1.
Beginning
Programming

2.
Agenda:
• Learn what Python is and what it is capable of doing.
• Install Python’s IDE for Windows and gain an appreciation of the Python shell.
• Use calculations, variables, strings, lists, if statements, and more.
• Discover Python’s built-in functions and understand modules.
• Create simple programs to build on later.

3.
What is computer programming?
• A set of commands a computer understands – like a recipe.
• Computer programs can help cure diseases; drive cars; create video
games; make animated movies/graphics; build websites and apps; and
much more.
• Basic coding concepts are used by most every program and most every
programmer.
• To learn more visit https://goo.gl/LYxa7V.

4.
What is a programming language?
• A programming language is a set of rules that provides a way of telling
a computer:
• What operations to perform
• Communicating an algorithm
• Receives an input from the user and generates an output.
• A programming language is a system for describing a computation
(math) or algorithms (logic) in a machine-readable and human-
readable form.
• Has words, symbols, and grammatical rules (natural language)
• Grammatical rules = syntax
• Each language has a different set of syntax rules
• Has semantics (meaning)
Slide courtesy of Brian Pichman

5.
Why learn to code?
• Why not?
• Learn the importance of clarity/brevity of expression.
• Be able to think and problem solve more accurately.
• Have a better understanding of how technology works.
• Create a tool that can make life easier and/or fun.

6.
What is Python and what can it do?
• Python was named after Monty Python’s Flying Circus TV show.
• Python is an interpreted high-level programming language for general-
purpose programming.
• Interpreted means that the interpreter (embedded in Idle) can execute
instructions directly without compiling.
• Compiling is a translation from source code to a lower-level language (e.g.,
machine code)
• High-level programming resembles human languages, not machine languages, and
are easier to read and write.
• Python has helped build some famous applications like YouTube,
DropBox, Instagram, BitTorrent, Spotify, Reddit etc.

7.
Python helped build Quora too!
Read more: https://goo.gl/nr8BZk

8.
Raspberry Pi (Python) programming
Blinking LED code at: http://goo.gl/O3yozd

9.
https://www.python.org/downloads
Installing Python
https://docs.python.org/3.6/tutorial/index.html

10.
IDLE - Integrated DeveLopment Environment)
The third line is a print statement (function), which prints the stored name “Hello World.”

11.
Calculations,
variables, strings,
and lists.

12.
Review
Calculations:
20 * 6.789
250 – 45
40 / 8.9
5 + 30 * 20
(5 + 30) * 20
((5+30) * 20) / 10
Variables:
chad = 100
sam = chad
print(sam)
myscore = 1000
message = 'I scored %s
points'
print(message %
myscore)
Lists:
music_list = ['The Beatles', 'Led
Zeppelin' , 'Pink Floyd' , 'Mr.
Bungle']
print(music_list)
print(music_list[3])
music_list.append('The Clash')
>>> print(music_list)

13.
Source: https://goo.gl/JS73o4

14.
myfunc is the name of the function.
myname is the parameter (i.e., a variable
while the function is being used).
‘Chad’ is a string.
This function is defined by the def statement.

15.
Functions
• A function is a piece of code that tells Python to do something. It is a type
of procedure or routine and usually returns a value. Functions are used to
utilize code in more than one place in a program.
• A procedure preforms an operation, but typically doesn’t provide a value.
• Most languages have pre-built or pre-defined functions in its library.
• For instance, the “delete” function means to “remove”. You don’t have to code what
“remove” does; only what to remove.
Defining a function in Python

16.
If statements,
functions,
loops,
modules.

17.
Review
Functions:
range()
list()
Pen
https://docs.pyt
hon.org/3/librar
y/functions.html
Modules:
turtle
https://docs.pytho
n.org/3/py-
modindex.html
If statements:
If age > 20:
== equal to
!= not equal to
>= Greater than or equal to
<= Less than or equal to
Loops:
for x in range(0,5):
print(“Hello
world”)

18.
Creating Simple Programs

19.
A place to “host and review code, manage projects, and
build software alongside millions of other developers.”
Explore …

20.
Play Tic Tac Toe Against AI
Code available at https://github.com/geekcomputers/Python

21.
Flow Chart
Image source: https://goo.gl/mo7NY

22.
Creating Madlibs
variable function string

23.
Some great resources to help you learn to code

24.
Read more at http://goo.gl/Hgy16A

25.
.com
Learn to code interactively, for free.

26.
http://www.oeconsortium.org/

27.
https://www.coursera.org/

28.
https://www.codeavengers.com/

29.
https://www.khanacademy.org

30.
https://teamtreehouse.com/

31.
https://www.codeschool.com/

32.
http://coderdojo.com

33.
http://www.slideshare.net/chadmairn
@cmairn

34.
Contact me!