Python Basics Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the introductory concepts of Python programming, including data types, operators, and syntax.

Python

A high-level, interpreted, general-purpose programming language known for its readable syntax, used in web development, data analysis, and AI.

Interpreted

A characteristic of Python where code runs line by line via the Python interpreter without requiring a separate compile step.

Dynamically typed

A system where a variable's type is determined by Python at runtime rather than being declared explicitly by the programmer.

Indentation-based

A syntax rule where whitespace (indentation) is used to define code blocks instead of curly braces.

Variable

A name that refers to a value stored in memory, which is created the moment a value is first assigned to it.

snake_case

The naming convention for Python variables and function names where words are separated by underscores.

$$int$$

A basic data type representing whole numbers, positive or negative, such as $42$.

$$float$$

A basic data type representing numbers with a decimal point, such as $3.14$.

$$str$$

A basic data type representing text as a sequence of characters enclosed in single or double quotes.

$$bool$$

A logical data type that represents one of two values: $True$ or $False$.

$$list$$

An ordered, mutable collection of items, represented as $[1, 2, 3]$.

$$tuple$$

An ordered, immutable collection of items, represented as $(1, 2, 3)$.

$$dict$$

A data type consisting of key-value pairs, represented as $\{'a': 1\}$.

$$set$$

An unordered collection of unique values, represented as $\{1, 2, 3\}$.

$$NoneType$$

A type representing 'no value' or the absence of a value, used with the keyword $None$.

$$type()$$

A built-in function used to check the class or data type of a specific value or variable.

Floor division ($//$)

An arithmetic operator that divides two numbers and rounds the result down to the nearest whole number, e.g., $5 // 2$ equals $2$.

Modulus ($\%$)

An arithmetic operator that returns the remainder of a division, e.g., $5 \% 2$ equals $1$.

Exponent ($**$)

An arithmetic operator used for power calculations, e.g., $5 ** 2$ equals $25$.

Augmented assignment

Shortcuts for modifying variables, such as $x += 5$, which is equivalent to $x = x + 5$.

Immutable

A property of strings meaning their contents cannot be changed in place once they are created.

Indexing

The process of accessing a single character in a string using its position, represented by square brackets, e.g., $message[0]$.

Slicing

The process of accessing a range of characters in a string, represented as $message[0:5]$.

f-strings

Formatted string literals that allow embedding expressions inside string literals using curly braces, e.g., $f"\{name\} is \{age\}"$.

Comparison Operators

Operators such as $==$, $!=$, $>$, $<$, $>=$ and $<=$, which compare values and return a boolean result.

Logical Operators

Operators such as $and$, $or$, and $not$ used to combine or modify boolean values.

Type Conversion (Casting)

The process of explicitly converting a value from one data type to another using functions like $int()$, $float()$, and $str()$.

Comments

Text in the code meant for humans that is ignored by the interpreter, starting with # for single lines or triple quotes for multiple lines.

$$input()$$

A built-in function that pauses the program to read text typed by the user, always returning the data as a string.