Keyword Notes from the Python Tutorial Transcript:
Introduction
Python as fast as possible
Not for absolute beginners
Resources linked below
Comment for feedback
Setup & Installation
Download Python (most recent version)
Add Python to PATH
Visual Studio Code (text editor)
Install Python extension in VS Code
What Python is Used For
General-purpose programming language
Easy to learn, versatile, simple syntax
Web development
Machine learning, AI, data science
Data Types
Integer (int): Whole numbers (e.g., 2, -9)
Float (float): Numbers with decimal points (e.g., 2.0, 9.7)
String (str): Text surrounded by quotes (e.g., "hello", 'world')
Boolean (bool): True or False
Output & Printing
print() function
Strings must be wrapped in quotes
Print multiple items with commas
Variables
Store values (e.g., x = 5)
Naming conventions: No special characters, no starting with numbers, use underscores
(snake_case)
User Input
input() function
Example: name = input("Enter your name: ")
Arithmetic Operators
Addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/)
Exponentiation (**), modulus (%)
String Methods
.upper(): Convert to uppercase
.lower(): Convert to lowercase
.capitalize(): Capitalize first letter
.count(): Count occurrences of a substring
Conditional Operators
== (equal), != (not equal), <, >, <=, >=
Logical operators: and, or, not
If/Else/Elif
Syntax:
if condition:
# code
elif condition:
# code
else:
# code
Collections
List : Ordered, mutable (e.g., [1, "hello", True])
Tuple : Ordered, immutable (e.g., (1, 2, 3))
Set : Unordered, unique elements (e.g., {1, 2, 3})
Dictionary : Key-value pairs (e.g., {"key": "value"})
Loops
For Loop :
for i in range(10):
print(i)
While Loop :
while condition:
# code
Comprehensions
List comprehension:
[i for i in range(10)]
Dictionary comprehension:
python
Copy
{i: 0 for i in range(5)}
Functions
Define with def:
def func(x, y):
return x + y
Arguments can be positional or keyword-based
Use *args and **kwargs for variable arguments
Scope
Local vs. global variables
global keyword (use sparingly)
Exceptions
Raise exceptions with raise
Handle exceptions with try and except
Lambda Functions
Anonymous one-liner functions:
lambda x: x + 5
Map and Filter
map(function, iterable)
filter(function, iterable)
F-Strings
Embed expressions in strings:
python
name = "Tim"
print(f"Hello, {name}")
Conclusion
Covered basics quickly
Missed topics: OOP, advanced features
Resources linked for further learning
Keyword Notes:
1. Functions
First-class objects : Functions can be treated like variables (assigned, passed,
returned).
Defining function inside function : Nested functions.
Closure : Inner function "remembers" the environment (variables) from the outer
function.
Returning function : Function can return another function without calling it.
Delay execution : Execution of returned function can be delayed until explicitly
called.
Callbacks : Passing functions as arguments for later invocation.
Decorators : Modifying or extending behavior of functions.
Dynamic Function Creation : Generating specialized functions based on input.
2. Arguments Handling
*args : Collects extra positional arguments into a tuple.
**kwargs : Collects extra keyword arguments into a dictionary.
Positional arguments : Arguments passed in order.
Keyword arguments : Named arguments passed with key=value.
Tuple : Ordered collection used by *args.
Dictionary : Key-value pairs used by **kwargs.
Unpacking : Using * or ** to expand elements.
Packing : Using * or ** to collect multiple arguments.
3. Scope and Variables
Nested functions : Defined within another function.
Static variables : Simulated using function attributes or class variables.
Function attributes : Attaching variables to functions (e.g., my_function.x = 10).
Class variables : Shared across instances of a class.
hasattr() : Checks if an object has a specific attribute.
SyntaxError : Raised due to incorrect syntax (e.g., invalid use of **).
TypeError : Raised when an operation is applied to an inappropriate type.
4. Merging Dictionaries
**{**dict1, dict2} : Combines dictionaries into a new one.
print(dict) : Prints both keys and values of a dictionary.
[Link]() : Returns a view object of dictionary keys.
[Link]() : Returns a view object of dictionary values.
5. Print Behavior
print() : Accepts any number of arguments and prints them.
sep, end, file : Valid keyword arguments for print().
Unexpected keyword argument : Error when passing invalid keywords to print().
6. Code Examples and Errors
IndentationError : Caused by incorrect indentation.
Semicolons : Optional in Python; misuse can lead to errors.
Invalid unpacking : Using ** outside valid contexts like function calls or dictionary
merging.
7. Practical Use Cases
Passing arguments : Using *args and **kwargs for flexible function signatures.
Unpacking in function calls : Expanding lists/tuples and dictionaries into arguments.
Combining packing and unpacking : Efficient handling of mixed argument types.