Python Programming from First Principles

Preface · Contents · Contributors

A systematic introduction to Python, from first instructions through object-oriented programming and useful applications.

Welcome to the book

Prof. Philippe Tamla

No previous programming experience is required. You need a computer on which you can read and edit text, run Python, and save files. The opening chapter introduces the tools needed to write and run Python programs.

What you will learn

1. Run Python programs with an interpreter (the program that executes Python instructions), IPython (an interactive Python shell with additional exploration tools) and notebooks.
2. Use numbers, strings, variables, conversions, Boolean expressions and operators.
3. Choose and work with lists, tuples, sets, dictionaries and nested structures.
4. Use conditions, pattern matching, loops and loop control.
5. Define functions with arguments, return values, scope and decorators; recognize lambdas, recursion and generators.
6. Organize modules and use the original standard-library examples, packages and environments.
7. Model classes and objects, distinguish instance and class behavior, apply OOP relationships, and use UML to explain a design.
8. Apply specialized collections, file handling, serialization, error handling, testing, concurrency and the original HTTP/HTML examples.

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