Intro to Python

Programs and Statements

1. Define the following terms:
   • program
   • statement

2. State the order of operations used by Python for evaluating arithmetic operators.

3. Parse a Python statement involving arithmetic using the correct order of operations.

4. Explain what it means to read a mathematical statement “from the inside out”.

Variables and Comments

1. Define the following terms:
   • variable (in programming)
   • comment
   • magic constant

2. Identify the comment character used in Python.

3. Use comments appropriately to explain code and define variables.

4. Explain:
   • why magic constants are an anti-pattern and
   • what you should use instead.

5. Use comments to give the units of a variable (where appropriate).

Numbers and Data Types

1. Compare and contrast mathematical types of numbers and computer types of numbers.

2. State the 3 types of numbers native to Python.

3. Use type() to determine the type of a variable.

Functions and Packages

1. Define the following terms, all in the context of programming:
   • function
   • argument / parameter
   • return value
   • package

2. Distinguish between defining a function and calling a function.

3. State the syntax for calling a function in Python.

4. Import a Python package using import.

5. Import particular function from a Python package using from * import *.

6. Access a function from an imported package.

Lines, Indentation, and Other White Space

1. Define the following terms:
   • whitespace
   • code block

2. Compare and contrast how Python uses whitespace at the beginning of a line versus in the body of a line.

3. Use appropriate coding style with whitespace to make code legible.

4. Explain how Python uses indentation to distinguish blocks of code.

5. Use 4 spaces to denote a given level of indentation in blocks of code.