Python - Introduction |
OverviewThis 3-day course introduces the student to the Python language. Upon completion of this class, the student will be able to write non trivial Python programs dealing with a wide variety of subject matter domains. Topics include language components, working with a professional IDE, control flow constructs, strings, I/O, collections, classes, modules, and regular expressions. The course is supplemented with many hands-on labs, solutions, and code examples. Audience Anyone who needs to learn how to write programs in Python or wants solid exposure to Python as their first programming language. Prerequisites Optimally, students will have experience with at least one programming or scripting language e.g., C, C++, Java, etc. This being said, students with a technical inclination with experience developing projects like spreadsheets, SPSS scripts, Bash scripts, or macros are welcome to join. Python is a great first language--it is very approachable and easy to learn. Course Outline 1. An Introduction to Python A Brief History of Python Python Versions Installing Python Environment Variables Executing Python from the Command Line IDLE Editing Python Files Python Documentation Getting Help Dynamic Types Python Reserved Words Naming Conventions 2. Basic Python Syntax Basic Syntax Comments String Values String Methods The format Method String Operators Numeric Data Types Conversion Functions Simple Input and Output The % Method The print Function 3. Language Components Indenting Requirements The if Statement Relational Operators Logical Operators Bit Wise Operators The while Loop break and continue The for Loop 4. Collections Lists Tuples Sets Dictionaries Sorting Dictionaries Copying Collections 5. Functions Defining Your Own Functions Parameters Function Documentation Keyword and Optional Parameters Passing Collections to a Function Variable Number of Arguments Scope Functions - "First Class Citizens" Passing Functions to a Function Mapping Functions in a Dictionary Lambda Inner Functions Closures 6. Modules Modules Standard Modules - sys Standard Modules - math Standard Modules - time The dir Function 7. Exceptions Errors Run Time Errors The Exception Model Exception Hierarchy Handling Multiple Exceptions raise assert Writing Your Own Exception Classes 8. Input and Output Data Streams Creating Your Own Data Streams Access Modes Writing Data to a File Reading Data From a File Additional File Methods Using Pipes as Data Streams Handling IO Exceptions Working with Directories Metadata The pickle Module 9. Classes in Python Classes in Python Principles of Object Orientation Creating Classes Instance Methods File Organization Special Methods Class Variables Inheritance Polymorphism Type Identification Custom Exception Classes 10. Regular Expressions Simple Character Matches Special Characters Character Classes Quantifiers The Dot Character Greedy Matches Grouping Matching at Beginning or End Match Objects Substituting Splitting a String Compiling Regular Expressions Flags |
