Python Basics

Data Types

Really Basic

int, float, bool, complex

• can convert from one to another using the data type class itself
• identify the type using type()

Less Basic

string, function

Advanced

list, dict, set, tuple

Even More Advanced

class

Operators

• assignment: =
• math: +, -, *, /, **, %, //
• equality: ==, !=, <, <=, >, >=
• binary opertors: &, | , ^, <<, >>

Functions

* ```def```, ```return```, ```pass``` keywords
* arguments and keyword arguments
* passing in unknown number of arguments

```python
def my_function(arguments,..., keyword_arguments=3):
    #run your code here
    return_variable=1
    return return_variable
```

Conditionals

• logic
  • if, elif, else
  • NO switch (yet…)
• logic
  • and, not, or
  • ==, !=, >, >=, <, <=

iterable data types

• list, tuple, string
• range() function
• can access one item at a time using square brackets
• can “slice” iterables

Looping

• for, while
• break, continue
• can iterate through “iterables”
• can use else

Strings

• easy to format, easy to search, easy to operate on
• split(), join(), find(), index(), format()…
• print()

Classes

• containers for functions and data.
• concept of “inheritance”

class MyClass(object):
    def __init__(self,value):
        self.value = value
    def my_method(self):
        return self.value

Modules & Packages

• a “module”: is just another name for a python file
• a “package” is a set of modules made for sharing & distribution

import X
from X import Y
import X.Z
import X as A

Common Packages

Matlab-like powers

numpy, scipy, matplotlib

https://numpy.org/doc/stable/user/numpy-for-matlab-users.html

GUI development

pyQt, tkinter

Other

sympy,

Installing Packages

• pip
• conda
• “manually”