Python Programming Fundamentals (Modules 1-4)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Python basics, data types, operators, functions, and data structures based on the provided lecture notes.

Alphabet

A set of symbols used to build words of a certain language.

Lexis

A set of words that a language offers its users.

Syntax

A set of rules used to determine if a certain string of words forms a valid sentence.

Semantics

A set of rules determining if a certain phrase makes sense.

Compilation

A process where the source program is translated once by getting a file containing the machine code.

Interpretation

A process where the source program is translated each time it has to be run by an interpreter.

Guido van Rossum

The creator of the Python programming language.

IDLE

Stands for Integrated Development and Learning Environment.

Editor

A component that supports users in writing code.

Console

A tool that launches code and forces it to stop when exceptions are reached.

Debugger

A tool used to launch code and execute it step-by-step to inspect each part as it runs.

Functions

Blocks of code that take in arguments, execute a task, and return a result.

Literals

Notations used for representing fixed values in code.

Binary System

A base $2$ system utilized by computers made up of $0\text{s}$ and $1\text{s}$.

Integers

A data type that holds a whole number without its fractional part, such as $5$.

Floating-Point

A data type that contains a decimal fraction, such as $5.7$.

Strings

Plain text stored in quotation or apostrophe marks.

Boolean

A data type representing truthfulness, consisting of True and False.

Floor Division ($//$)

An operator that divides two numbers and returns the largest whole number.

Modulus ($\%$)

An operator that returns the remainder of a division.

Exponentiation ($**$)

An operator that raises the first value to the power of the second value.

Variable Name Rules

Must be composed of letters, digits, and underscores, and must begin with a letter or an underscore.

Typecasting

The process of allowing data to change from one type to another using functions like $str()$, $int()$, or $float()$.

Replication

The process of using the $*$ operator to replicate strings, such as $\text{Panda} \times 3$ resulting in PandaPandaPanda.

Equality Operator ($==$)

Compares the values of two operands and returns True if they are equal.

Inequality Operator ($!=$)

Compares the values of two operands and returns True if they are not equal.

Infinite Loops

A set of instructions which repeat indefinitely during program execution.

List

An ordered and mutable collection of comma-separated items contained within square brackets.

Built-in functions

Functions that are an integral part of Python and are always available, such as $print()$.

User-defined functions

Functions written by users using the $def$ keyword to perform specific tasks.

Parameters

Variables that exist only inside the functions in which they have been defined.

return instruction

An instruction used to transport an expression's value to the place where a function was invoked.

None

A keyword that represents the absence of a value; functions implicitly return this if no other value is specified.

Global keyword

A keyword used to extend a variable's scope to include a function's body, allowing the function to modify variables defined outside it.

Recursion

A programming technique where a function invokes itself.

Sequence type

A type of data in Python able to store multiple values that can be scanned sequentially by a for loop.

Mutability

A property of Python data describing whether it can be freely changed during program execution.

Tuples

Immutable sequence types that typically use parentheses and require a trailing comma if they contain only one element.

Dictionary Keys

Unique identifiers in a dictionary that, when removed, also cause the removal of the associated value.

Bug

A manifestation of an error in the code that results in undesirable behavior.