ICS 104 - Introduction to Programming in Python and C
Introduction (Chapter 1: Sections 1-6)
Learning Outcomes
Learn about computers and programming
Write and run your first Python program
Recognize compile-time and run-time errors
Computer Programs
The computer is a machine that stores data (numbers, words, pictures), interacts with devices (the monitor, the sound system, the
printer, the scanner), and executes programs.
A computer program tells a computer, in minute detail, the sequence of steps that are needed to fulfill a task.
The act of designing and implementing computer programs is called programming.
The physical computer and peripheral devices are collectively called the hardware.
The programs the computer executes are called the software.
The Anatomy of a Computer
The Computer Hardware consists of the physical elements in a computer system.
The central processing unit (CPU) performs program control and data processing
Storage devices include
Primary memory: Consists of memory chips (electronic circuits that can store data as long as it is provided electric power).
Fast and more expensive.
e.g., RAM and ROM
Secondary storage: Provides slower, less expensive storage that is persistent (without electric power)
e.g., Hard disks, flash drives, CD/DVD drives.
Computers store both data and programs
Both are located in secondary storage and are loaded into primary storage when programs are executed.
Input/output devices allow the user to interact with the computer
Mouse, keyboard, printer, screen
The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU has two components, the control unit and the arithmetic logic unit
The control unit directs operation of the processor.
Computer resources are managed by the control unit.
Controls communication and co-ordination between input/output devices.
Reads and interprets instructions and determines the sequence for processing the data.
Provides timing and control signals
The arithmetic logic unit contains the circuitry to perform calculations and do comparisons.
It is the workhorse portion of the computer and its job is to do precisely what the control unit tells it to do.
Program instructions and data (such as text, numbers, audio, or video) are stored on the hard disk, on a compact disk (or DVD), or
elsewhere on the network.
When a program starts, it is brought into memory, where the CPU can read it.
one instruction at a time.
The CPU reads, modifies and writes data back to memory or the hard disk.
Some program instructions will cause the CPU to place dots on the display screen or printer or to vibrate the speaker.
Some program instructions read user input from the keyboard or mouse.
The program analyzes the nature of these inputs and then executes the next appropriate instruction.
The Python Programming Language
High-level programming languages specify a large number of simple CPU instructions with much fewer understandable statements.
Specifying CPU instructions can be tedious and error-prone.
One very popular high level language is Python.
Developed by Guido van Rossum in the early 1990s.
Wanted a language suitable for writing smaller programs that may not run at optimum speed.
As opposed to other languages like Java or C.
Some reasons for Python's succsess:
Simpler and cleaner syntax than Java, C, and C++.
Can try out short Python programs in an interactive environment.
Portable between computer systems.
Becoming Familiar with Your Programming Environment
There are several ways of creating a computer program
Using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
Using a text editor
We will use the Jupyter Notebook (Details on installing it will be provided in the first lab)
Jupyter Notebook is an open-source web application that allows you to create and share documents that contain live code, equations,
visualizations and narrative text.
Slides of this course have been developed using Jupyter.
A big advantage is that we use the same platform to present and run Python code.
Let us look at our first Python program
In [ ]: # My first Python program.
print("Hello, World!")
print("Hello")
How do Python programs run?
1. The compiler reads your source code (that is, the Python instructions that you wrote) all at once.
2. The compiler translates the instructions into byte code.
Byte codes are very simple instructions understood by the virtual machine (a separate program that is similar to the CPU of a
computer).
3. Any necessary libraries are automatically located and included by the virtual machine.
For example, the implementation of the print function.
4. The virtual machine executes your byte code.
Analyzing Your First Program
In [ ]: # My first Python Program
print("Hello, World!")
The first line is a comment.
Comments start with a # and are not considered statements (ignored by the interpreter).
The second line displays a line of text, viz., Hello, World! using the print function.
A function is a collection of programming instructions that carry out a particular task.
"Hello, World!" is called a string.
To use, or call, a function in Python, you need to specify:
The name of the function you want to use (in this case, print ).
Any values the function needs to carry out its task (in this case, "Hello, World!" ).
The technical term for such a value is an argument.
Arguments are enclosed in parentheses.
Multiple arguments are separated by commas.
The number of arguments required depends on the function.
Syntax of the print statement
More Examples of the Print Statement
Printing numerical values
In [ ]: print(3 + 4)
Passing multiple values to the function
In [ ]: print("The answers of adding" , "and multiplying are", 6 + 7, 6 * 7, ", respectively")
Note that each value passed to the function is displayed, one after another, with a blank space after each value.
By default the print function starts a new line after its arguments are printed
In [ ]: print("Hello")
print("World!")
Our Second Program ([Link])
In [ ]: ##
# Sample program that demonstrates the print function.
#
# Prints 7.
print(3 + 4)
# Prints "Hello World!" in two lines.
print("Hello")
print("World!")
# Prints multiple values with a single print function call.
print("My favorite numbers are", 3 + 4, "and", 3 + 10)
# Prints three lines of text with a blank line.
print("Goodbye")
print(1/0)
print("Hope to see you again")
Errors
There are two Categories of Errors:
Compile-time Errors (Syntax Errors)
Run-time Errors (Logical Errors)
Compile-time Errors
Spelling, capitalization, punctuation
Ordering of statements, matching of parenthesis, quotes, ...etc.
In [ ]: ## Uncomment each statement.
#print("Hello, World!)
#Print("Hello, World!")
#print("Hello World!')
#print('Hello'
No executable program is created by the compiler
Correct first error listed, then compile again.
Repeat until all errors are fixed
Run-time Errors
The program runs, but produces unintended results
The program may crash
In [ ]: ## Uncomment each statement.
#print("Hello, Word!")
#print(1/0)
Note that run-time errors are more troublesome. They are the harder to find and fix because the interpreter cannot flag them for us.
Problem Solving (Algorithm Design)
Self Reading
The topic will be discussed in Lab 2.
Summary
Computer Basics
Computers rapidly execute very simple instructions
A Program is a sequence of instructions and decisions
Programming is the art (and science) of designing, implementing, and testing computer programs
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) performs program control and data processing
Storage devices include memory and secondary storage (e.g., a USB Flash Drive)
Python
Python was designed in a way that makes it easier to learn than other programming languages such as Java, C and C++.
The designers goal was to give Python simpler and cleaner syntax.
Set aside some time to become familiar with the programming environment that you will use for your class work.
It is important to practice with the tool so you can focus on learning Python
An editor is a program for entering and modifying text, such as a Python program.
Python is case sensitive.
You must be careful about distinguishing between upper and lowercase letters.
The Python compiler translates source code into byte code instructions that are executed by the virtual machine.
A function is called by specifying the function’s name and its parameters.
A string is a sequence of characters enclosed in quotation marks.
Errors
A compile-time error is a violation of the programming language rules that is detected by the compiler.
A run-time error causes a program to take an action that the programmer did not intend.