Understand the background and the process of working
with Python
Demonstrate the ability to work with Python in a
terminal environment
What is Python?
Python is a high level, interpreted, interactive and
object-oriented scripting language
The language has been designed to be readable and uses
English keywords frequently
Other programming languages rely upon the usage of
punctuation
Interpreted, Interactive and Object-Oriented?
Interpreted means that the language is
processed at runtime by the interpreter and therefore you
are not required to compile the program before
execution
Interactive means that you can interact
with the Python interpreter directly in order to write your
programs
Object-Oriented means that Python
supports the object-oriented style of programming; whereby
the code is encapsulated within objects
History of Python
Python was first developed by Guido van Rossum in the
late 1980’s and early 1990’s
The language is derived from other languages such as:
C++, Unix shell etc.
Features of Python
The language is easy to learn
There is a broad standard library
Students can interact with the
language
The language is portable and
extendable
Supports databases and
graphical user interfaces
Advantages of Python
Python can be used for a wide variety of tasks, such as:
Web Development
Embedded Applications
Gaming
Data Processing and Visualisation
A large collection of libraries and resources
Improves a developers productivity
Support for machine learning and artificial
intelligence
Using Python
Python 3 is the language of choice for this module
the simple nature of Python makes it a great programming
language for beginners
it is cross-platform and works across all major
operating systems
macOS and Linux
Typing python3 into the terminal window
will call the Python interpreter
Windows
Typing py or python3 into the
command-line or PowerShell will call the Python interpreter
only a single command will work
depends upon how you installed Python on your
machine
Python IDLE
The integrated development and learning environment for
Python
Available on macOS, Linux and Windows and installed
alongside the Python interpreter
A multi-window text editor which has colour-coded input,
output and error messages
Provides features to debug your code with persistent
breakpoints, stepping and the ability to view global and
local namespaces
