Introduction to Python
Introduction to Python
Introduction to Python
Topics to be covered:
Overview of Programming Language
What is Pseudocode
Pseudocode Implementatio
Introduction to Pytho
A programming language is a formal language for creating instructions for a computer to follow. It is a set
of rules and symbols that define the process of writing a computer programme. Software programmes,
websites, and embedded devices are all developed using programming languages
To learn a programming language, you need to understand the basics of syntax, data types, variables,
operators, and control structures. You should also learn how to use functions and modules to organize your
code. Once you have a good understanding of the basics, you can start to learn about more advanced
topics, such as object-oriented programming and design patterns.
A programming language is like a set of special rules and symbols that you use to give instructions to a
computer.
Example: Think of it like a recipe. Just like you follow a recipe to cook your favorite dish, a computer
You can use a programming language to create different things, such as:
Websites
Example: Imagine you want to build a robot. You can use a programming language to tell the robot
Syntax: How to write the instructions in a way the computer understands. It's like following grammar rules in
a language
Data types: A data type is a classification that specifies which type of value a variable can hold in computer
programming i.e. Different kinds of information, like numbers, text, and more
Variables: A variable is a fundamental concept in computer programming and mathematics, which holds
information. For example, a variable as a box that can store numbers, words, or other stuff
Operators: Operators are symbols or special keywords in programming that perform operations on data or
variables or special symbols to do things like math or comparisons
Control Structures: Control structures are fundamental elements in computer programming that determine
the flow of a program, to make decisions and repeat actions in your program(if, else, for, while loops)
Functions and modules: A function is a self-contained and reusable block of code that performs a specific
task or set of tasks. Modules are collections of related functions, variables, and other code elements that are
bundled together for a specific purpose.
Example: Learning a programming language is a bit like learning a new sport. You start with the basic rules, like
how to hold the ball and move your body. Then, you learn more advanced techniques, like strategies and
teamwork.
There are many different programming languages, each with its own strengths and
weaknesses. Some of the most popular programming languages include:
Python: A general-purpose language noted for its ease of use and readability. It is frequently used in web
development, data science, and machine learning.
Java: A general-purpose programming language noted for its portability and security. It is frequently used in
the creation of corporate applications and mobile apps.
C/C++: High-performance programming languages that are often used in operating systems, gaming, and
embedded devices.
JavaScript: A programming language designed to add interactivity to web pages and to create online apps.
Go: A more recent language that is gaining popularity due to its ease of use and concurrency capabilities.
General-purpose languages: These languages can be used to develop a wide variety of software
applications. Examples include Python, Java, and C++
Special-purpose languages: These languages are designed for specific tasks, such as web development,
data science, or game development. Examples include JavaScript, R, and Unityscript
Scripting languages: These languages are used to automate tasks and to add interactivity to web pages.
Examples include JavaScript, Python, and Bash
Compiled languages: These languages are converted into machine code before they can be executed by
a computer. Examples include Java, C++, and Go
Interpreted languages: These languages are executed directly by the computer, without being converted
into machine code first. Examples include Python, JavaScript, and PHP.
Learning a programming language might be difficult, but it can also be quite rewarding. Programming is a
highly sought-after ability that may lead to a variety of career options. If you want to learn to code, there are
several resources accessible to assist you.
Python is a popular programming language known for its simplicity and readability. When
comparing Python to other programming languages, there are several factors to consider:
2.1. Ease of Learning: Python is frequently suggested for beginners because of its simple syntax. Other
languages, such as C++ or Java, may have more difficult learning curves.
2.2. Versatility: Python is a flexible programming language that is utilized in a variety of disciplines such as web
development, data analysis, machine learning, and scientific computing. It is not confined to a particular
application.
2.3. Readability: Python's code is simple to understand and maintain, making it ideal for collaborative projects.
2.4. Large Standard Library: Python has a comprehensive standard library that simplifies typical programming
tasks and eliminates the need to develop code from scratch.
2.5. Community and Ecosystem: Python has a huge and active community, which means there is plenty of
help, libraries, and frameworks accessible. This is true for other popular languages as well, but Python's
environment is especially robust.
2.7. Scripting Language: Python is frequently used for scripting activities and automation due to its ease of use
and rapid development capabilities.
2.8. Integration: Python can be easily integrated with other languages like C and C++ for performance-critical
parts of an application.
2.9. Performance: Python is an interpreted language, which can make it slower than compiled languages like
C++ in certain situations. However, Python's performance has been improving with the development of JIT
(Just-In-Time) compilers like PyPy and libraries like NumPy and Cython for numeric computations.
2.10. Use Cases: Python is a great choice for web development (Django, Flask), data analysis (Pandas, NumPy),
and machine learning (TensorFlow, PyTorch). For systems programming, C and Rust are more common. For
mobile app development, languages like Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android) are preferred.
2.11. Concurrency and Parallelism: Python's Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) can limit its ability to fully utilize multi-
core processors for parallel processing. Languages like Go or Rust provide better support for concurrency.
2.12. Security: Python's simplicity and readability can be advantageous for writing secure code. However,
security depends more on the developer's practices and awareness.
2.13. Job Opportunities: Python has a strong job market, particularly in data science, web development, and
machine learning. The demand for other languages may vary depending on the region and industry.
2.14. Legacy Systems: Some older systems and software rely on languages like COBOL or Fortran, so Python
may not be a suitable choice for maintaining or integrating with such systems.
In conclusion, Python is a versatile and beginner-friendly language that excels in many areas, particularly data
science and web development. However, the choice of a programming language should be based on the
specific needs and goals of your project or application. Different languages have their own strengths and
weaknesses, and the best choice depends on the context and requirements.
It is a way of writing programs in which you represent the sequence of actions and instructions (aka
algorithms) in a form that humans can easily understand
Pseudocode, as the name suggests, is a false code or a representation of code which can be understood by
even a layman with some school level programming knowledge.
BEGIN
INPUT num1
INPUT num2
ELSE
END
Example 2:
BEGIN
PI = 22/7
INPUT radius
area = PI*radius*radius
END
Start reading lots of open source code and try to make contributions to open source code.
It's a good programming practice to read code written by others, it will help you in understanding different
approaches for the same problem.
It is always a good practice to write down the logic of the code on pen and paper, It will help you build strong
logic for your programs.
Whenever you find something new just code it out, that's the best way to learn programming.
Be consistent:
Daily Assign some amount of time apart from your regular for just programming. This will keep you up-to-date.
If you have problems early on while learning it's good because it will lay a solid foundation for programming.
6. Introduction to Python:
Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics
It has the following features that makes it very attractive for Rapid Application Development, as well as for
use as a scripting or glue language to connect existing components together:
Dynamic typing
Dynamic bindin
Python's simple, easy to learn syntax emphasizes on code readability with the use of whitespaces and
therefore reduces the cost of program maintenance
Python supports modules and packages, which encourages program modularity and code reuse
The Python interpreter and the extensive standard library are available in source or binary form without
charge for all major platforms, and can be freely distributed
Python is a great general-purpose programming language on its own, but with the help of a few popular
libraries (numpy, scipy, matplotlib) it becomes a powerful environment for scientific computing.
Following are the some of the reasons why people select python:
Productivity of Developers: The same program which is written in other high-level languages like c++ or
java can be written in one-third or one-fifth line of code. That means debugging can be easy and it will be
less prone to error which in turn increases the productivity of the developers
Portability: Mostly it’s platform-independent. It can run on any platform or OS with minor or no change at all
which makes it a highly portable language. Now you can use Micro Python to interact with hardware as well.
It can be used on most of the edge devices
Supporting Libraries: Python already has a lot of inbuilt libraries that come with the standard python
package which you download from its official site. With these libraries, you can build lots of basic
applications or day to day automation tasks like copying data in bulk from one place to another. Apart from
this, there’s a huge list of third-party libraries like Numpy, Matplotlib, Scikit Learn, etc
Fun to use: Its simplicity and availability of lots of supporting libraries plus huge open source community
support make development in python a breeze. That’s why its widely preferred by hobbyists as well.