cannot remove items in a tuple.
Tuples are unchangeable, so you cannot remove items from it, but you can use the same workaround as
we used for changing and adding tuple items:
Example Or you can delete the tuple completely:
Convert the tuple into a list, remove "apple", Example
and convert it back into a tuple: The del keyword can delete the tuple
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry") completely:
y = list(thistuple)
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
y.remove("apple")
del thistuple
thistuple = tuple(y)
print(thistuple) #this will raise an error because
the tuple no longer exists
Python - Unpack Tuples
Unpacking a Tuple
When we create a tuple, we normally assign values to it. This is called "packing" a tuple:
Example
Packing a tuple:
fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
But, in Python, we are also allowed to extract the values back into variables. This is called "unpacking":
Example
Unpacking a tuple:
fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(green)
print(yellow)
print(red)
Note: The number of variables must match the number of values in the tuple, if not, you must use an
asterisk to collect the remaining values as a list.
Using Asterisk*
If the number of variables is less than the number of values, you can add an * to the variable name and
the values will be assigned to the variable as a list:
Example
Assign the rest of the values as a list called "red":
fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "strawberry", "raspberry")
print(green)
print(yellow)
print(red)
If the asterisk is added to another variable name than the last, Python will assign values to the variable
until the number of values left matches the number of variables left.
Example
Add a list of values the "tropic" variable:
fruits = ("apple", "mango", "papaya", "pineapple", "cherry")
print(green)
print(tropic)
print(red)
Python - Loop Tuples
Loop Through a Tuple
You can loop through the tuple items by using a for loop.
Example
Iterate through the items and print the values:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
for x in thistuple:
print(x)
Method Description
index() Searches the tuple for a specified value and returns the position of where it was found
print( )
Python From Scratch
Python Sets
Lesson 8 Content
Python Sets
Access Set Items
Add Set Items
Remove Set Items
Loop Sets
Join Sets
Python - Set Methods
Python - Set Exercises
Python Sets
myset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
Set
Sets are used to store multiple items in a single variable.
Set is one of 4 built-in data types in Python used to store collections of data, the other 3 are List, Tuple,
and Dictionary, all with different qualities and usage.
A set is a collection which is unordered, unchangeable*, and unindexed.
* Note: Set items are unchangeable, but you can remove items and add new items.
Note: Sets are unordered, so you cannot be sure in which order the items will appear.
Set Items
Set items are unordered, unchangeable, and do not allow duplicate values.
Unordered
Unordered means that the items in a set do not have a defined order.
Set items can appear in a different order every time you use them, and cannot be referred to by index or
key.
Unchangeable
Set items are unchangeable, meaning that we cannot change the items after the set has been created.
Once a set is created, you cannot change its items, but you can remove items and add new items.
print(thisset)
Python - Access Set Items
Access Items
You cannot access items in a set by referring to an index or a key.
But you can loop through the set items using a for loop, or ask if a specified value is present in a set, by
using the in keyword.
Example
Loop through the set, and print the values: Check if "banana" is present in the set:
thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"} thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
Add Sets
To add items from another set into the current set, use the update() method.
Example
Add elements from tropical into thisset:
thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
tropical = {"pineapple", "mango", "papaya"}
thisset.update(tropical)
print(thisset)
print(thisset)
Python - Remove Set Items
Remove Item
To remove an item in a set, use the remove(), or the discard() method.
Example
Remove "banana" by using the remove() method:
thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
thisset.remove("banana")
print(thisset)
Note: If the item to remove does not exist, remove() will raise an error.
Example
Remove "banana" by using the discard() method:
thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
thisset.discard("banana")
print(thisset)
Note: If the item to remove does not exist, discard() will NOT raise an error.
You can also use the pop() method to remove an item, but this method will remove a random item, so
you cannot be sure what item that gets removed.
The return value of the pop() method is the removed item.
Example
Remove a random item by using the pop() method:
thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
x = thisset.pop()
print(x)
print(thisset)
Note: Sets are unordered, so when using the pop() method, you do not know which item that gets
removed.
Example
The clear() method empties the set: The del keyword will delete the set completely:
thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"} thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
thisset.clear() del thisset
print(thisset) print(thisset)
Python - Loop Sets
Loop Items
You can loop through the set items by using a for loop:
Example
Loop through the set, and print the values:
thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
for x in thisset:
print(x)
set3 = set1.union(set2)
print(set3)
Example
The update() method inserts the items in set2 into set1:
set1 = {"a", "b" , "c"}
set2 = {1, 2, 3}
set1.update(set2)
print(set1)
Note: Both union() and update() will exclude any duplicate items.
Keep ONLY the Duplicates
The intersection_update() method will keep only the items that are present in both sets.
Example
Keep the items that exist in both set x, and set y:
x = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
y = {"google", "microsoft", "apple"}
x.intersection_update(y)
print(x)
The intersection() method will return a new set, that only contains the items that are present in both sets.
Example
Return a set that contains the items that exist in both set x, and set y:
x = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
y = {"google", "microsoft", "apple"}
z = x.intersection(y)
print(z)
x.symmetric_difference_update(y)
print(x)
The symmetric_difference() method will return a new set, that contains only the elements that are NOT
present in both sets.
Example
Return a set that contains all items from both sets, except items that are present in both:
x = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
y = {"google", "microsoft", "apple"}
z = x.symmetric_difference(y)
print(z)
Python - Set Methods
Set Methods
Python has a set of built-in methods that you can use on sets.
Method Description
add() Adds an element to the set
difference() Returns a set containing the difference between two or more sets
difference_update() Removes the items in this set that are also included in another, specified set
intersection_update() Removes the items in this set that are not present in other, specified set(s)
symmetric_difference_update() inserts the symmetric differences from this set and another
update() Update the set with the union of this set and others
if "apple" fruits:
print("Yes, apple is a fruit!")
Python From Scratch
Python Dictionaries
Lesson 9 Content
• Python Dictionaries
• Dictionary
• Dictionary Items
• Ordered or Unordered?
• Changeable
• Duplicates Not Allowed
• Dictionary Length
• Dictionary Items - Data Types
• type()
• The dict() Constructor
• Python Collections (Arrays)
• Access Items
• Accessing Items
• Get Keys
• Get Values
• Get Items
• Check if Key Exists
• Change Items
• Change Values
• Update Dictionary
• Add Items
• Adding Items
• Update Dictionary
• Remove Items
• Loop Dictionaries
• Copy Dictionaries
• Nested Dictionaries
• Python - Dictionaries Methods
• Python - Dictionaries Exercises
Python Dictionaries
Dictionary Items
Dictionaries are used to store data values in key:value pairs.
A dictionary is a collection which is ordered*, changeable and do not allow duplicates.
As of Python version 3.7, dictionaries are ordered. In Python 3.6 and earlier, dictionaries are unordered.
Dictionaries are written with curly brackets, and have keys and values:
Example
Create and print a dictionary:
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
print(thisdict)
Dictionary Items
Dictionary items are ordered, changeable, and does not allow duplicates.
Dictionary items are presented in key:value pairs, and can be referred to by using the key name.
Example
Print the "brand" value of the dictionary:
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
print(thisdict["brand"])
Ordered or Unordered?
As of Python version 3.7, dictionaries are ordered. In Python 3.6 and earlier, dictionaries are unordered.
When we say that dictionaries are ordered, it means that the items have a defined order, and that order
will not change.
Unordered means that the items does not have a defined order, you cannot refer to an item by using an
index.
Changeable
Dictionaries are changeable, meaning that we can change, add or remove items after the dictionary has
been created.
Duplicates Not Allowed
Dictionaries cannot have two items with the same key:
Example
Duplicate values will overwrite existing values:
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964,
"year": 2020
}
print(thisdict)
Python - Access Dictionary Items
Accessing Items
You can access the items of a dictionary by referring to its key name, inside square brackets:
Example
Get the value of the "model" key: There is also a method called get() that will give you the
thisdict = { same result:
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang", Example
"year": 1964, Get the value of the "model" key:
"year": 2020 x = thisdict.get("model")
}
x = thisdict["model"]
The list of the keys is a view of the dictionary, The list of the values is a view of the dictionary,
meaning that any changes done to the meaning that any changes done to the dictionary
dictionary will be reflected in the keys list. will be reflected in the values list.
Example Example
Add a new item to the original dictionary, Make a change in the original dictionary, and
and see that the keys list gets updated as see that the values list gets updated as well:
well: car = {
car = { "brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"brand": "Ford",
"year": 1964
"model": "Mustang", }
"year": 1964 x = car.values()
} print(x) #before the change
x = car.keys() car["year"] = 2020
print(x) #before the change print(x) #after the change
car["color"] = "white" Example
print(x) #after the change
Add a new item to the original dictionary, and
see that the values list gets updated as well:
car = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
x = car.values()
print(x) #before the change
car["color"] = "red"
print(x) #after the change
Get Items
The items() method will return each item in a dictionary, as tuples in a list.
Example
Get a list of the key:value pairs
x = thisdict.items()
The returned list is a view of the items of the dictionary, meaning that any changes done to the
dictionary will be reflected in the items list.
Example
Make a change in the original dictionary, and see that the items list gets updated as well:
car = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
x = car.items()
print(x) #before the change
car["year"] = 2020
print(x) #after the change
Example
Add a new item to the original dictionary, and see that the items list gets updated as well:
car = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
x = car.items()
print(x) #before the change
car["color"] = "red"
print(x) #after the change
Update Dictionary
The update() method will update the dictionary with the items from a given argument. If the item does
not exist, the item will be added.
The argument must be a dictionary, or an iterable object with key:value pairs.
Example
Add a color item to the dictionary by using the update() method:
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
thisdict.update({"color": "red"})
Python - Remove Dictionary Items
Removing Items
There are several methods to remove items from a dictionary:
Example
The pop() method removes the item with the specified key name:
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
thisdict.pop("model")
print(thisdict)
Example
The popitem() method removes the last inserted item (in versions before 3.7, a random item is
removed instead):
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
thisdict.popitem()
print(thisdict)
Example
The del keyword removes the item with the specified key name:
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
del thisdict["model"]
print(thisdict)
Example
The del keyword can also delete the dictionary completely:
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
del thisdict
print(thisdict) #this will cause an error because "thisdict" no longer exists.
Example
The clear() method empties the dictionary:
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
thisdict.clear()
print(thisdict)
Python - Loop Dictionaries
Loop Through a Dictionary
You can loop through a dictionary by using a for loop.
When looping through a dictionary, the return value are the keys of the dictionary, but there are methods
to return the values as well.
Example Example
Print all key names in the dictionary, one by one: Print all values in the dictionary, one by one:
for x in thisdict: for x in thisdict:
print(x) print(thisdict[x])
Example
You can also use the values() method to return values of a dictionary:
for x in thisdict.values():
print(x)
Example
You can use the keys() method to return the keys of a dictionary:
for x in thisdict.keys():
print(x)
Example
Loop through both keys and values, by using the items() method:
for x, y in thisdict.items():
print(x, y)
Python - Copy Dictionaries
Copy a Dictionary
You cannot copy a dictionary simply by typing dict2 = dict1, because: dict2 will only be a reference to
dict1, and changes made in dict1 will automatically also be made in dict2.
There are ways to make a copy, one way is to use the built-in Dictionary method copy().
Example
Make a copy of a dictionary with the copy() method:
thisdict = {
"brand": "Ford",
"model": "Mustang",
"year": 1964
}
mydict = thisdict.copy()
print(mydict)
myfamily = {
"child1" : child1,
"child2" : child2,
"child3" : child3
}
Python Dictionary Methods
Dictionary Methods
Python has a set of built-in methods that you can use on dictionaries.
Method Description
items() Returns a list containing a tuple for each key value pair
setdefault() Returns the value of the specified key. If the key does not exist:
insert the key, with the specified value
In this example we use two variables, a and b, which are used as part of the if statement to test
whether b is greater than a. As a is 33, and b is 200, we know that 200 is greater than 33, and so we
print to screen that "b is greater than a".
Indentation
Python relies on indentation (whitespace at the beginning of a line) to define scope in the code. Other
programming languages often use curly-brackets for this purpose.
Example
If statement, without indentation (will raise an error):
a = 33
b = 200
if b > a:
print("b is greater than a") # you will get an error
Elif
The elif keyword is Python's way of saying "if the previous conditions were not true, then try this
condition".
Example
a = 33
b = 33
if b > a:
print("b is greater than a")
elif a == b:
print("a and b are equal")
In this example a is equal to b, so the first condition is not true, but the elif condition is true, so we print
to screen that "a and b are equal".
Else
The else keyword catches anything which isn't caught by the preceding conditions.
Example
a = 200
b = 33
if b > a:
print("b is greater than a")
elif a == b:
print("a and b are equal")
else:
print("a is greater than b")
In this example a is greater than b, so the first condition is not true, also the elif condition is not true, so
we go to the else condition and print to screen that "a is greater than b".
You can also have an else without the elif:
Example
a = 200
b = 33
if b > a:
print("b is greater than a")
else:
print("b is not greater than a")
Short Hand If
If you have only one statement to execute, you can put it on the same line as the if statement.
Example
One line if statement:
if a > b: print("a is greater than b")
Nested If
You can have if statements inside if statements, this is called nested if statements.
Example
x = 41
if x > 10:
print("Above ten,")
if x > 20:
print("and also above 20!")
else:
print("but not above 20.")
The for loop does not require an indexing variable to set beforehand.
Looping Through a String
Even strings are iterable objects, they contain a sequence of characters:
Example
Loop through the letters in the word "banana":
for x in "banana":
print(x)
Example
Exit the loop when x is "banana", but this time the break comes before the print:
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
for x in fruits:
if x == "banana":
break
print(x)
The range() function defaults to increment the sequence by 1, however it is possible to specify the
increment value by adding a third parameter: range(2, 30, 3):
Example
Increment the sequence with 3 (default is 1):
for x in range(2, 30, 3):
print(x)
Note: The else block will NOT be executed if the loop is stopped by a break statement.
Example
Break the loop when x is 3, and see what happens with the else block:
for x in range(6):
if x == 3: break
print(x)
else:
print("Finally finished!")
Nested Loops
A nested loop is a loop inside a loop.
The "inner loop" will be executed one time for each iteration of the "outer loop":
Example
Print each adjective for every fruit:
adj = ["red", "big", "tasty"]
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
for x in adj:
for y in fruits:
print(x, y)
x fruits
print(x)
Python From Scratch
Python Functions & Lambda
Lesson 12 Content
• Python Functions • Python Lambda
• Parameters or Arguments?
• Number of Arguments
• Arbitrary Arguments, *args
• Keyword Arguments
• Arbitrary Keyword Arguments,
**kwargs
• Default Parameter Value
• Passing a List as an Argument
• Return Values
• The pass Statement
• Recursion
• Python - Functions Exercises
Python Functions
A function is a block of code which only runs when it is called.
You can pass data, known as parameters, into a function.
A function can return data as a result.
Creating a Function
In Python a function is defined using the def keyword:
Example
def my_function():
print("Hello from a function")
Calling a Function
To call a function, use the function name followed by parenthesis:
Example
def my_function():
print("Hello from a function")
my_function()
Arguments
Information can be passed into functions as arguments.
Arguments are specified after the function name, inside the parentheses. You can add as many
arguments as you want, just separate them with a comma.
The following example has a function with one argument (fname). When the function is called, we pass
along a first name, which is used inside the function to print the full name:
Example
def my_function(fname):
print(fname + " Refsnes")
my_function("Emil")
my_function("Tobias")
my_function("Linus")
Parameters or Arguments?
The terms parameter and argument can be used for the same thing: information that are passed into a
function.
From a function's perspective:
A parameter is the variable listed inside the parentheses in the function definition.
An argument is the value that is sent to the function when it is called.
Number of Arguments
By default, a function must be called with the correct number of arguments. Meaning that if your
function expects 2 arguments, you have to call the function with 2 arguments, not more, and not less.
Example
This function expects 2 arguments, and gets 2 arguments:
def my_function(fname, lname):
print(fname + " " + lname)
my_function("Emil", "Refsnes")
If you try to call the function with 1 or 3 arguments, you will get an error:
Example
This function expects 2 arguments, but gets only 1:
def my_function(fname, lname):
print(fname + " " + lname)
my_function("Emil")
Keyword Arguments
You can also send arguments with the key = value syntax.
This way the order of the arguments does not matter.
Example
def my_function(child3, child2, child1):
print("The youngest child is " + child3)
The phrase Keyword Arguments are often shortened to kwargs in Python documentations.
Arbitrary Keyword Arguments, **kwargs
If you do not know how many keyword arguments that will be passed into your function, add two
asterisk: ** before the parameter name in the function definition.
This way the function will receive a dictionary of arguments, and can access the items accordingly:
Example
If the number of keyword arguments is unknown, add a double ** before the parameter name:
def my_function(**kid):
print("His last name is " + kid["lname"])
my_function("Sweden")
my_function("India")
my_function()
my_function("Brazil")
Return Values
To let a function return a value, use the return statement:
Example
def my_function(x):
return 5 * x
print(my_function(3))
print(my_function(5))
print(my_function(9))
The pass Statement
function definitions cannot be empty, but if you for some reason have a function definition with no
content, put in the pass statement to avoid getting an error.
Example
def myfunction():
pass
Recursion
Python also accepts function recursion, which means a defined function can call itself.
Recursion is a common mathematical and programming concept. It means that a function calls itself.
This has the benefit of meaning that you can loop through data to reach a result.
The developer should be very careful with recursion as it can be quite easy to slip into writing a
function which never terminates, or one that uses excess amounts of memory or processor power.
However, when written correctly recursion can be a very efficient and mathematically-elegant approach
to programming.
In this example, tri_recursion() is a function that we have defined to call itself ("recurse"). We use
the k variable as the data, which decrements (-1) every time we recurse. The recursion ends when the
condition is not greater than 0 (i.e. when it is 0).
To a new developer it can take some time to work out how exactly this works, best way to find out is by
testing and modifying it.
Example
Recursion Example
def tri_recursion(k):
if(k > 0):
result = k + tri_recursion(k - 1)
print(result)
else:
result = 0
return result
:
print("Hello from a function")
Python Lambda
A lambda function is a small anonymous function.
A lambda function can take any number of arguments, but can only have one expression.
Syntax
lambda arguments : expression
The expression is executed and the result is returned:
Example
Add 10 to argument a, and return the result:
x = lambda a : a + 10
print(x(5))
Example
Summarize argument a, b, and c and return the result:
x = lambda a, b, c : a + b + c
print(x(5, 6, 2))
Use that function definition to make a function that always doubles the number you send in:
Example
def myfunc(n):
return lambda a : a * n
mydoubler = myfunc(2)
print(mydoubler(11))
Or, use the same function definition to make a function that always triples the number you send in:
Example
def myfunc(n):
return lambda a : a * n
mytripler = myfunc(3)
print(mytripler(11))
Or, use the same function definition to make both functions, in the same program:
Example
def myfunc(n):
return lambda a : a * n
mydoubler = myfunc(2)
mytripler = myfunc(3)
print(mydoubler(11))
print(mytripler(11))
Use lambda functions when an anonymous function is required for a short period of time.
x =
Python From Scratch
Python Arrays, Classes and Objects
Lesson 13 Content
• Python Arrays
• Arrays
• What is an Array?
• Access the Elements of an Array
• The Length of an Array
• Looping Array Elements
• Adding Array Elements
• Removing Array Elements
• Python - Array Methods
• Python - Arrays Exercises
• Python Classes/Objects
• Create a Class
• Create Object
• The __init__() Function
• The __str__() Function
• Object Methods
• The self Parameter
• Modify Object Properties
• Delete Object Properties
• Delete Objects
• The pass Statement
• Python - Classes and Objects Exercises
Python Arrays
Note: Python does not have built-in support for Arrays, but Python Lists can be used instead.
Arrays
Note: This page shows you how to use LISTS as ARRAYS, however, to work with arrays in Python
you will have to import a library, like the NumPy library.
Arrays are used to store multiple values in one single variable:
Example
Create an array containing car names:
cars = ["Ford", "Volvo", "BMW"]
What is an Array?
An array is a special variable, which can hold more than one value at a time.
If you have a list of items (a list of car names, for example), storing the cars in single variables could
look like this:
car1 = "Ford"
car2 = "Volvo"
car3 = "BMW"
However, what if you want to loop through the cars and find a specific one? And what if you had not 3
cars, but 300?
The solution is an array!
An array can hold many values under a single name, and you can access the values by referring to an
index number.
Array Methods
Python has a set of built-in methods that you can use on lists/arrays.
Method Description
append() Adds an element at the end of the list
clear() Removes all the elements from the list
copy() Returns a copy of the list
count() Returns the number of elements with the specified value
extend() Add the elements of a list (or any iterable), to the end of the current list
index() Returns the index of the first element with the specified value
insert() Adds an element at the specified position
pop() Removes the element at the specified position
remove() Removes the first item with the specified value
reverse() Reverses the order of the list
sort() Sorts the list
Note: Python does not have built-in support for Arrays, but Python Lists can be used instead.
Python Classes and Objects
Python Classes/Objects
Python is an object oriented programming language.
Almost everything in Python is an object, with its properties and methods.
A Class is like an object constructor, or a "blueprint" for creating objects.
Create a Class
To create a class, use the keyword class:
Example
Create a class named MyClass, with a property named x:
class MyClass:
x = 5
Create Object
Now we can use the class named MyClass to create objects:
Example
Create an object named p1, and print the value of x:
p1 = MyClass()
print(p1.x)
p1 = Person("John", 36)
print(p1.name)
print(p1.age)
Note: The __init__() function is called automatically every time the class is being used to create a new
object.
The __str__() Function
The __str__() function controls what should be returned when the class object is represented as a string.
If the __str__() function is not set, the string representation of the object is returned:
Example
The string representation of an object WITHOUT the __str__() function:
class Person:
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name
self.age = age
p1 = Person("John", 36)
print(p1)
Example
The string representation of an object WITH the __str__() function:
class Person:
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name
self.age = age
def __str__(self):
return f"{self.name}({self.age})"
p1 = Person("John", 36)
print(p1)
Object Methods
Objects can also contain methods. Methods in objects are functions that belong to the object.
Let us create a method in the Person class:
Example
Insert a function that prints a greeting, and execute it on the p1 object:
class Person:
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name
self.age = age
def myfunc(self):
print("Hello my name is " + self.name)
p1 = Person("John", 36)
p1.myfunc()
Note: The self parameter is a reference to the current instance of the class, and is used to access
variables that belong to the class.
The self Parameter
The self parameter is a reference to the current instance of the class, and is used to access variables that
belongs to the class.
It does not have to be named self , you can call it whatever you like, but it has to be the first parameter
of any function in the class:
Example
Use the words mysillyobject and abc instead of self:
class Person:
def __init__(mysillyobject, name, age):
mysillyobject.name = name
mysillyobject.age = age
def myfunc(abc):
print(“Hello my name is “ + abc.name)
p1 = Person(“John”, 36)
p1.myfunc()
• Python Iterators
• Iterator vs Iterable
• Looping Through an Iterator
• Create an Iterator
• StopIteration
Python Inheritance
Python Inheritance
Inheritance allows us to define a class that inherits all the methods and properties from another class.
Parent class is the class being inherited from, also called base class.
Child class is the class that inherits from another class, also called derived class.
def printname(self):
print(self.firstname, self.lastname)
#Use the Person class to create an object, and then execute the printname method:
x = Person("John", "Doe")
x.printname()
Note: Use the pass keyword when you do not want to add any other properties or methods to the class.
Now the Student class has the same properties and methods as the Person class.
Example
Use the Student class to create an object, and then execute the printname method:
x = Student("Mike", "Olsen")
x.printname()
Add the __init__() Function
So far we have created a child class that inherits the properties and methods from its parent.
We want to add the __init__() function to the child class (instead of the pass keyword).
Note: The __init__() function is called automatically every time the class is being used to create a new
object.
Example
Add the __init__() function to the Student class:
class Student(Person):
def __init__(self, fname, lname):
#add properties etc.
When you add the __init__() function, the child class will no longer inherit the parent's __init__() function.
Note: The child's __init__() function overrides the inheritance of the parent's __init__() function.
To keep the inheritance of the parent's __init__() function, add a call to the parent's __init__() function:
Example
class Student(Person):
def __init__(self, fname, lname):
Person.__init__(self, fname, lname)
Now we have successfully added the __init__() function, and kept the inheritance of the parent class,
and we are ready to add functionality in the __init__() function.
By using the super() function, you do not have to use the name of the parent element, it will
automatically inherit the methods and properties from its parent.
Add Properties
Example
Add a property called graduationyear to the Student class:
class Student(Person):
def __init__(self, fname, lname):
super().__init__(fname, lname)
self.graduationyear = 2019
In the example below, the year 2019 should be a variable, and passed into the Student class when
creating student objects. To do so, add another parameter in the __init__() function:
Example
Add a year parameter, and pass the correct year when creating objects:
class Student(Person):
def __init__(self, fname, lname, year):
super().__init__(fname, lname)
self.graduationyear = year
Add Methods
Example
Add a method called welcome to the Student class:
class Student(Person):
def __init__(self, fname, lname, year):
super().__init__(fname, lname)
self.graduationyear = year
def welcome(self):
print("Welcome", self.firstname, self.lastname, "to the class of",
self.graduationyear)
If you add a method in the child class with the same name as a function in the parent class, the
inheritance of the parent method will be overridden.
print(next(myit))
print(next(myit))
print(next(myit))
print(next(myit))
print(next(myit))
print(next(myit))
print(next(myit))
print(next(myit))
print(next(myit))
for x in mytuple:
print(x)
Example
Iterate the characters of a string:
mystr = "banana"
for x in mystr:
print(x)
The for loop actually creates an iterator object and executes the next() method for each loop.
Create an Iterator
To create an object/class as an iterator you have to implement the methods __iter__() and __next__() to
your object.
As you have learned in the Python Classes/Objects chapter, all classes have a function called __init__(),
which allows you to do some initializing when the object is being created.
The __iter__() method acts similar, you can do operations (initializing etc.), but must always return the
iterator object itself.
The __next__() method also allows you to do operations, and must return the next item in the sequence.
Example
Create an iterator that returns numbers, starting with 1, and each sequence will increase by one
(returning 1,2,3,4,5 etc.):
class MyNumbers:
def __iter__(self):
self.a = 1
return self
def __next__(self):
x = self.a
self.a += 1
return x
myclass = MyNumbers()
myiter = iter(myclass)
print(next(myiter))
print(next(myiter))
print(next(myiter))
print(next(myiter))
print(next(myiter))
StopIteration
The example above would continue forever if you had enough next() statements, or if it was used in
a for loop.
To prevent the iteration to go on forever, we can use the StopIteration statement.
In the __next__() method, we can add a terminating condition to raise an error if the iteration is done a
specified number of times:
Example
Stop after 20 iterations:
class MyNumbers:
def __iter__(self):
self.a = 1
return self
def __next__(self):
if self.a <= 20:
x = self.a
self.a += 1
return x
else:
raise StopIteration
myclass = MyNumbers()
myiter = iter(myclass)
for x in myiter:
print(x)
Python From Scratch
Python Scope & Modules & Datetime
Lesson 15 Content
• Python Scope
• Local Scope
• Function Inside Function
• Global Scope
• Naming Variables
• Global Keyword
• Python - Scope Exercises
• Python Scope
• What is a Module?
• Create a Module
• Use a Module
• Variables in Module
• Naming a Module
• Re-naming a Module
• Built-in Modules
• Using the dir() Function
• Import From Module
• Python - Modules Exercises
• Python Dates
• Date Output
• Creating Date Objects
• The strftime() Method
• Python - Datetime Exercises
Python Scope
A variable is only available from inside the region it is created. This is called scope.
Local Scope
A variable created inside a function belongs to the local scope of that function, and can only be used
inside that function.
Example
A variable created inside a function is available inside that function:
def myfunc():
x = 300
print(x)
myfunc()
myfunc()
Global Scope
A variable created in the main body of the Python code is a global variable and belongs to the global
scope.
Global variables are available from within any scope, global and local.
Example
A variable created outside of a function is global and can be used by anyone:
x = 300
def myfunc():
print(x)
myfunc()
print(x)
Naming Variables
If you operate with the same variable name inside and outside of a function, Python will treat them as
two separate variables, one available in the global scope (outside the function) and one available in the
local scope (inside the function):
Example
The function will print the local x, and then the code will print the global x:
x = 300
def myfunc():
x = 200
print(x)
myfunc()
print(x)
Global Keyword
If you need to create a global variable, but are stuck in the local scope, you can use the global keyword.
The global keyword makes the variable global.
Example
If you use the global keyword, the variable belongs to the global scope:
def myfunc():
global x
x = 300
myfunc()
print(x)
Also, use the global keyword if you want to make a change to a global variable inside a function.
Example
To change the value of a global variable inside a function, refer to the variable by using
the global keyword:
x = 300
def myfunc():
global x
x = 200
myfunc()
print(x)
Python Modules
What is a Module?
Consider a module to be the same as a code library.
A file containing a set of functions you want to include in your application.
Create a Module
To create a module just save the code you want in a file with the file extension .py:
Example
Save this code in a file named mymodule.py
def greeting(name):
print("Hello, " + name)
Use a Module
Now we can use the module we just created, by using the import statement:
Example
Import the module named mymodule, and call the greeting function:
import mymodule
mymodule.greeting("Jonathan")
Note: When using a function from a module, use the syntax: module_name.function_name.
Variables in Module
The module can contain functions, as already described, but also variables of all types (arrays,
dictionaries, objects etc):
Example
Save this code in the file mymodule.py
person1 = {
"name": "John",
"age": 36,
"country": "Norway"
}
Example
Import the module named mymodule, and access the person1 dictionary:
import mymodule
a = mymodule.person1["age"]
print(a)
Naming a Module
You can name the module file whatever you like, but it must have the file extension .py
Re-naming a Module Built-in Modules
You can create an alias when you import a There are several built-in modules in Python,
module, by using the as keyword: which you can import whenever you like.
Example Example
Create an alias for mymodule called mx: Import and use the platform module:
import mymodule as mx import platform
a = mx.person1["age"] x = platform.system()
print(a) print(x)
Note: The dir() function can be used on all modules, also the ones you create yourself.
Note: When importing using the from keyword, do not use the module name when referring to
elements in the module. Example: person1["age"], not mymodule.person1["age"]
x = datetime.datetime.now()
print(x)
Date Output
When we execute the code from the example above the result will be:
2023-01-28 13:47:51.369249
The date contains year, month, day, hour, minute, second, and microsecond.
The datetime module has many methods to return information about the date object.
Here are a few examples, you will learn more about them later in this chapter:
Example
Return the year and name of weekday:
import datetime
x = datetime.datetime.now()
print(x.year)
print(x.strftime("%A"))
x = datetime.datetime(2020, 5, 17)
print(x)
The datetime() class also takes parameters for time and timezone (hour, minute, second, microsecond,
tzone), but they are optional, and has a default value of 0, (None for timezone).
The strftime() Method
The datetime object has a method for formatting date objects into readable strings.
The method is called strftime(), and takes one parameter, format, to specify the format of the returned
string:
Example
Display the name of the month:
import datetime
x = datetime.datetime(2018, 6, 1)
print(x.strftime("%B"))
%H Hour 00-23 17
%I Hour 00-12 05
%p AM/PM PM
%M Minute 00-59 41
%S Second 00-59 08
%Z Timezone CST
%j Day number of year 001-366 365
%C Century 20
%% A % character %
• JSON in Python
• Parse JSON - Convert from JSON to Python
• Convert from Python to JSON
• Format the Result
• Order the Result
• Python - JSON Exercises
Python Math
Python has a set of built-in math functions, including an extensive math module, that allows you to
perform mathematical tasks on numbers.
The abs() function returns the absolute (positive) value of the specified number:
Example
x = abs(-7.25)
print(x)
The math.ceil() method rounds a number upwards to its nearest integer, and the math.floor() method
rounds a number downwards to its nearest integer, and returns the result:
Example
import math
x = math.ceil(1.4)
y = math.floor(1.4)
print(x) # returns 2
print(y) # returns 1
JSON in Python
Python has a built-in package called json, which can be used to work with JSON data.
Example
Import the json module:
import json
# some JSON:
x = '{ "name":"John", "age":30, "city":"New York"}'
# parse x:
y = json.loads(x)
Example
Convert Python objects into JSON strings, and print the values:
import json
When you convert from Python to JSON, Python objects are converted into the JSON (JavaScript)
equivalent:
Python JSON
dict Object
list Array
tuple Array
str String
int Number
float Number
True true
False false
None null
Example
Convert a Python object containing all the legal data types:
import json
x = {
"name": "John",
"age": 30,
"married": True,
"divorced": False,
"children": ("Ann","Billy"),
"pets": None,
"cars": [
{"model": "BMW 230", "mpg": 27.5},
{"model": "Ford Edge", "mpg": 24.1}
]
}
print(json.dumps(x))
You can also define the separators, default value is (", ", ": "), which means using a comma and a space
to separate each object, and a colon and a space to separate keys from values:
Example
Use the separators parameter to change the default separator:
json.dumps(x, indent=4, separators=(". ", " = "))
• Python PIP
• What is PIP?
• What is a Package?
• Check if PIP is Installed
• Install PIP
• Download a Package
• Using a Package
• Find Packages
• Remove a Package
• List Packages
Python RegEx
A RegEx, or Regular Expression, is a sequence of characters that forms a search pattern.
RegEx can be used to check if a string contains the specified search pattern.
RegEx Module
Python has a built-in package called re, which can be used to work with Regular Expressions.
Import the re module:
import re
RegEx in Python
When you have imported the re module, you can start using regular expressions:
Example
Search the string to see if it starts with "The" and ends with "Spain":
import re
txt = "The rain in Spain"
x = re.search("^The.*Spain$", txt)
RegEx Functions
The re module offers a set of functions that allows us to search a string for a match:
Function Description
findall Returns a list containing all matches
search Returns a Match object if there is a match anywhere in the string
split Returns a list where the string has been split at each match
sub Replaces one or many matches with a string
Metacharacters
Metacharacters are characters with a special meaning:
Character Description Example
[] A set of characters "[a-m]"
\ Signals a special sequence (can also be used to escape special characters) "\d"
. Any character (except newline character) "he..o"
^ Starts with "^hello"
$ Ends with "planet$"
* Zero or more occurrences "he.*o"
+ One or more occurrences "he.+o"
? Zero or one occurrences "he.?o"
{} Exactly the specified number of occurrences "he.{2}o"
| Either or "falls|stays"
() Capture and group
Special Sequences
A special sequence is a \ followed by one of the characters in the list below, and has a special meaning:
Character Description Example
\A Returns a match if the specified characters are at the beginning of "\AThe"
the string
\b Returns a match where the specified characters are at the beginning r"\bain"
or at the end of a word r"ain\b"
(the "r" in the beginning is making sure that the string is being
treated as a "raw string")
\B Returns a match where the specified characters are present, but r"\Bain"
NOT at the beginning (or at the end) of a word r"ain\B"
(the "r" in the beginning is making sure that the string is being
treated as a "raw string")
\d Returns a match where the string contains digits (numbers from 0- "\d"
9)
\D Returns a match where the string DOES NOT contain digits "\D"
\s Returns a match where the string contains a white space character "\s"
\S Returns a match where the string DOES NOT contain a white space "\S"
character
\w Returns a match where the string contains any word characters "\w"
(characters from a to Z, digits from 0-9, and the underscore _
character)
\W Returns a match where the string DOES NOT contain any word "\W"
characters
\Z Returns a match if the specified characters are at the end of the "Spain\Z"
string
Sets
A set is a set of characters inside a pair of square brackets [] with a special meaning:
Set Description
[arn] Returns a match where one of the specified characters (a, r, or n) is present
[a-n] Returns a match for any lower case character, alphabetically
between a and n
[^arn] Returns a match for any character EXCEPT a, r, and n
[0123] Returns a match where any of the specified digits (0, 1, 2, or 3) are present
[0-9] Returns a match for any digit between 0 and 9
[0-5][0-9] Returns a match for any two-digit numbers from 00 and 59
[a-zA-Z] Returns a match for any character alphabetically between a and z, lower
case OR upper case
[+] In sets, +, *, ., |, (), $,{} has no special meaning, so [+] means: return a
match for any + character in the string
The findall() Function
The findall() function returns a list containing all matches.
Example
Print a list of all matches:
import re
The list contains the matches in the order they are found.
If no matches are found, an empty list is returned:
Example
Return an empty list if no match was found:
import re
You can control the number of occurrences by specifying the maxsplit parameter:
Example
Split the string only at the first occurrence:
import re
You can control the number of replacements by specifying the count parameter:
Example
Replace the first 2 occurrences:
import re
The Match object has properties and methods used to retrieve information about the search, and the
result:
.span() returns a tuple containing the start-, and end positions of the match.
.string returns the string passed into the function
.group() returns the part of the string where there was a match
Example
Print the position (start- and end-position) of the first match occurrence.
The regular expression looks for any words that starts with an upper case "S":
import re
Example
Print the string passed into the function:
import re
Example
Print the part of the string where there was a match.
The regular expression looks for any words that starts with an upper case "S":
import re
Note: If there is no match, the value None will be returned, instead of the Match Object.
Python PIP
What is PIP?
PIP is a package manager for Python packages, or modules if you like.
Note: If you have Python version 3.4 or later, PIP is included by default.
What is a Package?
A package contains all the files you need for a module.
Modules are Python code libraries you can include in your project.
Install PIP
If you do not have PIP installed, you can download and install it from this page: https://pypi.org/project/pip/
Download a Package
Downloading a package is very easy.
Open the command line interface and tell PIP to download the package you want.
Navigate your command line to the location of Python's script directory, and type the following:
Example
Download a package named "camelcase":
C:\Users\Your Name\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python36-32\Scripts>pip install camelcase
Using a Package
Once the package is installed, it is ready to use.
Import the "camelcase" package into your project.
Example
Import and use "camelcase":
import camelcase
c = camelcase.CamelCase()
print(c.hump(txt))
Find Packages
Find more packages at https://pypi.org/.
Remove a Package
Use the uninstall command to remove a package:
Example
Uninstall the package named "camelcase":
C:\Users\Your Name\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python36-32\Scripts>pip uninstall
camelcase
The PIP Package Manager will ask you to confirm that you want to remove the camelcase package:
Uninstalling camelcase-02.1:
Would remove:
c:\users\Your Name\appdata\local\programs\python\python36-32\lib\site-
packages\camecase-0.2-py3.6.egg-info
c:\users\Your Name\appdata\local\programs\python\python36-32\lib\site-
packages\camecase\*
Proceed (y/n)?
List Packages
Use the list command to list all the packages installed on your system:
Example
List installed packages:
C:\Users\Your Name\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python36-32\Scripts>pip list
Result:
Package Version
-----------------------
camelcase 0.2
mysql-connector 2.1.6
pip 18.1
pymongo 3.6.1
setuptools 39.0.1
Python From Scratch
Python Try Except & User Input & String Formatting
Lesson 18 Content
• Python Try Except
• Exception Handling
• Many Exceptions
• Else
• Finally
• Raise an exception
Exception Handling
When an error occurs, or exception as we call it, Python will normally stop and generate an error
message.
These exceptions can be handled using the try statement:
Example
The try block will generate an exception, because x is not defined:
try:
print(x)
except:
print("An exception occurred")
Since the try block raises an error, the except block will be executed.
Without the try block, the program will crash and raise an error:
Example
This statement will raise an error, because x is not defined:
print(x)
Many Exceptions
You can define as many exception blocks as you want, e.g. if you want to execute a special block of
code for a special kind of error:
Example
Print one message if the try block raises a NameError and another for other errors:
try:
print(x)
except NameError:
print("Variable x is not defined")
except:
print("Something else went wrong")
Else
You can use the else keyword to define a block of code to be executed if no errors were raised:
Example
In this example, the try block does not generate any error:
try:
print("Hello")
except:
print("Something went wrong")
else:
print("Nothing went wrong")
Finally
The finally block, if specified, will be executed regardless if the try block raises an error or not.
Example
try:
print(x)
except:
print("Something went wrong")
finally:
print("The 'try except' is finished")
The program can continue, without leaving the file object open.
Raise an exception
As a Python developer you can choose to throw an exception if a condition occurs.
To throw (or raise) an exception, use the raise keyword.
Example
Raise an error and stop the program if x is lower than 0:
x = -1
if x < 0:
raise Exception("Sorry, no numbers below zero")
The following example asks for the username, and when you entered the username, it gets printed on
the screen:
Python 3.6
username = input("Enter username:")
print("Username is: " + username)
Python 2.7
username = raw_input("Enter username:")
print("Username is: " + username)
Python stops executing when it comes to the input() function, and continues when the user has given
some input.
Python String Formatting
To make sure a string will display as expected, we can format the result with the format() method.
String format()
The format() method allows you to format selected parts of a string.
Sometimes there are parts of a text that you do not control, maybe they come from a database, or user
input?
To control such values, add placeholders (curly
brackets {}) in the text, and run the values through You can add parameters inside the curly
the format() method: brackets to specify how to convert the value:
Example Example
Add a placeholder where you want to display the Format the price to be displayed as a
price: number with two decimals:
price = 49 txt = "The price is {:.2f}
txt = "The price is {} dollars" dollars"
print(txt.format(price))
Index Numbers
You can use index numbers (a number inside the curly brackets {0}) to be sure the values are placed in
the correct placeholders: Also, if you want to refer to the same value
Example more than once, use the index number:
quantity = 3
itemno = 567
Example
price = 49 age = 36
myorder = "I want {0} pieces of item name = "John"
number {1} for {2:.2f} dollars." txt = "His name is {1}. {1} is {0}
print(myorder.format(quantity, years old."
itemno, price)) print(txt.format(age, name))
Named Indexes
You can also use named indexes by entering a name inside the curly brackets {carname}, but then you
must use names when you pass the parameter values txt.format(carname = "Ford"):
Example
myorder = "I have a {carname}, it is a {model}."
print(myorder.format(carname = "Ford", model = "Mustang"))