Introduction to Programming

Syllabus

1. Module 1

   Programs and the Python Execution Model

   • What Programs Compute
   • Source Code, Interpreters, and Execution
   • Expressions and Evaluation Order
   • Names, Objects, and Assignment
   • Types, Values, and Runtime Errors

2. Module 2

   Numbers, Text, and Representation

   • Integer Arithmetic and Operator Precedence
   • Floating-Point Representation and Rounding
   • Strings, Characters, and Unicode
   • Conversions, Parsing, and Formatting
   • Boolean Values and Truthiness

3. Module 3

   Conditional Control Flow

   • Comparisons and Boolean Algebra
   • If, Elif, and Else
   • Nested Decisions and Guard Clauses
   • Conditional Expressions and Short-Circuiting
   • Designing Complete Decision Logic

4. Module 4

   Iteration and State

   • While Loops as State Transitions
   • For Loops and Iterable Objects
   • Ranges, Indices, and Enumeration
   • Loop Invariants and Termination
   • Nested Loops and Structured Iteration

5. Module 5

   Functions and Abstraction

   • Defining and Calling Functions
   • Parameters, Arguments, and Return Values
   • Local Scope and Call Frames
   • Contracts, Preconditions, and Postconditions
   • Functional Decomposition and Cohesion

6. Module 6

   Collections and Data Modeling

   • Lists and Dynamic Sequences
   • Tuples and Immutable Records
   • Dictionaries and Key–Value Models
   • Sets and Membership
   • Nested Collections and Data Shape

7. Module 7

   Mutation, Identity, and Program State

   • Mutability and Immutability
   • Aliasing and Shared References
   • Equality, Identity, and Hashability
   • Shallow and Deep Copying
   • Side Effects and State Management

8. Module 8

   Input, Files, and Structured Data

   • Console Input and Output
   • Text Files and Context Managers
   • Paths and Filesystem Operations
   • CSV Data and Tabular Records
   • JSON and Nested Structured Data

9. Module 9

   Errors, Debugging, and Testing

   • Exceptions and Error Propagation
   • Designing Useful Error Handling
   • Debugging with Traces and Breakpoints
   • Assertions and Defensive Programming
   • Unit Tests, Boundaries, and Test Design

10. Module 10

    Modules, Objects, Recursion, and Scale

    • Modules, Imports, and Packages
    • Classes, Instances, and Encapsulation
    • Methods and Representation Invariants
    • Recursion and the Call Stack
    • Introductory Runtime and Space Growth