V22.0002: Introduction to Computers and Programming

V22

Software || Python 2.x vs Python 3.x || Additional Python Resources

Software

Python Downloads - http://python.org/download/

Notes:

To create a new script in IDLE: use FILE / NEW

To run a script or program in IDLE, use RUN / RUN MODULE (or F5)

Notes on using Python's IDLE in Windows:

In order to set a default directory for your programs so that Python does not save them with the rest of Python, you can reconfigure the shortcut on your desktop to specify your own working directory. To do that, right-click on the shortcut on your desktop and choose Properties. In the "Start In:" line, enter your own folder, for example C:\PythonClass and then click OK.

Python 2.x vs Python 3.x

For students using How to Think Like a Computer Scientist - Learning with Python 2nd Edition by Jeffrey Elkner, Allen B. Downey, and Chris Meyers (see http://openbookproject.net/thinkcs/python/english2e/index.html ) ... you will need to be aware of the differences between Python 2.x and Python 3.x

Official documentation is posted at Differences between Python 2.x and Python 3.x -http://docs.python.org/3.1/whatsnew/3.0.html

A summary of differences follows; this list will be expanded throughout the semester to reflect the differences you will see in the optional textbook:

Topic Python 2.x as seen in the "How To Think ..." book Python 3.x as seen in class

Print statement print 'Hello, World!' print('Hello, World')

Data entry: text name = raw_input('What is your name? ') name = input('What is your name? ')

Data entry: numbers (values) age = input('What is your age? ') age = input('What is your age? ')
age = int(age)

Integer arithmetic: division >>> 7/2
3 >>> 7/2
3.5
>>> 7//2
3

Additional Python Resources and notes:

Safari Online at the Bobst -

Python in a Nutshell http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com/0596100469

Python Cookbook http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com/0596007973

Outside Online Resources:

The official Python site - http://python.org/

Useful Python modules, packages and libraries

The Python Wiki - http://wiki.python.org/moin/FrontPage

Class Resources:

Python to Java by Deena Engel

Email:

Topic	Python 2.x as seen in the "How To Think ..." book	Python 3.x as seen in class
Print statement	print 'Hello, World!'	print('Hello, World')
Data entry: text	name = raw_input('What is your name? ')	name = input('What is your name? ')
Data entry: numbers (values)	age = input('What is your age? ')	age = input('What is your age? ') age = int(age)
Integer arithmetic: division	>>> 7/2 3	>>> 7/2 3.5 >>> 7//2 3