Introduction to Python

Synopsis

This course leads the student from the basics of writing and running Python 3 scripts to more advanced features such as file operations, regular expressions, working with binary data, and using the extensive functionality of  Python modules. Extra emphasis is placed on features unique to Python, such as tuples, array slices, and output formatting.

This is a hands-on programming class. All concepts are reinforced by informal practice during the lecture followed by graduated lab exercises.

Introduction to Python is a practical introduction to a working programming language, not an academic overview of syntax and grammar. Students will immediately be able to use Python to complete tasks in the real world.

Target Audience

This course is appropriate for advanced users, system administrators and web site administrators who want to use Python to support their server installations, as well as anyone else who wants to automate or simplify common tasks with the use of Python scripts.

Prerequisites

Students should already have a working, user-level knowledge of Unix/Linux, Mac, or Windows. While not required, basic skills with at least one other programming language will be helpful.

Course Materials

In addition to the 300 page course manual, students will receive a double-sided Python 3 quick reference.

Lab exercises

Students will write numerous Python scripts to reinforce the major concepts covered in this course. The courses will increase in complexity as more sophisticated techniques are introduced.

Exercises will include all important topics covered in the lecture portion of the class. As with all our courses, the lab exercises at the end of each chapter. Students do not have to wait until the end of the day to try out what they’ve just learned.

Course Outline

1 — An overview of Python

• What is Python?
• Python Timeline
• Advantages/Disadvantages of Python
• Getting help with pydoc

2 — The Python Environment

• Starting Python
• Using the interpreter
• Running a Python script
• Python scripts on Unix/Windows
• Editors and IDEs

3 — Getting Started

• Using variables
• Builtin functions
• Strings
• Numbers
• Converting among types
• Writing to the screen
• Command line parameters

4 — Flow Control

• About flow control
• White space
• Conditional expressions
• Relational and Boolean operators
• While loops
• Alternate loop exits

5 – Array types

•  About array types
• Lists and list methods
• Tuples
• Indexing and slicing
• Iterating through a sequence
• Sequence functions,keywords, and operators
• List comprehensions
• Nested sequences

6 — Working with files

• File overview
• Opening a text file
• Reading a text file
• Writing to a text file
• Screen output without formatting
• Raw (binary) data

7 — Dictionaries and Sets

• About dictionaries
• Creating dictionaries
• Iterating through a dictionary
• About sets
• Creating sets
• Working with sets

8 — Functions

•  About sequences
• Function parameters
• Global variables
• Global scope
• Returning values 

9 — Sorting

• The sorted() function
• Alternate keys
• Lambda functions
• Sorting collections
• Reverse sorting

10 — Errors and Exception Handling

• Syntax errors
• Exceptions
• Using try/catch/else/finally
• Handling multiple exceptions
• Ignoring exceptions

11 — Using Modules

• The import statement
• Module search path
• Creating Modules
• Function and Module aliases
• Using packages

12 — Regular Expressions

• RE syntax overview
• Basic patterns
• RE Objects
• Searching and matching
• Compilation flags
• Grouping
• Replacing text
• Splitting a string

13 — Using the Standard Library

• The sys module
• Launching external programs
• Walking directory trees
• Grabbing web pages
• Sending e-mail
• Paths, directories, and filenames
• Dates and times
• Zipped archives

14 — An Introduction to Python classes

• About o-o programming
• Defining classes
• Constructors
• Instance methods
• Instance data
• Class methods and data
• Destructors

Primary Hardware/Software Requirements

Operating System: Any

Software

• Python  (available from http://www.python.org

• Any good text editor  (PyCharm Community Edition recommended)

Note: detailed setup instructions are provided in a separate document

Audio/Visual

• LCD Projector connected to PC running any version of Windows