Overview
This week we will begin Chapter 2: Values, expressions and statements in our online textbook. By the end of this chapter, you should be comfortable interacting with the Python interpreter in both shell mode and script mode. You will also need to be comfortable using the Unix CLI and a console text editor, so be sure to reach out to me for help if you can't do any of those things.
Friday, September 6th
Classwork
During class today we will discuss the solutions to the homework assigned on Wednesday, and then learn how to use the doctest module to write automated tests.
I will be using doctests frequently on quizzes as a way to assess your understanding of Python.
Finally, I'll show you how to add a .vimrc file to your home directory which will begin to turn vim into a nice Python IDE.
Homework
Prepare for your first test on chapter 2 at the beginning of class next Tuesday (the 10th) by completing the exercises in Exercise Set 1: Introducting Doctest. Four of the five questions on the quiz will be variations of these exercises.
Wednesday, September 4th
Classwork
Please take a look at our Students page. If you do not see your name linked to your git repository, please email me ASAP with your repo url!
During the first half of class today I will go through Chapter 2: Values, expressions and statements in our textbook, running many of the examples and summarizing many of the key ideas presented in the chapter.
By the time we finish reading this chapter, you should become familiar with the following terms, and be able to provide a rough definition of them:
data, value, data type, class, bit, int, str, float, '\n', Python shell, Python script, expression, operator, operand, assignment statement, assignment operator, modulus operator, converter functions, input function, print function
I will also walk you through the begining of Exercise Set 1: Introducing Doctest to get you started with this wonderful tool.
In the time remaining, you can begin working through the assigned exercises.
Homework
If you haven't already done so, read Chapter 2: Values, expressions and statements in our online textbook. Remember, you are a college student now, so you should be reading for understanding. You can test your understanding by seeing how easily you can complete some of the exercises in Exercise Set 0: Chapter Review. I'll show you in class where you can look for solutions to these exercises.