Using+Python

Most of your programming experience in this course will be done in the Python programming language. A couple of important things to note:
 * we will be using [|How To Think Like a Computer Scientist], a free, open source textbook that you can access online, or download if you would like to have a copy on your computer at home (it's also on the DVD I gave you at the start of the course)
 * since Python is open source, you can [|download Python] free of charge on your computer at home (it's also on the DVD). You should use the latest 2.x version, NOT version 3.x, since we are using 2.x in our class. Ask for help if you are having trouble with the installation.
 * if you are using a Mac, you already have Python installed. You can get to the IDLE (like we use in class) by following these steps (or you can get all fancy, if you want to [|follow the steps shown on this page] ). You are more than welcome to use some other editor as well. It is up to you.
 * open the Terminal (hit command-space, start typing "terminal", hit enter when Terminal is the selected menu item)
 * type or copy/paste the command: python -m idlelib.idle

Topics we will be covering: (not exhaustive)

 * variables and assignments (this includes data types, even though Python is dynamically typed)
 * user input
 * conditionals (if, if...else, if...elif...else)
 * looping (while, for)
 * single
 * nested
 * functions (void and "fruitful")
 * string functions (slicing and dicing a string)
 * single-dimension arrays (lists)