Python Flash Cards: Syntax, Concepts, and Examples

204 Pages·2019·1.033 MB·English

by  Eric Matthes

From the best-selling author of Python Crash Course
P Y T H O N

F L A S H C A R D S
101 CARDS
ERIC MATTHES
1 ConCepts and VoCabulary
ConC ep ts and
VoCabul ary
These cards introduce a variety of important programming
concepts. Understanding these concepts will help you make
sense of the relevant syntax when you get to it, in Python or
any other language you choose to study.
You can read these cards as a set before moving on to
the syntax cards, or you might visit relevant concepts here
as you work on individual topics from the syntax cards.
1.1 Programming 1.19 Databases
Languages
1.20 Data Structures
1.2 Operating Systems and Types
1.3 Terminal 1.21 Variables
1.4 Text Editors 1.22 Strings
1.5 IDEs 1.23 Numerical
Data Types
1.6 Comments
1.24 Sequences
1.7 Style Guides
1.25 Mappings
1.8 Project
Specifications 1.26 Functions
1.9 Syntax 1.27 Classes
1.10 Debugging 1.28 Inheritance
1.11 Refactoring 1.29 Other Data Types
1.12 Standard Library 1.30 if Statements
1.13 Third-Party 1.31 Loops
Libraries
1.32 Modules
1.14 Frameworks
1.33 Saving State
1.15 Error Handling
1.16 Version Control
1.17 Testing
1.18 User Interfaces
progr amming
l anguages
• What is a programming language?
• What’s unique about Python?
• How does a programming language affect
the way we think about solving problems?
1.1
A programming language is a set of rules for
giving instructions to a computer. It provides the
syntax for giving instructions and specifies the
ways to store information, and it controls the order
in which instructions are executed in a program.
Python is a high-level programming language, which
means it takes care of many low-level tasks for you so you
can focus on solving problems. For example, when you
assign a value to a variable, Python deletes the variable
automatically when it’s no longer needed, sparing you from
having to manage memory.
Every language has unique features that lead to charac-
teristic programming styles and philosophies. Python focuses
on simplicity, readability, and getting the job done.
oper ating
systems
• What is an operating system?
• What does an operating system do?
• How does Python interact with the operating
system?
1.2
The operating system (OS) is the software that con-
trols the computer’s inner workings.
An operating system performs low-level functionality, such
as reading from and writing to memory, and interacts with
hardware devices, like hard drives, RAM, CPU, graphics
processors, displays, batteries, and other external devices.
Windows, macOS, and Linux (such as Ubuntu and Fedora)
are major operating systems.
Python is a cross-platform programming language. You
can write Python code on any OS, and it will run on any
other OS.
terminal
• What is a terminal?
• How do you run a Python program from a
terminal?
• How do you start a Python session from a
terminal?
1.3
A terminal is a program that allows you to interact
with the OS, and it is often referred to as the con-
sole or command line. You use a terminal (rather
than going through a GUI) to issue clear, concise,
text-based commands to the OS to quickly perform
tasks.
You can run a Python program from a terminal using a
command like this:
$ python hello_world.py
You can also start a Python session in a terminal. In a
Python terminal session, each line of code executes as soon
as you enter it:
$ python
>>> print("Hello, terminal world!")
Hello, terminal world!
te x t e ditors
• What is a text editor?
• What is syntax highlighting?
• What are some beginner-friendly text editors?
• What are some more advanced text editors?
1.4