Introduction to programming with Python

Topic 2:
Getting started with Python

© NCC Education Limited

 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2- 2.2

The Unit Roadmap

• Lesson 1 - Introduction
• Lesson 2 - Getting Started with Python
• Lesson 3 - Introduction to data types and sequential programming
• Lesson 4 - Making decisions: selection statements
• Lesson 5 - Performing repetitive tasks: Loops
• Lesson 6 - Dealing with Errors
• Lesson 7 - Programming with Strings
• Lesson 8 - List
• Lesson 9 - Modularity
• Lesson 10 - Object Oriented Programming
• Lesson 11 - Storing Data in Files
• Lesson 12 - Summary and Assignment preparation
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2- 2.3

What’ve We Learnt From Last Lesson

• What is a computer instruction?

• What are the TWO (2) main types of
programming languages?
• Explain the TWO (2) types of low-level code.
• State the SIX(6) stages of Software
Development Lifecycle.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2- 2.4

What Is This Lesson About?

• In this lesson, you will learn how an IDE is used to

write high-level program code. This will include
installing a Python IDE and how to interact with
Python using both a command line and a GUI.
• You will also learn how to use the help functions
and where to get help with writing program code
and errors that arise.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2- 2.5

Scope and Coverage

This topic will cover:

• Installing and using the IDE
• Installing Python
• Interacting with Python
• Command line
• GUI
• Help
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2- 2.6

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this topic students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of, features and tools of an IDE
• Install an IDE for Python
• Interact with the IDE for Python
• Use the command line for Python
• Use the GUI for Python
• Access help functions
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2- 2.7

IDE

• Integrated Development Environment

• Software that:
– Has an editor where you can write program code
– Helps you write program code, for example it may provide auto-
complete, auto-correct and auto-indent features
– Has error detection tools, for example identifies syntax errors by
underlining them, displays the line numbers with a description of
errors
– One or more translators to convert and execute your code
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2- 2.8

Choosing an IDE

• There are many different IDEs for all languages

including Python
• Each IDE has benefits and drawbacks

• Two IDEs for Python are IDLE and PyCharm

 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2- 2.9

IDLE vs PyCharm

IDLE PyCharm
Free of cost for full functionality Free as open-source, but fee paid for full
functionality
Not as resource heavy – can use on most Resource heavy – requires reasonable
computers memory e.g. 8GB RAM
Easier to use for simple coding Requires more setting-up before you can
start
Few tools and options Many options and debugging tools
Few debugging tools Multiple debugging tools
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.10

Task

• Find the names of one other IDE for Python.

• Identify the features of the IDE.
• Identify the benefits of the IDE.
• Identify the drawbacks of the IDE.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.11

Why IDLE?

• In this topic you will learn how to install and use IDLE.
• This is because:
• It is free to access
• It is less memory intensive
• It contains what you need to get started.
• This does not mean it is the best IDE for you.
• There is no right or wrong choice. It is up to you to decide
which to use.
• Your centre might have installed an IDE already for you to
use.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.12

Installing IDLE and Python

• IDLE is free to download from: [Link]

• Click on Downloads and then if you are running Windows, on the right-hand side
of the menu click on the button to download.
• If you are running a different platform, select it from the menu and follow the
instructions.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.13

Installing IDLE and Python

You will then be asked to download and save a
file.

Once you have downloaded the file, you can run it

and follow the instructions to install the software.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.14

Path Setup

• You will be asked if you want to install a PATH for

Python.
• The PATH allows your operating system to locate
the Python executable when needed.
• Select to install the PATH when given the option.
• This allows your OS to run Python no matter where
you save your Python files.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.15

Checkpoint Summary

• IDE stands for Integrated Development

Environment.
• An IDE is used to write a program in a high-level
language.
• IDEs provide tools for example translators, editors
and debugging tools.
• There are lots of different IDEs you can use. Each
one has benefits and drawbacks.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.16

Interacting with Python using IDLE

• IDLE has two windows.

• The first one that opens
is the Shell.
• You can type code
directly in here and run
it.
• If you write your code as
a program, the output
will be shown here.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.17

Command Line Interface

• A command line is where you type the code and run it

directly.
• In IDLE this is where you type the code into the Shell.
• One line of code is entered,
for example print(“Hello”).
• The line is run directly.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.18

Interacting with Python using IDLE

• Click on the menu File and then New to create a new untitled document.
• You type your code into this window.
• You need to save your file (in a sensible folder) before you can run your
code.
• This is a Graphical User Interface, it has additional features such as
colour coding.
• A program is created and saved before the code runs.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.19

Interacting with Python using IDLE

• This is an example showing the code and Shell

window side by side.
• The code is on the right, the Shell showing the
output is on the left.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.20

Interacting with Python using IDLE

• You will notice that IDLE has different colour
text.
• Purple is used for reserved words. These are
functions and commands that Python uses.
For example: print and input.
• Green is for strings. Strings are contained within
speech marks "This is a string“.
• Black is for variables and other characters, such
as arithmetic operators and brackets.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.21

Interacting with Python using IDLE

• This shows the purple text is print and input

• The green has the strings
• The black is the variable name, the = and
brackets
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.22

Translator

• The translator most commonly used for Python

is an interpreter.
• An interpreter converts one line of Python code
and then runs it.
• The interpreter then moves on to the next line.

Translate Execute Translate Execute

line 1 line 1 line 2 line 2
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.23

Interpreter

• The interpreter will stop running when it finds a

syntax error (the rules of the programming
language have been broken).
• The code will run and produce an output up to that
line, then you will get an error message.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.24

Errors
• Errors are ok! Everyone makes errors in
programming, even people who have been
doing it for years. Errors are not a problem,
what you do about them is important.
• You will need to work out what the error is
and try and fix it.
• You might not fix it the first time, but you can
run the code again and see what happens
this time.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.25

Types of Error

• There are 3 types of error you might encounter:

• Syntax
• Logic
• Run-time
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.26

Syntax Error

• This is where the code does not meet the rules

of the programming language.
• Each language has rules for the grammar and
structure that it must follow, you will learn about
these throughout this unit.
• Examples could be incorrect spelling, missing a
keyword or missing a bracket.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.27

Syntax
• In this example the code (on the right) has == on
line 4, this should be =
• The left-hand side shows how the error is
displayed. It gives you the line number and what it
thinks the error is.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.28

Logic Error

• The program runs and does not produce an

error. However, the output is not what you were
expecting.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.29

Logic Error Example

• In this example 200 is output instead of the
expected 30. This is because * is used instead
of +
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.30

Run-time Error

• This is when the program is running and tries to

do something that it cannot do.
• Common examples including trying to divide by
0 and running of memory.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.31

Run-time Error Example

• In this example the program has tried to divide
100 by 0. The code started to run and then
stopped when it found this error.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.32

Help

• There is lots of help available, from within your IDE,

online and other resources.
• In IDLE there is a Help menu at the top. Click on
this button and you can select Python docs.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.33

Help

• The page that

opens has links
to several
different options.
• There is a tutorial
and reference to
the libraries
available.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.34

Help
• The Internet is a great source of help when it comes
to programming.
• Any problem you encounter, many other people
have likely encountered as well.
• Using a suitable search engine you can find
websites with example code, that include tutorials
and forums where you can ask questions.
• The Python website is always a good place to start.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.35

Help

• There are lots of textbooks about programming

in general and Python.
• A couple of examples are found on the
references slide but there are many more.
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.36

Quiz

1. What does IDE stand for?

2. What is the purpose of an IDE?
3. Identify TWO (2) features found in an IDE?
4. What is the name of a Python IDE?
5. Why are THREE (3) reasons you chose the IDE you are
using?
6. What is a PATH and why is it important?
7. Where can you get help with your programming?
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.37

Topic Summary

• An IDE is an Integrated Development Environment

• IDEs have tools to help you write, run and debug your
program for example an editor
• Python has lots of different IDEs
• Each IDE has its benefits and drawbacks
• Python uses an interpreter, one line is translated and then
executed before moving onto the next line
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.38

What’s Next?

In the next lesson we will be looking at:

 Introduction to variables
 Assignment statements
 Introduction to data types
 Arithmetic operations
 Dates and Times
 Comments
 Writing a program using sequential statements
 Introduction to Programming with Python Topic 2-
2.39

References

• CGP Books (2022). Python programming guide. Coordination Group

Publications Ltd
• Python (2023). Python. Available at: [Link] (Accessed 25th
July 2023)
• PyCharm (2023). Install Python. Available at
[Link] (Accessed
25th July 2023)
• Robbins, P. (2023). Python Programming for Beginners. Independently
published.
• W3 Schools. (2023). Python Tutorial. Available at
[Link] (Accessed 25th July 2023)
Topic 2 – Getting started with Python

Any Questions?