Python Programming Fundamentals
Chapter 1: Getting Started with Python
What is Python Programming?
Why Choose Python for AI and Development?
Understanding Interpreted vs Compiled Languages
Setting up Your Python Environment (Windows)
Setting up Your Python Environment (macOS)
Setting up Your Python Environment (Linux)
Using the Python Interpreter (REPL)
Writing and Running Your First Python Script
Introduction to IDEs and Code Editors
Hands-on Practical: Setup Verification and First Script
Quiz for Chapter 1
Chapter 2: Python Basics: Variables, Data Types, and Operators
Storing Information: Variables
Fundamental Data Types: Numbers (Integers, Floats)
Fundamental Data Types: Text (Strings)
Fundamental Data Types: Booleans
Working with Operators: Arithmetic
Working with Operators: Comparison
Working with Operators: Logical
Type Conversion Explained
Getting User Input
Adding Comments to Your Code
Practice: Simple Calculations and Input Output
Quiz for Chapter 2
Chapter 3: Controlling Program Flow
Making Decisions: The if Statement
Handling Alternatives: elif and else
Repeating Actions: The while Loop
Iterating Over Sequences: The for Loop
Controlling Loops: break and continue
Nested Control Structures
Practice: Conditional Logic and Loop Implementation
Quiz for Chapter 3
Chapter 4: Organizing Data: Collections
Introduction to Sequences: Lists
Modifying Lists: Adding, Removing, Changing Items
Immutable Sequences: Tuples
Key Value Pairs: Dictionaries
Accessing and Modifying Dictionary Data
Unique Items: Sets
Operations on Sets
Choosing the Right Data Structure
Hands-on Practical: Working with Collections
Quiz for Chapter 4
Chapter 5: Building Blocks: Functions
Defining Your Own Functions
Function Parameters and Arguments
Returning Values from Functions
Understanding Variable Scope (Local vs Global)
Default Argument Values
Docstrings: Documenting Your Functions
Lambda Functions: Quick Anonymous Functions
Practice: Creating and Using Functions
Quiz for Chapter 5
Chapter 6: Interacting with Files
Understanding File Paths
Opening and Closing Files
Reading Data from Files
Writing Data to Files
Appending to Files
Using with for Automatic File Closing
Working with Different File Modes
Hands-on Practical: Reading and Writing Text Files
Quiz for Chapter 6
Chapter 7: Reusing Code: Modules and Packages
What are Modules?
Importing Modules: import Statement
Importing Specific Names: from ... import
Python's Standard Library Overview
Finding and Installing External Packages with pip
Commonly Used Standard Modules
Organizing Code into Packages (Basic Structure)
Practice: Using Standard and External Modules
Quiz for Chapter 7
Chapter 8: Introduction to Object-Oriented Concepts
Thinking in Objects: Classes and Objects
Defining a Class
Creating Instances (Objects)
Attributes: Storing Data in Objects
Methods: Defining Behavior for Objects
The __init__ Method (Constructor)
The self Parameter Explained
Hands-on Practical: Defining a Simple Class
Quiz for Chapter 8
Chapter 9: Handling Errors and Exceptions
Understanding Errors in Python
Introduction to Exceptions
Handling Exceptions: try and except Blocks
Handling Specific Exception Types
The else Block in Exception Handling
The finally Block: Cleanup Actions
Raising Exceptions Manually
Practice: Implementing Error Handling
Quiz for Chapter 9
Chapter 10: Putting It All Together
Review of Core Python Concepts
Planning a Simple Application
Example Project: A Basic Command Line Tool
Structuring Your Project Files
Writing the Code: Step by Step
Testing Your Application
Where to Go Next: Further Python Learning
Quiz for Chapter 10
Default Argument Values
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- Fluent Python: Clear, Concise, and Effective Programming, Luciano Ramalho, 2022 (O'Reilly Media) - Provides in-depth coverage of Pythonic idioms, including a detailed discussion on default argument values, their proper use, and the critical issues associated with mutable default arguments, offering practical solutions. 2nd edition.
- Python Cookbook, David Beazley, Brian K. Jones, 2013 (O'Reilly Media) - Offers practical recipes and solutions for common Python programming tasks, including effective strategies for defining and using functions with default arguments, and guidance on avoiding common problems with mutable defaults. 3rd edition.