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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Handling Errors and Exceptions
Programs rarely execute perfectly under all conditions. Unexpected situations, from invalid user input to missing files, can cause runtime errors. Python uses a mechanism called exceptions to signal and manage these errors. Properly handling exceptions is essential for creating stable and user-friendly applications.
This chapter introduces Python's approach to error handling. You will learn how to anticipate potential problems and write code that can respond gracefully when they occur. We will cover:
- Understanding the difference between syntax errors and runtime exceptions.
- Using
tryandexceptblocks to catch and handle exceptions. - Handling specific types of exceptions for more targeted error management.
- Utilizing the optional
elseblock to execute code when no exceptions occur. - Employing the
finallyblock to ensure cleanup actions always run. - Generating exceptions intentionally using the
raisestatement.
Sections
9.1 Understanding Errors in Python
9.2 Introduction to Exceptions
9.3 Handling Exceptions: try and except Blocks
9.4 Handling Specific Exception Types
9.5 The else Block in Exception Handling
9.6 The finally Block: Cleanup Actions
9.7 Raising Exceptions Manually
9.8 Practice: Implementing Error Handling
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