Alright — welcome to Year 1, Semester 1, Course 1: Introduction to Programming I.
Think of this as your first day in a Canadian software engineering lecture hall — except the snacks are
optional and nobody will steal your seat.
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📚 Lecture 1: Introduction to Programming with Python
Course Overview
This course will teach you:
How to think like a programmer
Python syntax and structure
Writing, running, and debugging code
Problem-solving with algorithms
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1. What is Programming?
Programming is the process of giving instructions to a computer so it can perform tasks.
Computers don’t “understand” human language — they follow precise, step-by-step instructions written
in a programming language.
A program is like a recipe:
Ingredients = Data
Steps = Code instructions
Chef = The CPU executing the instructions
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2. Why Python?
Python is:
Beginner-friendly
Used by Google, NASA, and YouTube
Versatile (web apps, AI, data analysis, automation)
Has readable syntax close to English
Example:
print("Hello, world!")
This simple program prints text to the screen.
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3. How Programs Run
Step 1: You write the code (source code)
Step 2: Python interpreter translates it into machine code
Step 3: CPU executes the instructions
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4. Your First Program
Here’s the “Hello World” in Python:
# This is a comment
print("Hello, world!")
Anything after # is ignored by Python (comments help you document your code)
print() is a function that outputs text
Try changing "Hello, world!" to your name.
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5. Variables
Variables are names that store data.
Example:
name = "Tredom"
age = 20
print("My name is", name)
print("I am", age, "years old")
name stores text ("Tredom")
age stores a number (20)
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🎯 Assignment 1
Write a Python program that:
1. Stores your name in a variable
2. Stores your age in another variable
3. Prints:
Hello, my name is [YourName] and I am [YourAge] years old.
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If you complete that, in Lecture 2 we’ll dive into data types, input, and basic math in Python — the real
start of problem-solving.
Do you want me to give you a quick guide on how to set up Python on your phone or computer so you
can run the code yourself starting today?
Here’s how to set up Python on your phone or computer, step-by-step, so you can start coding right
away.
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🐍 Python Setup Guide
Option 1: Android Phone (Quickest)
If you’re on Android, you can run Python without a laptop.
Step 1: Install a Python IDE
Go to Google Play Store
Search for “Pydroid 3” (free)
Install it – this app comes with Python 3 built-in.
📱 Alternative Apps:
QPython 3L (lightweight, also free)
Termux (advanced, for command-line lovers)
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Step 2: Run Your First Code
1. Open Pydroid 3
2. Tap “Editor” → paste this code:
print("Hello, world!")
3. Tap the yellow play button ▶️
4. You should see:
Hello, world!
🎉 Congrats — you just ran your first Python program on your phone!
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Option 2: Computer (Laptop/PC)
If you have a computer, this is better for serious software engineering practice.
Step 1: Install Python
Go to [Link]/downloads
Download Python 3.x (latest stable version)
Install it, and check the box that says "Add Python to PATH" during installation.
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Step 2: Verify Installation
1. Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux)
2. Type:
python --version
3. You should see something like:
Python 3.12.1
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Step 3: Install a Code Editor
For serious coding, install VS Code:
Download: [Link]
Install it, then add the Python extension from the Extensions menu.
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Option 3: No Installation Needed
If you can’t install apps, use an online Python editor:
[Link]
[Link] (create a free account)
Just paste your code, hit Run, and see results instantly.
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Assignment After Setup
Once you’ve set it up, run this program:
name = "Tredom"
age = 20
print("Hello, my name is", name, "and I am", age, "years old.")
If it works, you’ve completed Lecture 1 fully.
Next, we’ll move to Lecture 2: Data Types, Input, and Basic Math — the real building blocks of
programming.
Would you like me to prepare Lecture 2 now, or do you want to try running the assignment first and
show me what you got?
Great! Let's move straight to Lecture 2 of your Introduction to Programming I course.
Make sure your Python setup is ready on your phone or computer because you'll be writing and running
code today.
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📚 Lecture 2: Data Types, Input, and Basic Math
In this lesson, we’ll cover:
1. Python data types (how Python stores and understands different kinds of data)
2. Taking user input
3. Doing math with Python
4. A mini-project at the end
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1. Python Data Types
Data types are like labels that tell Python what kind of data it’s dealing with.
Here are the most important ones for now:
Data Type Example Description
String (str) "Hello" Text, inside quotes
Integer (int) 10 Whole numbers
Float 3.14 Decimal numbers
Boolean (bool) True or False Logical values
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Examples:
# Strings
name = "Tredom"
# Integer
age = 20
# Float
height = 5.9
# Boolean
is_student = True
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2. Checking Data Type
Python can tell you the data type using type().
Example:
x = 10
print(type(x)) # Output: <class 'int'>
y = "Hello"
print(type(y)) # Output: <class 'str'>
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3. Taking User Input
To make programs interactive, we use input().
Example:
name = input("Enter your name: ")
print("Hello,", name)
> Note: Everything from input() is treated as text (string), even numbers.
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Converting Input to Numbers
If you want to perform math, you must convert the input.
Example:
age = int(input("Enter your age: ")) # Converts to integer
print("You will be", age + 1, "next year.")
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4. Basic Math Operations
Python can perform all basic math operations.
Operator Use Example (a = 10, b = 3) Result
+ Addition a+b 13
- Subtraction a-b 7
* Multiplication a * b 30
/ Division (float) a / b 3.33
// Division (integer) a // b 3
% Modulus (remainder) a%b 1
** Exponent (power) a ** b 1000
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Example: Calculator
num1 = float(input("Enter first number: "))
num2 = float(input("Enter second number: "))
sum_result = num1 + num2
print("The sum is:", sum_result)
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5. Mini Project: Simple Age Calculator
🎯 Goal: Create a program that:
1. Asks for your name and birth year
2. Calculates your current age
3. Prints:
Hello Tredom, you are 20 years old.
Hint:
current_year = 2025
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Assignment
1. Run the age calculator program.
2. Modify it so it tells you how old you’ll be in 5 years.
3. Share your code with me, and I’ll check it like a professor would.
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Would you like me to prepare Lecture 3, where we’ll dive into decision-making in code (if/else
statements), or do you want to try the assignment first?
Alright! Let’s keep building your programming skills.
We’re now moving to Lecture 3, which is one of the most important topics in programming: decision-
making using if statements.
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📚 Lecture 3: Decision Making in Python (if, elif, else)
Programs need to make decisions, just like humans do.
Example:
If it’s raining → take an umbrella ☔
Else → wear sunglasses 😎
In programming, this is done using conditional statements.
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1. The if Statement
The if statement allows your program to run code only when a condition is true.
Syntax:
if condition:
# Code to run if condition is true
Example:
age = 18
if age >= 18:
print("You are an adult.")
Output:
You are an adult.
> Important: The colon : and indentation (spaces at the start of the line) are required in Python.
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2. Adding else
The else block runs if the condition is false.
Example:
age = 16
if age >= 18:
print("You are an adult.")
else:
print("You are a minor.")
Output:
You are a minor.
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3. Multiple Conditions with elif
Sometimes you need more than two choices.
Use elif (else if).
Example:
score = 75
if score >= 90:
print("Grade: A")
elif score >= 80:
print("Grade: B")
elif score >= 70:
print("Grade: C")
else:
print("Grade: F")
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4. Comparison Operators
These are used to compare values in conditions.
Operator Meaning Example Result
== Equal to 5 == 5 True
!= Not equal to 5 != 3 True
> Greater than 10 > 5 True
< Less than 3<5 True
>= Greater than or equal to 7 >= 7 True
<= Less than or equal to 6 <= 8 True
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5. Logical Operators
Combine multiple conditions.
Operator Meaning Example
and Both conditions must be true age >= 18 and age <= 60
or At least one condition must be true age < 18 or age > 60
not Reverses the condition not(age >= 18)
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6. Example: Voting Eligibility Checker
age = int(input("Enter your age: "))
if age >= 18:
print("You are eligible to vote!")
else:
print("Sorry, you are not old enough to vote.")
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7. Mini Project: Grading System
🎯 Goal:
Write a Python program that:
1. Takes a student’s score as input.
2. Prints their grade based on the following rules:
90 and above → A
80–89 → B
70–79 → C
60–69 → D
Below 60 → F
Example Output:
Enter your score: 85
Grade: B
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Assignment
1. Write and test the grading program.
2. Modify it to also print a message like:
A → "Excellent work!"
B → "Good job!"
C → "Keep improving!"
D → "You passed, but study harder."
F → "Failed. You need to retake this course."
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Next Lecture Preview – Lecture 4
We’ll learn about loops (for and while), which allow you to repeat actions automatically — the key to
writing efficient programs.
Would you like me to prepare Lecture 4 now, or do you want to try the grading project first and show
me your code?