🐍 Getting Started with Python – Full
Explanation
1. What is Python?
A program is a set of instructions for the computer.
Computers understand machine language (0s and 1s), but it’s too hard for humans.
High-level languages (like Python, C++, Java) are easier for humans to write.
Python uses an interpreter → executes line by line.
👉 Advantage: easy debugging, but slower than compiled languages.
👉 Compiler: translates whole program at once (faster but errors shown later).
2. Features of Python
High-level → easy to read/write.
Free & open source → no cost, community support.
Interpreted → executes line by line.
Simple syntax → looks like English, uses indentation.
Case-sensitive → Number ≠ number.
Portable → runs on Windows, Mac, Linux.
Rich library → supports math, data, web, AI, etc.
Used in web apps, AI, ML, data science, automation.
3. Python Execution Modes
a) Interactive Mode
Works like a calculator.
Type commands at >>> prompt → result shown immediately.
Good for testing small code.
Example:
>>> 2+3
5
b) Script Mode
Write code in .py file.
Save and run the program.
Good for long programs.
4. Keywords & Identifiers
Keywords = reserved words with special meaning (if, else, while, True, False,
return, break).
Cannot be used as variable names.
Identifiers = names given to variables/functions.
o Must start with a letter or _.
o Can contain letters, digits, _.
o Cannot start with a digit.
o No special symbols like @, #, $.
o Should be meaningful (e.g., marks1, not m1).
✅ Example:
marks1 = 50
marks2 = 60
avg = (marks1+marks2)/2
5. Variables & Comments
Variable = name that stores data in memory.
No need to declare type (Python decides automatically).
Example:
x = 10 # integer
y = "Hello" # string
Comments = notes in code, ignored by interpreter.
o Start with #.
o Used for documentation.
# This program adds two numbers
a = 5
b = 10
print(a+b) # prints 15
6. Data Types in Python
Python treats everything as an object.
a) Numbers
int → whole numbers (e.g., 10, -3).
float → decimal numbers (e.g., 3.14, -2.5).
complex → numbers with j (e.g., 3+4j).
bool → True, False.
b) Sequence Types
String: collection of characters in quotes. "Hello", 'Python'.
List: ordered, mutable. [1,2,3,"hi"].
Tuple: ordered, immutable. (1,2,3,"hi").
c) Set
Unordered, no duplicates. {1,2,3}.
d) Dictionary
Key–value pairs.
student = {"name":"Ali", "age":18}
e) None
Special type for "no value".
f) Mutable vs Immutable
Mutable: can be changed (list, set, dict).
Immutable: cannot be changed (int, float, string, tuple).
7. Operators in Python
Operators work on operands (values/variables).
Arithmetic: + - * / % // **.
Relational (comparison): == != > < >= <=.
Assignment: = += -= *= /=.
Logical: and or not.
Identity: is, is not (check same memory object).
Membership: in, not in.
Precedence (priority) of operators
() → ** → * / % // → + - → comparison → logical → assignment.
8. Expressions & Statements
Expression = combination of values, variables, operators (evaluates to value).
Example: 3+4*2 → 11.
Statement = full instruction.
Example:
x = 5 # assignment statement
print(x) # print statement
9. Input & Output
Input: input("message") → always takes input as string.
name = input("Enter name: ")
age = int(input("Enter age: ")) # type cast to int
Output: print()
o sep → separator (default = space).
o end → ending (default = new line).
print("Hello", "World", sep="-", end="!")
# Output: Hello-World!
10. Type Conversion
Explicit (Type Casting)
Done manually with functions: int(), float(), str(), chr(), ord().
x = "10"
y = int(x) # convert string to integer
Implicit (Type Coercion)
Done automatically by Python (no data loss).
x = 10 # int
y = 2.5 # float
z = x + y # int + float → float
print(z) # 12.5
11. Debugging (Finding Errors)
Three types of errors in Python:
Syntax Error: violates Python rules.
Example: print "Hello" ❌ (missing parentheses).
Logical Error: program runs but gives wrong output.
Example: avg = a+b/2 instead of (a+b)/2.
Runtime Error: occurs while program runs.
Example: divide by zero.