Intro to Coding (getting started with Python 3)

Anthony Truelove MASc, P.Eng.
github: gears1763-2

This introductory-level course aims to get students started with Python 3, an open source, high level and general purpose programming language that is one of the most popular in the world.

This course will cover getting set up with a Python environment in the OS of your choice (Windows and Linux will be covered), as well as making using of the Python package installer pip in order to leverage the sprawling ecosystem of third party libraries.

Once set up, the basics of using Python will be taught by way of example. In doing so, the student will gain an initial exposure to some of the more commonly applied elements of the Python Standard Library. Finally, once an initial exposure has been completed, the student will begin to experiment with writing their own Python functions. After that, the possibilities are endless!

Ref: https://www.facebook.com/events/1160053508309185/

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License

(C) 2024 - Anthony Truelove MASc, P.Eng.

3-Clause BSD License (see included LICENSE.md)
Ref: https://opensource.org/license/bsd-3-clause/

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Contents

In this course repository, you should find this README.md, a LICENSE.md, and the following sub-directories

• 0_Introduction/ - Provides a course introduction, including defining the goals and approach.

• 1_Setup/ - Provides instructions on how to get set up with a Python interpreter and editor. Also speaks to the intended workflow to be applied throughout the course.

• 2_Hello_World/ - Provides the classical and to-be-expected Hello World introduction to writing and executing your first Python script.

• 3_Variables/ - Provides a treatment of variables (specifically scalars) in Python, including some details on type, casting, and logic.

• 4_Structures/ - Provides a treatment of some of the key data structures (roughly non-scalar variables) available in Python.

• 5_Branching/ - Provides a treament of some of the common branching statements available in Python, which allows script execution to change depending on certain conditions.

• 6_Looping/ - Provides a treatment of some common looping statements available in Python, which allows for implementing repetitive operations using a concise notation.

• 7_Input_Output/ - Provides a treatment of some basic input/output, including keyboard input, file read/write, and data persistence (by way of pickle).

• 8_Functions/ - Provides a (very minimal!) treatment of functions, specifically how to define your own custom functions. This section is pretty bare bones; I want to expand on it (a lot), but don't have time right now!

• 9_Third_Party_Libs/ - Provides a treatment of some popular third party libraries, including how to use pip to install them.

Note that the contents of this course are best viewed in your browser (in fact, directly from within this GitHub repository!). The intent is that all you should need to interact with are the provided Markdown (.md) and Python (.py) files.

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Key Features

• Includes instruction on getting set up with an interpreter, an editor, and a simple, no nonsense workflow. You'll be actually using Python from the very start.

• Teaches by way of immersion, with illustrative examples that focus on the "core" of Python that is used over and over again.

• Content is broken down into a logical sequence of bite-sized lessons, with each including a working example and a consolidation summary.

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Continued Learning

If you have enjoyed this course and would like to continue your Python learning journey, then the Python Essentials 1 and 2 courses (as offered by the Python Institute) are highly recommended. These courses are free, open, online, and entirely self-directed.

Python Essentials 1: https://pythoninstitute.org/python-essentials-1
Python Essentials 2: https://pythoninstitute.org/python-essentials-2