Python Programming Basics

A Beginner's Study Guide

Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Python
2. Installing Python
3. Writing Your First Program
4. Variables and Data Types
5. User Input and Output
6. Operators
7. Conditional Statements
8. Loops
9. Functions
10. Lists, Tuples, Dictionaries, and Sets
11. Strings
12. File Handling
13. Exception Handling
14. Simple Practice Programs
15. Best Practices
16. Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction to Python

Python is a popular, high-level programming language known for its readability and simplicity. It was
created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991. Today, Python is used in many industries because it
supports rapid development and has a large collection of libraries.

Common Applications

• Web Development
• Automation
• Data Analysis
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Scientific Computing
• Desktop Applications
• Game Development

Advantages

• Easy to learn

1
 • Free and open source
• Cross-platform
• Large community support
• Rich library ecosystem

Chapter 2: Installing Python

Download Python from the official Python website.

After installation, verify it by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing:

python --version

or

python3 --version

If Python is installed correctly, the version number will be displayed.

Chapter 3: Writing Your First Program

Every beginner starts with the classic "Hello, World!" program.

print("Hello, World!")

Output:

Hello, World!

The print() function displays text or values on the screen.

Chapter 4: Variables and Data Types

Variables store information that can be used later in a program.

Example:

2
 name = "Alice"
age = 21
height = 5.7
student = True

Python automatically determines the variable type.

Common Data Types

• Integer ( int )
• Floating-point ( float )
• String ( str )
• Boolean ( bool )

Example:

marks = 95
temperature = 36.5
city = "Pune"
passed = True

Chapter 5: User Input and Output

Input allows users to enter information.

name = input("Enter your name: ")

print("Welcome", name)

Reading integers:

age = int(input("Enter age: "))

Reading decimal values:

salary = float(input("Enter salary: "))

3
Chapter 6: Operators
Arithmetic Operators

+
-
*
/
%
**
//

Example:

a = 15
b = 4

print(a + b)
print(a - b)
print(a * b)
print(a / b)
print(a % b)

Comparison Operators

==
!=
>
<
>=
<=

Example:

print(10 > 5)

Output:

True

4
Logical Operators
• and
• or
• not

Example:

age = 20

if age > 18 and age < 60:

print("Eligible")

Chapter 7: Conditional Statements

Decision making is performed using if , elif , and else .

Example:

marks = 72

if marks >= 75:

print("Distinction")
elif marks >= 60:
print("First Class")
elif marks >= 35:
print("Pass")
else:
print("Fail")

Nested condition example:

age = 25

if age >= 18:

if age >= 21:
print("Adult")

5
Chapter 8: Loops
For Loop

for i in range(1,6):
print(i)

Output:

1
2
3
4
5

Loop through a list:

colors = ["Red","Blue","Green"]

for color in colors:

print(color)

While Loop

count = 1

while count <= 5:

print(count)
count += 1

break Statement

for i in range(10):
if i == 6:
break
print(i)

6
continue Statement

for i in range(6):
if i == 3:
continue
print(i)

Chapter 9: Functions
Functions organize reusable code.

Example:

def greet():
print("Welcome to Python")

greet()

Function with parameters:

def square(number):
return number * number

print(square(8))

Chapter 10: Collections

Lists

numbers = [10,20,30,40]

Useful methods:

[Link](50)
[Link](20)

7
Tuples

days = ("Mon","Tue","Wed")

Tuples cannot be modified after creation.

Dictionaries

student = {
"name":"Riya",
"age":20
}

print(student["name"])

Sets

languages = {"Python","Java","C++"}

Sets automatically remove duplicate values.

Chapter 11: Strings

Strings store text.

language = "Python"

Useful operations:

print([Link]())
print([Link]())
print(len(language))

String slicing:

text = "Programming"

8
 print(text[:5])
print(text[-3:])

Chapter 12: File Handling

Writing to a file:

file = open("[Link]","w")
[Link]("Learning Python")
[Link]()

Reading a file:

file = open("[Link]","r")
print([Link]())
[Link]()

Using a context manager:

with open("[Link]","r") as file:

print([Link]())

Chapter 13: Exception Handling

Exceptions prevent programs from crashing unexpectedly.

Example:

try:
number = int(input("Enter a number: "))
print(100 / number)

except ZeroDivisionError:
print("Cannot divide by zero.")

9
 except ValueError:
print("Invalid input.")

Chapter 14: Practice Programs

Program 1: Even or Odd

num = int(input("Enter a number: "))

if num % 2 == 0:
print("Even")
else:
print("Odd")

Program 2: Largest of Two Numbers

a = int(input())
b = int(input())

if a > b:
print(a)
else:
print(b)

Program 3: Multiplication Table

num = 7

for i in range(1,11):
print(num, "x", i, "=", num*i)

Program 4: Sum of Numbers

total = 0

for i in range(1,101):
total += i

print(total)

10
Program 5: Factorial

number = 5
fact = 1

for i in range(1, number+1):

fact *= i

print(fact)

Chapter 15: Best Practices

• Use meaningful variable names.
• Keep functions short and focused.
• Add comments where necessary.
• Follow consistent indentation.
• Avoid repeating code.
• Test your programs with different inputs.
• Handle errors gracefully.

Chapter 16: Summary

Python is an excellent programming language for beginners because it emphasizes readable syntax and
practical problem solving. Learning variables, operators, conditions, loops, functions, collections, file
handling, and exception handling provides a strong foundation for more advanced topics such as object-
oriented programming, web development, automation, data science, and machine learning.

Regular practice is the most effective way to improve Python programming skills. Start with simple
programs, gradually solve more challenging problems, and build small projects to reinforce your
understanding.

11