Lab #3: Introduction to Computer Programming

Lab #3: Introduction to Computer Programming

Lab Objective

• The primary purpose of this lab is to familiarize students with:

  • Creating functions.

  • Assigning function output to a variable when the function returns.

  • Gaining more practice using loops.

  • Further practice with the 'turtle' library.

General Instructions and Deliverables

• Tasks can be completed in any order.

• See the 'Grading Items' section for point distribution.

• Citation Guidelines:

  • Exercises adapted from "How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Interactive Edition" (Jeffrey Elkner et al.) are indicated by [thinkcspy X.Y], where X is the chapter and Y is the section number.

    • Available at: https://runestone.academy/ns/books/published/thinkcspy/index.html?mode=browsing

    • Accessed: 2-2-2023

  • Original exercises by the instructor are indicated by [MH].

  • Ensure all new functions include appropriate citations.

Lecture Notes/Supplemental Readings (Required for Engineering Notebook)

• These notes should be completed before the lab period.

• If lecture notes were taken in class, Runestone chapter notes are not required as the content overlaps.

• Required Materials:

  • Runestone chapter 6.

    • Note: Completing exercises at the end of Runestone chapters is optional but helpful long-term.

  • Debugging.pptx (Available: 'Files' -> 'SupplimentalSlidesand_Files' folder on Canvas).

  • Debugging_in_VS_Code.pptx (Available: 'Files' -> 'SupplimentalSlidesand_Files' folder on Canvas).

  • "What Does if name == "main" Do in Python?" - by: Martin Breuss.

    • Available: https://realpython.com/if-name-main-python/

Code Conversion pt. 1 [MH]

• Objective: Convert existing scripts from Lab Week 3 into functions.

• Files to Convert: areaOfRectangle.py, rectanglePerimeter.py, areaOfCircle.py, circleCircumference.py, distanceSpeedTime.py, velocityAccelerationTime.py, calculateVoltage.py, calculateResistance.py, calculateCurrent.py, annualPercentageRate.py, compoundAmount.py (all except initials.py).

• Procedure:

  1. Copy these files into a new folder.

  2. For each script, create a new script that uses a function to calculate its output instead of performing calculations at the global scope.

  3. Function Naming: The function in each script should be named according to the file name (e.g., areaOfRectangle.py should have an areaOfRectangle() function).

  4. Parameters: Functions should take input values as parameters.

  5. Citations: Include citations inside these new functions.

  6. main() Function: Use a main() function, similar to Runestone section 6.8.

  7. Entry Point: Use the if __name__ == "__main__": version as seen in Runestone activity 6.8.2.

  8. Call main(): Call main() inside the if __name__ == "__main__": statement.

  9. Input Collection: Collect user input inside the main() function.

  10. Function Call & Return: Call the new function (e.g., areaOfRectangle(width, height)) and pass input values. Collect the return value in a new variable back in main() (e.g., answer = areaOfRectangle(width, height)).

  11. Print Results: Print the calculation results (e.g., print("The answer is:", answer)).

• Example Reference: Refer to myFunctionExample.py for structural details.

• Saving: Save updated code to the original file names. Each file must include your name, code creation date, lab number, and a brief description.

randomProduct.py [thinkcspy 5.7]

• Objective: Create a function to calculate the product of 'a' random numbers within a given range.

• Inputs: Three integers from the user: a, b, and c.

• Function: randomProduct(a, b, c).

  • Takes a, b, and c as input parameters.

  • Uses the randrange() function to calculate the product of a random numbers.

  • The random numbers should be in the range between b through c + 1 (non-inclusive for randrange(), meaning b to c inclusive).

    • Example: If $a = 5$, $b = 1$, $c = 6$, product of 5 random numbers between 1 and 6 inclusive (argument for randrange() would be $7$ because $6 + 1 = 7$).

    • Example: If $a = 3$, $b = 2$, $c = 5$, a possible calculation could be $3 * 5 * 4$ (three random numbers from the range).

  • Hint: A for loop will be involved.

  • Hint: Import the random module.

  • Assumption: User provides proper input, meaning b <= c is always true.

• main() Function Structure: Follow standard main() and if __name__ == "__main__": format.

• Input Collection: Collect a, b, c in main().

• Function Call & Return: Call randomProduct(a, b, c) and store the return value (e.g., answer = randomProduct(a, b, c)).

• Print Results: Print the answer.

• Example Reference: Refer to myFunctionExample.py.

• Saving: Save code to randomProduct.py, including name, date, lab number, and description.

sqrtIter.py [thinkcspy 6.13]

• Objective: Implement an iterative method to calculate the square root of a number.

• Review Source: https://www.cuemath.com/algebra/square-root-of-2/ (accessed 2-2-2023).

  • Specifically, the