Python Programming Notes
Subject Overview
Python Programming introduces the language BCA's later Data Science, AI/
Subject at a glance
3
Units
35
Topics
2
Credits
3
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
3 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- History and application areas
- program structure
- identifiers and keywords
- operators and precedence
- data types and type conversion
- statements and expressions
- I/O statements
- string creation and built-in functions
- string slicing and formatting
- conditional and loop control flow
- continue/pass/break/exit statements
- s[0]
- 'P', the first character
- s[-1]
- 'N', the last character
- s[1:4]
- 'YTH', from index 1 up to 4
- s[::-1]
- 'NOHTYP', reversed
- len(s)
- 6, the number of characters
Study guide
Python is a beginner-friendly language used in web development, automation, data science and AI. You learn its history and applications, program structure, identifiers and keywords, operators and precedence, data types and conversion, expressions, input and output, strings (slicing, formatting, built-in functions), conditionals, loops and the continue, pass, break and exit statements. Practise string slicing; it appears constantly.
- Built-in functions
- function definition and call
- scope and lifetime of variables
- default parameters
- command-line arguments
- lambda functions
- assert statement
- importing user-defined modules
- mutable/immutable objects — lists
- tuples
- dictionaries and their built-in functions
- passing them as arguments
- using Math and NumPy modules
List
[1, 2, 3]
Ordered and mutable
Tuple
(1, 2, 3)
Ordered and immutable
Dictionary
{"a": 1}
Key-value pairs; fast lookup
Set
{1, 2, 3}
Unordered, unique items
Study guide
This unit covers reusable code and Python's core collections: built-in functions, defining and calling functions, scope and lifetime of variables, default parameters, command-line arguments, lambda functions, assert, importing your own modules, mutable and immutable objects, and lists, tuples and dictionaries with their built-in functions, plus the Math and NumPy modules. Understand why lists are mutable and tuples are not.
- File types
- creating/reading/writing text and binary files
- the Pickle module
- reading/writing CSV and JSON files
- try-except-else-finally
- raise statement
- exception hierarchy
- plotting 2D and 3D graphics
- histograms
- pie charts
- sine and cosine curves
- 1try
Code that may raise an error
- 2except
Handle a specific error
- 3else
Runs if no error occurred
- 4finally
Always runs, e.g. close a file
Study guide
Real programs read files, handle errors and show results. You study text and binary files, the Pickle module, CSV and JSON files, exception handling with try, except, else and finally, the raise statement and the exception hierarchy, and plotting 2D and 3D graphics, histograms, pie charts and sine and cosine curves. Always use try-except around file operations in your programs.
Why Python Programming Matters
Python is the most in-demand language for data science, machine learning, automation and backend development, and it is the main language of AI. Strong Python fundamentals open the largest number of entry-level tech and analytics roles.
How to Prepare for Python Programming
- Code something small every day; Python rewards frequent practice.
- Master list, tuple and dictionary operations and comprehensions.
- Learn to read error messages and traceback output.
- Practise file handling and exception handling with real files.
Python Programming: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Python easy for beginners?
Yes. Python has simple, readable syntax, which is why it is widely used to teach programming and is also used professionally in AI and data science.
What is the difference between a list and a tuple?
Lists are mutable and can be changed after creation, while tuples are immutable and cannot be changed.