MIT 6-189-a-gentle-introduction-to-programming-using-python

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#	TOPICS	HANDOUTS AND EXAMPLES
1	Introduction	Getting started (PDF) raw_input_example.py (PY)
2	Conditionals, loops	How to comment code properly (PDF) height_example.py (PY) conditional_examples.py (PY) loop_examples.py (PY)
3	Defining functions	lecture3.py (PY) functions.py (PY) check_for_vowels.py (PY)
4	Strings, lists, list comprehensions	string_examples.py (PY) list_examples.py (PY) comprehension_examples.py (PY) Additional Material Two examples of a rock-paper-scissors program: rps_example1.py (PY) rps_example2.py (PY) How to use while-else loops (suggestion: don't use them at all, but if you do be aware they work differently than you might think): while_else.py (PY)
Optional lecture	Recursion	Recursion notes (PDF) Recursion examples (PY) Optional problems (PDF) Solutions to optional problems (PY)
5	Tuples, dictionaries, common Python mistakes	tuple_examples.py (PY) Remember that the keys of a dictionary must be immutable objects, but the values of a dictionary can be either immutable or mutable objects. Common Python mistakes and misconceptions (PDF)
6	Classes	point.py (PY)
7	More about classes	wheel.py (PY)
8	Inheritance	inheritance_examples.py (PY) READINGS his section includes the online textbook and a schedule of readings by session. Textbook Downey, Allen, Jeffrey Elkner, and Chris Meyers. How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python. Green Tea Press, 2002. ISBN: 9780971677500. (PDF - 1.0MB) If you have trouble accessing the textbook, or don't want to download the whole PDF, try the individual chapters: Chapter 1: The way of the program Chapter 2: Variables, expressions and statements Chapter 3: Functions Chapter 4: Conditionals and recursion Chapter 5: Fruitful functions Chapter 6: Iteration Chapter 7: Strings Chapter 8: Lists Chapter 9: Tuples Chapter 10: Dictionaries Chapter 12: Classes and objects Chapter 13: Classes and functions Chapter 14: Classes and methods Chapter 16: Inheritance Appendix A: Debugging (important!) The lectures stick with the order of the textbook for the most part, but not always. Readings by Session Readings are from How to Think Like a Computer Scientist unless otherwise noted. LEC # READINGS 1 Chapters 1 and 2, section 4.12 2 Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.4-4.7, and 6.1-6.2 3 Chapter 3, appendix A, sections 6.5-6.9 Sections 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 (up to the heading "Lists") from the 6.01 course notes 4 Chapters 7 and 8 Chapter 2 from "Lists" on, from the 6.01 course notes More on list comprehensions is available here and on Wikipedia. 5 Chapters 9 and 10 6 Chapters 12-14 (read chapter 14 well; get through at least section 14.6) This tutorial on classes may also be helpful. 7 Finish chapters 12-14; read chapter 16 8 Wikipedia: Conway's Game of Life (Project 2) 9-11 For the final week, make sure you know and understand chapters 12-14 and 16. Chapters 11, 15, 18, 19, and 20 are very interesting, but not covered in this course; take 6.01, 6.042, and 6.006 to learn more about programming and data structures