1. 142-253 Computer Programming
BSc in Digital Media, PSUIC
Aj. Andrew Davison, CoE, PSU Hat Yai Campus
1. Starting

2. 0. Computers and Programs
A computer is a machine that stores data.
A program is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do with the data.

3. Why Learn to Program? Makes you a clever user of computers It's fun!
You make stuff (programs) that do things
Helps you learn problem solving skills
Programmers get jobs

4. Why Learn Python?
The Python programming language is aimed at beginners
It's easy to learn and use
Powerful
Lots of program libraries
Free
Runs on everything
Lots of users; lots of help online
Used in the real world

6. 1. Installing Python on your PC
1. Go to the Python webpage
2. Download version (or higher)
3. Wait a while ...
4. Start Installer
5. Click PATH and press "Install Now"
6. Click "Close" at end
7. Check the Menu for Python

7. Python Webpage
click
here

8. Python Download Page
click
here

9. Wait for Installer to Appear on your PC

10. Start Installer
click
here

11. Click PATH & Press "Install Now"

12. Setup in Progress

13. Press Close at End of Installer

14. Check the Menu for Python

15. 2. Starting Python There are lots of ways of starting Python
from the Python menu, start IDLE (a Python editor)
from the Python menu, start Python
start Python from the Windows command line
(2) and (3) start the same Python
The easiest

16. 2.1. Start IDLE (a Python editor)

17. Inside IDLE I typed help() and <enter> to start "help"
I typed quit to leave "help" but still be in IDLE

18. Get Python to do Things
I typed these and <enter>

19. Some Math Operations no fraction part
remainder
2 to the power 5
no fraction part
and ( ... ) around the maths, if you want

20. Some Maths to Try

21. Leaving IDLE and Python

22. Other Ways to Leave IDLE
>>>
exit()
Any one
of these
>>>
quit()
There are various ways to quit interactive Python. There are two commands which are equivalent for our purposes: quit() and exit(), but the simplest is the key sequence [Ctrl]+[D].
>>>
Ctrl D +

23. 2.2. Start Python (but no editor)

24. Inside Python I typed help() and <enter> to start "help"
I typed quit to leave "help" but still be in Python
I typed ctrl-Z and <enter> to leave Python

25. Start Python from Windows Command Line
Start Windows "Command Prompt" program

26. 2.3. Start Python in the Command Window
I typed python and <enter> to start "python"

27. Leaving Python in the Command Window
I typed help() and <enter> to start "help"
I typed quit to leave "help" but still be in Python
I typed ctrl-Z and <enter> to leave Python but still be in the Command Window

28. 3. Programming with Python in IDLE

30. 4. Writing a Python Program
1. Start IDLE
2. Create a new program file
3. Write a Python program into the file
4. Save the program file.
give the file a name, e.g. test1
5. Check the file is on your PC

31. Create a new Program File

32. Write a Program into the File

33. Save the program file

34. Type in a File name
I'm saving the file as "test1" on the Desktop

35. Check the file is on your PC
The file is called "test1.py" on the Desktop

36. 5. Running your Program Two ways: run your program inside IDLE
run your program in the Command Window

37. 5.1. Running your Program in IDLE

38. Open (Load) test1.py

39. Run the program using "Run Module" (F5)

40. Python Runs (Executes) your Program

41. 5.2. Run from the Command Prompt
I typed cd Desktop to move to the desktop
This is the program running.
I typed python test1.py to run the program

42. 6. Python Documentation (docs)

43. Or from Help in IDLE

44. The First Doc Page