In this module, we will review the fundamentals of computer programming, i.e., how the computer works, how the program is executed, how the programming language is defined and constructed. We will discuss the difference between compilation and interpretation and the basic information about Python and how it is positioned among other programming languages, and what distinguishes its different versions. We will demonstrate a simple way to download, install, and run the Python environment on a personal computer. We will also review the study resources and different types of interfaces you will be using in the course.

In the module, we will review the basic methods of formatting and outputting data offered by Python, together with the primary kinds of data and numerical operators, their mutual relations and bindings. We will introduce the concept of variables and variable naming conventions, as well as the assignment operator, the rules governing the building of expressions and the inputting and converting of data.

In this module, we will use Boolean values to compare different values and control the execution paths using the if and if-else instructions. We will utilize loops (while and for) and control their behavior using the break and continue instructions. We will discuss the difference between logical and bitwise operations. The list is a type of data in Python used to store multiple objects. It is an ordered and mutable collection of comma-separated items between square brackets. Acquaintance with the concept of lists and list processing, including the iteration provided by the for loop, and slicing will be introduced in this module. Finally, we will discuss and review the idea of multi-dimensional arrays.

A function is a block of code that performs a specific task when the function is called (invoked). In this module, we discuss the definition and usage of functions – their rationale, purpose, conventions, and traps. Also presented is the concept of passing arguments in different ways and setting their default values, along with the mechanisms of returning the function’s results. Name scopes and variable shadowing will also be introduced.

In this module, we discuss collections: the purpose, construction, and use of tuples, and the purpose, construction, and use of  dictionaries. An error is an issue in a program that prevents the program from completing. An exception in comparison is a condition that interrupts normal flow of the program. In this chapter we learn how to use the try statement and the except clause, to handle exceptions.