Python

• Computing
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

Python 

Year 8 - Lesson 1 

Can you create some instructions for making a 'Cup of Tea'?

Where might we find instructions?

Why are we doing this? To show understanding of programme flow and structure. This allows us to learn to code and problem solve which is needed in any aspect of life.

By the end of this lesson you will be able to use the "print" function in Python and create a variable.

What is programming? Why do we need it?

Computers do not have their own brains, so we must tell them what we want them to do. This is where we use programming/coding!

The programming uses instructions,  like we have just established.

There are lots of programming languages, such as HTML, Python, C++, C and JavaScript. There are many more...

Python Programming

The first program, that any programmer produces, when learning how to code, is the "Hello World!" program.

It is a simple program, that displays text to the screen.

What is Syntax?

• The way we write a line of code is important, as the computer needs to recognise it.

• Think about our 'English'. It is important that we use correct punctuation, such as Commas and Full Stops. If we didn't, it would make our writing difficult to read.

• If we do not use the correct symbols and spellings in our Python coding, then the computer will not be-able to run our programs.

Create with Code

Click here

Copy the below code, then click 'RUN' in the bottom right corner.

Task 1: Use create with code to answer these 4 questions.

What is your first name?

What is your last name?

How old are you?

What school do you go to?

Commenting our code. What is the importance?

• By commenting our code,  it tells you (the programmer) and anyone else who looks at the code what it does.

• By using the '#' symbol, it will not display when your code has been run.

Below is an example

Task 2 

I now want you to add comments to each line of code that you have created.

What is debugging?

• Debugging code refers to the process of identifying and fixing errors, bugs, or defects in a computer program that we have created.
  

• An error occurs, when you have done something wrong in your program. You could have spelt something wrong or even missed out a symbol...

Debugging Continued...

Create with code, shows you where your error is. Below is a screenshot that shows this.

Task 3

In this task, you will need to debug the code using the error messages that create with code provide.

Click here

Variables 

• In programming, a variable is like a container that holds a piece of information. This information can be anything, like a number, a word, or even a whole sentence!

• For example, imagine you have a box that can hold a piece of fruit. You can put an apple in the box, and then later on, you can take the apple out and look at it. In programming, a variable is like that box. You can put information into the variable, and then you can use that information later on in your program.

• To use a variable, you first need to give it a name. This is like labelling the box with the word "apple" so you know what's inside. In programming, you can choose any name you want for your variable, as long as it follows certain rules. For example, the name can't have spaces in it, and it can't start with a number.

Let's look at how we would declare a variable

name = "bob"

print (name)

What's the difference between these two?

print (name)

print ("name")

How else can we use a Variable?

name = "bob"

print("my name is" , name)

Can you create your own?

Can you create your own sentence using a variable?

What symbol do I use to comment code?

What function do I use if I want someone to enter information?

What is the process of checking a program for errors?

1. Error checking
2. De-bugging
3. Error finding
4. Mistake finding

What type of information can be stored in a variable?

1. Only videos
2. Only sounds
3. Only pictures
4. Numbers, text, and other types of data