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Introduction To Python

An Introduction to the basics of Python programming

Uploaded by

Kimani Chambers
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
10 views

Introduction To Python

An Introduction to the basics of Python programming

Uploaded by

Kimani Chambers
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 20

**Chapter 1: Introduction to Python**

Welcome to the world of Python! In this first chapter, we'll explore the basics of Python,
understand why it's a popular choice among developers, and write our first Python code. By the
end of this chapter, you'll be familiar with Python's history, features, and have a basic
understanding of how to work with Python.

**1.1 What is Python?**

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language that is widely used for a variety of
applications. It was created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991. Python is known
for its readability and simplicity, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced
developers alike.

**1.2 Why Python?**

Python has gained immense popularity due to several reasons:

- **Readability**: Python's syntax is clean and easy to understand, making it a great choice for
beginners.
- **Versatility**: Python is used in various domains like web development, data analysis,
machine learning, artificial intelligence, automation, and more.
- **Large Community**: Python has a large, active community that contributes to its growth and
offers support to new learners.
- **Rich Libraries and Frameworks**: Python has a vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks
that can help you accomplish complex tasks with minimal code.

**1.3 Setting Up Python**

Before we start coding, let's set up Python on your computer.

1. **Download Python**: Go to the official Python website (https://www.python.org/downloads/)


and download the latest version of Python.
2. **Install Python**: Follow the installation instructions specific to your operating system. Make
sure to add Python to your system's PATH during installation.
3. **Verify Installation**: Open your command line interface (CLI) and type `python --version` (or
`python -V`). If Python is installed correctly, you should see the installed version number.

**1.4 Writing Our First Python Code**

Now that we have Python set up, let's write our first Python code. We'll start with the classic
"Hello, World!" example.

```python
print("Hello, World!")
```

To run this code, open your CLI, type `python`, and press Enter. This will start the Python
interpreter. Then, type the above code and press Enter. You should see the output: `Hello,
World!`.

Alternatively, you can save the code in a file with a `.py` extension (e.g., `hello.py`) and run the
file using the command `python hello.py` in your CLI.

**1.5 Python Syntax and Comments**

Python uses indentation to define blocks of code, unlike other languages that use braces `{}`.
The standard indentation is 4 spaces.

Comments in Python start with the `#` symbol. They are used to explain what the code does
and are ignored by the Python interpreter.

```python
# This is a comment
print("Hello, World!") # This is an inline comment
```

**1.6 Python Variables and Data Types**

Variables in Python are used to store data values. You don't need to declare the type of a
variable before assigning a value to it, as Python is a dynamically-typed language.

```python
x = 5 # integer
y = 3.14 # float
name = "Python" # string
```

In the next chapters, we'll dive deeper into Python's data types, operators, control structures,
functions, and modules. For now, let's solidify our understanding of the basics with some simple
exercises.

**1.7 Exercises**

1. Write a Python program that prints your name.


2. Write a Python program that prints the sum of two numbers.
3. Write a Python program that converts Fahrenheit to Celsius. The formula is `C = (F - 32) *
5/9`.
Congratulations! You've completed the first chapter of your Python journey. In the next chapter,
we'll explore Python's data types and operators in more detail. Keep practicing, and happy
coding!

**Keywords introduced in this chapter:** Python, syntax, variables, data types, comments, print
function.

**Chapter 2: Python Data Types and Operators**

In the previous chapter, we introduced Python and wrote our first code. In this chapter, we'll dive
deeper into Python's data types and operators, which are fundamental concepts in Python
programming.

**2.1 Python Data Types**

Python has several built-in data types that allow us to store and manipulate data. Here are the
most common ones:

**2.1.1 Numeric Types**

- **Integers (int)**: Whole numbers, both positive and negative. Example: `x = 5`


- **Floating-point numbers (float)**: Numbers with a decimal point. Example: `y = 3.14`
- **Complex numbers (complex)**: Numbers with a real and imaginary part. Example: `z = 2 +
3j`

**2.1.2 Text Sequence Type**

- **Strings (str)**: Sequences of characters enclosed in quotes. Example: `name = "Python"`

**2.1.3 Sequence Types**

- **Lists**: Ordered collections of items enclosed in square brackets. Lists are mutable, meaning
their contents can be changed. Example: `fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]`
- **Tuples**: Ordered collections of items enclosed in parentheses. Tuples are immutable,
meaning their contents cannot be changed. Example: `point = (3, 5)`

**2.1.4 Mapping Type**

- **Dictionaries**: Unordered collections of key-value pairs enclosed in curly braces. Dictionaries


are mutable. Example: `person = {"name": "John", "age": 30}`
**2.1.5 Set Types**

- **Sets**: Unordered collections of unique items enclosed in curly braces. Sets are mutable.
Example: `unique_numbers = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}`

**2.1.6 Boolean Type**

- **Booleans (bool)**: Represent one of two values: `True` or `False`.

**2.2 Type Conversion**

You can convert between different data types using type conversion functions like `int()`,
`float()`, `str()`, `list()`, `tuple()`, `dict()`, `set()`, and `bool()`.

```python
x = int(3.14) # converts 3.14 to 3
y = float(5) # converts 5 to 5.0
z = str(10) # converts 10 to "10"
```

**2.3 Python Operators**

Operators are special symbols that represent computations like addition, multiplication, and
comparison. Here are the most common operators in Python:

**2.3.1 Arithmetic Operators**

| Operator | Name | Example |


|----------|----------------|---------|
| `+` | Addition | `x + y` |
| `-` | Subtraction | `x - y` |
| `*` | Multiplication | `x * y` |
| `/` | Division | `x / y` |
| `%` | Modulus | `x % y` |
| `**` | Exponentiation | `x ** y`|
| `//` | Floor Division | `x // y`|

**2.3.2 Comparison Operators**

| Operator | Name | Example |


|----------|----------------|---------|
| `==` | Equal to | `x == y`|
| `!=` | Not equal to | `x != y`|
| `>` | Greater than | `x > y` |
| `<` | Less than | `x < y` |
| `>=` | Greater than or equal to | `x >= y`|
| `<=` | Less than or equal to | `x <= y`|

**2.3.3 Logical Operators**

| Operator | Name | Example |


|----------|----------------|---------|
| `and` | And | `x and y`|
| `or` | Or | `x or y` |
| `not` | Not | `not x` |

**2.3.4 Assignment Operators**

| Operator | Name | Example |


|----------|----------------|---------|
| `=` | Assign | `x = y` |
| `+=` | Add and assign | `x += y`|
| `-=` | Subtract and assign | `x -= y`|
| `*=` | Multiply and assign | `x *= y`|
| `/=` | Divide and assign | `x /= y`|

**2.4 String Formatting**

String formatting allows us to insert values into strings. Here are a few ways to format strings in
Python:

- Using the `%` operator: `name = "John"; print("Hello, %s!" % name)`


- Using the `format()` method: `name = "John"; print("Hello, {}!".format(name))`
- Using f-strings (Python 3.6 and later): `name = "John"; print(f"Hello, {name}!")`

**2.5 Exercises**

1. Write a Python program that takes two numbers as input and prints their sum, difference,
product, and quotient.
2. Write a Python program that takes a temperature in Celsius as input and converts it to
Fahrenheit. The formula is `F = (C * 9/5) + 32`.
3. Write a Python program that takes a user's name and age as input and prints a greeting
message using string formatting.

Congratulations! You've completed the second chapter of your Python journey. In the next
chapter, we'll explore Python's control structures, which allow us to control the flow of our
programs. Keep practicing, and happy coding!
**Keywords introduced in this chapter:** Data types, operators, type conversion, string
formatting.

**Chapter 3: Python Control Structures**

In the previous chapter, we explored Python's data types and operators. In this chapter, we'll
learn about control structures, which are essential for controlling the flow of your Python
programs. Control structures allow you to make decisions, repeat tasks, and handle exceptions.

**3.1 Conditional Statements**

Conditional statements allow you to execute code based on certain conditions. The most
common conditional statement in Python is the `if` statement.

**3.1.1 The `if` Statement**

The `if` statement checks a condition and executes the code block if the condition is `True`.

```python
x = 10
if x > 5:
print("x is greater than 5")
```

**3.1.2 The `else` Statement**

The `else` statement is used to execute a code block if the `if` condition is `False`.

```python
x=3
if x > 5:
print("x is greater than 5")
else:
print("x is not greater than 5")
```

**3.1.3 The `elif` Statement**

The `elif` statement is used to check multiple conditions. It stands for "else if".

```python
x=7
if x > 10:
print("x is greater than 10")
elif x > 5:
print("x is greater than 5 but less than or equal to 10")
else:
print("x is 5 or less")
```

**3.2 Loops**

Loops allow you to repeat a block of code multiple times. Python has two main types of loops:
`for` loops and `while` loops.

**3.2.1 The `for` Loop**

The `for` loop is used to iterate over a sequence (like a list, tuple, or string).

```python
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
for fruit in fruits:
print(fruit)
```

You can also use the `range()` function to generate a sequence of numbers.

```python
for i in range(5):
print(i)
```

**3.2.2 The `while` Loop**

The `while` loop is used to repeat a block of code as long as a condition is `True`.

```python
i=0
while i < 5:
print(i)
i += 1
```

**3.2.3 Break and Continue Statements**

The `break` statement is used to exit a loop prematurely.


```python
for i in range(10):
if i == 5:
break
print(i)
```

The `continue` statement is used to skip the current iteration and move to the next one.

```python
for i in range(10):
if i == 5:
continue
print(i)
```

**3.3 Exception Handling**

Exception handling allows you to handle errors gracefully and prevent your program from
crashing. In Python, you can use `try`, `except`, `else`, and `finally` blocks for exception
handling.

**3.3.1 The `try` and `except` Blocks**

The `try` block contains the code that might raise an exception, and the `except` block contains
the code that handles the exception.

```python
try:
x = 10 / 0
except ZeroDivisionError:
print("Cannot divide by zero")
```

**3.3.2 The `else` Block**

The `else` block contains the code that should be executed if no exceptions were raised in the
`try` block.

```python
try:
x = 10 / 2
except ZeroDivisionError:
print("Cannot divide by zero")
else:
print("Division successful")
```

**3.3.3 The `finally` Block**

The `finally` block contains the code that should be executed regardless of whether an
exception was raised or not.

```python
try:
x = 10 / 0
except ZeroDivisionError:
print("Cannot divide by zero")
finally:
print("This will always be printed")
```

**3.4 Exercises**

1. Write a Python program that takes a number as input and prints whether it is positive,
negative, or zero.
2. Write a Python program that prints the numbers from 1 to 10 using a `for` loop.
3. Write a Python program that takes a list of numbers as input and prints the sum of the
numbers using a `while` loop.
4. Write a Python program that takes a number as input and prints the factorial of that number
using a `for` loop.
5. Write a Python program that takes two numbers as input and prints the result of dividing the
first number by the second number. Use exception handling to handle the case where the
second number is zero.

Congratulations! You've completed the third chapter of your Python journey. In the next chapter,
we'll explore Python functions, which allow you to organize your code into reusable blocks.
Keep practicing, and happy coding!

**Keywords introduced in this chapter:** Conditional statements, loops, exception handling, `if`,
`else`, `elif`, `for`, `while`, `break`, `continue`, `try`, `except`, `else`, `finally`.

**Chapter 4: Python Functions**


In the previous chapter, we explored Python's control structures. In this chapter, we'll learn
about functions, which are essential for organizing and reusing code. Functions allow you to
encapsulate a block of code that performs a specific task, making your programs more modular
and easier to maintain.

**4.1 Defining Functions**

In Python, you define a function using the `def` keyword, followed by the function name and
parentheses. The code block that makes up the function is indented.

```python
def greet():
print("Hello, World!")
```

You can call the function by using its name followed by parentheses.

```python
greet() # Output: Hello, World!
```

**4.2 Function Parameters**

Functions can take parameters, which are values that you pass to the function when you call it.
Parameters allow you to make your functions more flexible.

```python
def greet(name):
print(f"Hello, {name}!")

greet("Alice") # Output: Hello, Alice!


```

You can also define functions with multiple parameters.

```python
def add(a, b):
return a + b

result = add(3, 5)
print(result) # Output: 8
```

**4.3 Default Parameter Values**


You can specify default values for function parameters. If a value is not provided for a parameter
when the function is called, the default value will be used.

```python
def greet(name="World"):
print(f"Hello, {name}!")

greet() # Output: Hello, World!


greet("Alice") # Output: Hello, Alice!
```

**4.4 Keyword Arguments**

You can pass arguments to a function using the parameter names, which is known as keyword
arguments.

```python
def greet(name, greeting="Hello"):
print(f"{greeting}, {name}!")

greet(name="Alice", greeting="Hi") # Output: Hi, Alice!


```

**4.5 Arbitrary Arguments**

You can define functions that accept an arbitrary number of arguments using `*args` and
`**kwargs`.

- `*args` allows you to pass a variable number of non-keyword arguments.


- `**kwargs` allows you to pass a variable number of keyword arguments.

```python
def sum_numbers(*args):
total = 0
for num in args:
total += num
return total

print(sum_numbers(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)) # Output: 15

def print_info(**kwargs):
for key, value in kwargs.items():
print(f"{key}: {value}")
print_info(name="Alice", age=30, city="New York")
# Output:
# name: Alice
# age: 30
# city: New York
```

**4.6 Return Statement**

The `return` statement is used to exit a function and optionally pass an expression back to the
caller. If no expression is provided, the function returns `None`.

```python
def add(a, b):
return a + b

result = add(3, 5)
print(result) # Output: 8
```

**4.7 Scope of Variables**

Variables defined inside a function have local scope, meaning they are only accessible within
that function. Variables defined outside of any function have global scope and are accessible
from any function.

```python
x = 10 # Global variable

def print_x():
print(x) # Accessing the global variable

print_x() # Output: 10

def modify_x():
x = 20 # Local variable
print(x)

modify_x() # Output: 20
print(x) # Output: 10 (global variable is unchanged)
```

To modify a global variable within a function, you can use the `global` keyword.
```python
x = 10

def modify_x():
global x
x = 20

modify_x()
print(x) # Output: 20
```

**4.8 Lambda Functions**

Lambda functions are small anonymous functions defined using the `lambda` keyword. They
are often used for short, simple functions.

```python
add = lambda a, b: a + b
print(add(3, 5)) # Output: 8
```

**4.9 Exercises**

1. Write a Python function that takes two numbers as input and returns their sum.
2. Write a Python function that takes a list of numbers as input and returns the maximum
number in the list.
3. Write a Python function that takes a string as input and returns the string reversed.
4. Write a Python function that takes a list of numbers as input and returns a new list containing
only the even numbers.
5. Write a Python function that takes a number as input and returns `True` if the number is
prime, and `False` otherwise.

Congratulations! You've completed the fourth chapter of your Python journey. In the next
chapter, we'll explore Python modules and packages, which allow you to organize your code
into reusable components. Keep practicing, and happy coding!

**Keywords introduced in this chapter:** Functions, parameters, default values, keyword


arguments, arbitrary arguments, return statement, scope, lambda functions.
**Chapter 5: Python Modules and Packages**

In the previous chapter, we explored Python functions. In this final chapter, we'll learn about
modules and packages, which are essential for organizing and reusing code across different
files and projects. Modules and packages help keep your codebase clean, maintainable, and
easy to navigate.

**5.1 What are Modules?**

A module in Python is a file containing Python code. This code can define functions, classes,
variables, and other code blocks. Modules allow you to organize your code into separate files,
making it easier to manage and reuse.

**5.2 Importing Modules**

You can import a module using the `import` statement. This allows you to use the functions,
classes, and variables defined in the module.

```python
# math_operations.py
def add(a, b):
return a + b

def subtract(a, b):


return a - b
```

```python
# main.py
import math_operations

result_add = math_operations.add(3, 5)
result_subtract = math_operations.subtract(10, 4)

print(result_add) # Output: 8
print(result_subtract) # Output: 6
```

**5.3 Importing Specific Functions or Variables**

You can import specific functions or variables from a module using the `from` keyword.

```python
# main.py
from math_operations import add, subtract

result_add = add(3, 5)
result_subtract = subtract(10, 4)

print(result_add) # Output: 8
print(result_subtract) # Output: 6
```

**5.4 Importing with Aliases**

You can use aliases to give a module or function a different name when importing it.

```python
# main.py
import math_operations as mo

result_add = mo.add(3, 5)
result_subtract = mo.subtract(10, 4)

print(result_add) # Output: 8
print(result_subtract) # Output: 6
```

**5.5 The `__name__` Variable**

The `__name__` variable is a special built-in variable in Python that evaluates to the name of
the current module. If the module is being run directly, `__name__` is set to `"__main__"`. This
is useful for writing code that should only be executed when the module is run directly, not when
it is imported.

```python
# math_operations.py
def add(a, b):
return a + b

def subtract(a, b):


return a - b

if __name__ == "__main__":
print("This module is being run directly.")
else:
print("This module is being imported.")
```

**5.6 Standard Library Modules**

Python comes with a rich set of standard library modules that provide a wide range of
functionality. Some commonly used standard library modules include `math`, `random`,
`datetime`, `os`, and `sys`.

```python
import math

print(math.sqrt(16)) # Output: 4.0

import random

print(random.randint(1, 10)) # Output: A random integer between 1 and 10

import datetime

print(datetime.datetime.now()) # Output: Current date and time

import os

print(os.getcwd()) # Output: Current working directory

import sys

print(sys.version) # Output: Python version


```

**5.7 What are Packages?**

A package in Python is a namespace that organizes a collection of modules. Packages are


directories that contain a special file called `__init__.py`, which can be empty or contain
initialization code for the package.

**5.8 Creating a Package**

To create a package, create a directory with the package name and add an `__init__.py` file
inside it. You can then add modules to the package.

```
my_package/
__init__.py
module1.py
module2.py
```

**5.9 Importing Modules from a Package**

You can import modules from a package using the dot notation.

```python
# my_package/module1.py
def greet():
print("Hello from module1!")

# my_package/module2.py
def farewell():
print("Goodbye from module2!")
```

```python
# main.py
from my_package import module1, module2

module1.greet() # Output: Hello from module1!


module2.farewell() # Output: Goodbye from module2!
```

**5.10 Exercises**

1. Create a Python module called `string_utils.py` that contains functions to reverse a string,
check if a string is a palindrome, and count the number of vowels in a string.
2. Create a Python package called `math_utils` that contains two modules:
`basic_operations.py` and `advanced_operations.py`. The `basic_operations.py` module should
contain functions for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The
`advanced_operations.py` module should contain functions for calculating the factorial of a
number and checking if a number is prime.
3. Write a Python program that imports the `string_utils` module and uses its functions to
manipulate strings.
4. Write a Python program that imports the `math_utils` package and uses its functions to
perform various mathematical operations.

Congratulations! You've completed the fifth and final chapter of your Python journey. You've
learned the basics of Python, including data types, operators, control structures, functions, and
modules. Keep practicing, exploring, and building projects to solidify your understanding and
become a proficient Python programmer. Happy coding!
**Keywords introduced in this chapter:** Modules, packages, import, `__name__`, standard
library, `__init__.py`.

**Wrapping Up Your Python Journey**

Congratulations on completing this introductory journey through Python! Over the course of
these five chapters, you've gained a solid foundation in Python programming. Let's briefly recap
what you've learned and discuss some next steps to continue your learning journey.

**Recap of Key Concepts**

1. **Chapter 1: Introduction to Python**


- Understood what Python is and why it's popular.
- Set up Python on your computer.
- Wrote your first Python code.

2. **Chapter 2: Python Data Types and Operators**


- Explored various data types in Python, including numeric types, strings, lists, tuples,
dictionaries, sets, and booleans.
- Learned about type conversion and string formatting.
- Understood different types of operators, including arithmetic, comparison, logical, and
assignment operators.

3. **Chapter 3: Python Control Structures**


- Learned about conditional statements (`if`, `else`, `elif`).
- Explored loops (`for`, `while`) and how to use `break` and `continue` statements.
- Understood exception handling with `try`, `except`, `else`, and `finally` blocks.

4. **Chapter 4: Python Functions**


- Defined and called functions.
- Learned about function parameters, default values, keyword arguments, and arbitrary
arguments.
- Understood the `return` statement and variable scope.
- Explored lambda functions.

5. **Chapter 5: Python Modules and Packages**


- Learned about modules and how to import them.
- Understood the `__name__` variable.
- Explored standard library modules.
- Learned about packages and how to create and use them.
**Next Steps**

Now that you have a solid foundation in Python, here are some next steps to continue your
learning journey:

1. **Build Projects**: Apply what you've learned by building projects. Start with simple projects
like a to-do list, a basic calculator, or a simple game. Gradually take on more complex projects
as your skills improve.

2. **Learn Advanced Topics**: Dive into more advanced topics such as:
- **Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)**: Learn about classes, objects, inheritance, and
polymorphism.
- **File I/O**: Learn how to read from and write to files.
- **Regular Expressions**: Learn how to work with text patterns.
- **Web Development**: Explore web frameworks like Flask and Django.
- **Data Analysis**: Learn libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib for data analysis and
visualization.
- **Machine Learning**: Explore libraries like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch for
machine learning.

3. **Join the Community**: Engage with the Python community. Participate in forums, join
coding groups, and attend meetups or conferences. The Python community is very supportive
and can be a great resource for learning and networking.

4. **Contribute to Open Source**: Contribute to open-source projects on platforms like GitHub.


This is a great way to gain real-world experience and give back to the community.

5. **Keep Practicing**: Consistency is key. Make a habit of coding regularly, even if it's just for a
few minutes each day. The more you practice, the more proficient you'll become.

6. **Stay Updated**: Python and its ecosystem are constantly evolving. Stay updated with the
latest developments by following Python blogs, newsletters, and podcasts.

**Resources**

Here are some resources to help you continue your learning journey:

- **Official Python Documentation**: [docs.python.org](https://docs.python.org/)


- **Python Tutorials**: [realpython.com](https://realpython.com/),
[w3schools.com](https://www.w3schools.com/python/)
- **Online Courses**: [Coursera](https://www.coursera.org/), [edX](https://www.edx.org/),
[Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/)
- **Books**: "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python" by Al Sweigart, "Python Crash Course" by
Eric Matthes
- **Communities**: [Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/),
[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/), [Python
Discord](https://www.pythondiscord.com/)

**Final Thoughts**

Learning Python is a rewarding journey that opens up many opportunities in various fields.
Whether you're interested in web development, data analysis, machine learning, automation, or
any other domain, Python has something to offer. Keep exploring, keep learning, and most
importantly, keep coding!

Happy coding, and best of luck on your Python journey!

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