CS201: Introduction to Python programming


An introduction to programming basics through the Python language, a powerful yet easy to learn programming language. 

The Python programming language has quickly become one of the most utilized programming languages over the past few years in a variety of fields, including artificial intelligence and data science. Students will be introduced to Python and general programming concepts through a combination of interactive lessons and the creation of multiple game projects that will reinforce the students’ Python knowledge as well as program design fundamentals. 

The first class session will cover software installation, configuration, and introductions.
Tentative Scope:
Getting Started with Python Programming
● Running Code in the Interactive Shell
● Input, Processing, and Output
● Editing, Saving, and Running a Script
● Behind the Scenes: How Python Works
● Detecting and Correcting Syntax Errors
● Data Types
● String Literals
● Escape Sequences
● String Concatenation
● Variables and the Assignment Statement
● Program Comments and Docstrings
● Numeric Data Types and Character Sets
● Integers
● Floating­Point Numbers
● Sets
● Expressions
● Arithmetic Expressions
● Mixed­Mode Arithmetic and Type Conversions
● Using Functions and Modules
● Calling Functions: Arguments and Return Values
● Program Format and Structure
● Running a Script from a Terminal Command Prompt
● Definite Iteration: The for Loop
● Executing a Statement a Given Number of Times
● Count­Controlled Loops
● Augmented Assignment
● Loop Errors: Off­by­One Error
● Traversing the Contents of a Data Sequence
● Specifying the Steps in the Range
● Loops That Count Down
● Selection: if and if­else Statements
● The Boolean Type, Comparisons, and Boolean Expressions
● if­else Statements
● Multi­way if Statements
● Logical Operators and Compound Boolean Expressions
● Short­Circuit Evaluation
● Testing Selection Statements
● Conditional Iteration: The while Loop
● The Structure and Behavior of a while Loop
● Count Control with a while Loop
● The while True Loop and the break Statement
● Random Numbers
● Loop Logic, Errors, and Testing
Python