Chapter 2: Python Basics: Variables, Data Types, and Operators

With the Python environment established, we proceed to the essential elements required to construct programs. This chapter introduces the concepts needed to manage and manipulate data within your scripts.

You will learn how to:

Use variables to store and reference information.
Work with Python's fundamental data types: numbers (integers like 5 and floating-point numbers like 3.14), text (strings like "hello"), and boolean values (True and False).
Apply operators for arithmetic ( $a + b$ ), comparison ( $x > y$ ), and logical combinations (condition1 and condition2).
Convert data between different types (e.g., changing "10" to 10).
Receive input from users interacting with your script.
Incorporate comments to explain your code.

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to write simple Python programs that perform calculations, handle basic text, and interact with user input.

Sections

2.1 Storing Information: Variables
2.2 Fundamental Data Types: Numbers (Integers, Floats)
2.3 Fundamental Data Types: Text (Strings)
2.4 Fundamental Data Types: Booleans
2.5 Working with Operators: Arithmetic
2.6 Working with Operators: Comparison
2.7 Working with Operators: Logical
2.8 Type Conversion Explained
2.9 Getting User Input
2.10 Adding Comments to Your Code
2.11 Practice: Simple Calculations and Input Output