Python - #1 - The Basics
1. Start with Commenting
Programmers write A LOT of code. They need to understand exactly what they have written, especially if they are working as part of a team or returning to code after working on other projects.
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To help them understand what they have written, programmers use comments to annotate (explain) their code.
Task 1 - Create a new Python program and use # to write a comment that says your name and the date. Save the file as 1-Basics.py
In Python, type the # symbol then your message to write a comment.
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Comments are not printed when you run a program!
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It is a good idea to start every program with a comment, so you know what the program is about.
2. Printing to the Screen
The most basic and common command you will use in Python is print.
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Inside the print brackets, you can write a message within speech marks.
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Your print command should turn purple - don't use any capital letters in Python unless it is inside speech marks!
Task 2 - Write a nice message by using the print command, brackets and speech marks.
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Press F5 to run your program.
3. More Printing
You can write multiple print lines one after another to print on different lines.
Task 3 - Add two more print lines to your program. You can choose any message that you like.
4. New Lines
You can use the special command \n to start a new line. This allows you to write on multiple lines but only use one print line.
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Use the backslash ( \ ) not the forward-slash ( / ).
Task 4 - Use \n to write a 3 sentence conversation in only one line of code.
Challenge Programs
Use everything that you have learned on this page to help you create these programs...
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Challenge Task 1 - Days of the Week
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Create a new Python program. Save it as '1-Week.py'
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Add a comment at the top with your name and the date.
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Create a program that prints the days of the week, with each day on a new line.
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BONUS: Try to use only one print line.
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BONUS: Have no empty spaces at the start of each line.
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When you run it, it should look like this:
Challenge Task 2 - Conversation
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Create a new Python program. Save it as '1-Conversation.py'
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Add a comment at the top with your name and the date.
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Create a program that prints a 6-line conversation between two people. It is up to you what these two people are talking about.
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BONUS: Try to use only one print line.
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BONUS: Have no empty spaces at the start of each line.
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When you run it, it could look something like this:
