Exam Prep: Key Concepts and Tools Review

Exam Structure and Study Tips

  • Exam Format:

    • Tests are in two parts: Canvas exam (true/false, multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank) and programming.

    • No AI allowed on either part.

    • Ample time is provided; not restricted to just 50 minutes per part.

  • Third Exam Special Arrangement:

    • Test 3 Part 2 (coding) will be done in class on December 12.

    • Test 3 Part 1 (Canvas) will be taken during finals week.

    • This ensures students know their final course grade immediately upon submitting the Canvas portion.

    • Rule: No exam worth more than 10\% of the final grade in the last week of class.

  • Study Best Practices:

    • For Canvas exam parts, focus on class notes.

    • Read every page, do homework, attend lectures, and understand concepts.

    • Avoid obscure details (e.g., picture captions).

    • Instructor does not publish notes; taking personal notes aids memory and engagement.

Assignments and Tools

  • Attendance & Quizzes:

    • Attendance via seating chart (a quick quiz may be used).

    • Take-home quiz: Use Colab print() function with multiple string arguments for name/schedule.

    • Reading quiz due Friday before 8 \text{AM}: Use PowerPoints for help (located under Files > PowerPoint).

  • Integrated Development Environments (IDEs):

    • Definition: Integrated Development Environment.

    • Colab:

      • Web-based IDE.

      • Used for downloading and utilizing Python library packages (Penn State computers block downloads for IDLE).

      • Slightly slower due to being web-based.

      • More sophisticated than IDLE.

      • Will be used almost exclusively later in the course for package functionality.

    • IDLE:

      • Free desktop download, not web-based, fast.

      • Good for coding basics.

      • Downloading library packages is cumbersome (or impossible on Penn State lab computers).

      • Versions: Penn State uses 3.9.7; newer 3.13 exists but differences are minor.

      • Exam Requirement: Must use Penn State computers for exams; no laptops allowed (for AI blocking).

  • Note-Taking Tool:

    • Instructor uses Notepad (basic text editor) for class notes.

    • Recommended over Word to avoid formatting issues (e.g., smart quotes) when copying code to Python.

Python Concepts

  • Case Sensitivity:

    • Python is case-sensitive (e.g., print() works, PRINT() generates an error).

    • Applies to commands and variable names.

  • Variables:

    • Cannot contain spaces in their names (use underscores for multi-word names, e.g., tax\_amount).

  • IDLE Modes:

    • Interactive Mode:

      • Executes one line of code immediately after \text{Enter} is pressed.

      • Python is interpreted line-by-line.

      • Previous lines of code cannot be edited or rerun directly.

      • Changing a variable requires manually retyping all dependent calculations.

      • Used rarely in class for quick checks.

    • Script Mode:

      • Allows typing an entire program before running it.

      • Will be the primary mode used for programming in class.

      • Even in script mode, Python is still interpreted line-by-line during execution.

  • Interpreted vs. Compiled Languages:

    • Interpreted (Python): Each line of code is translated to machine language and then executed.

    • Compiled (e.g., C++): The entire program is translated to machine language first, then executed as a whole.

  • Pseudocode: