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Small core, large library

Like Java, Python has a small compact core and a large, extensible library . Thus, much of what you will need to do has already been written and tested for you. Yourtask will be to write the code to glue those library components together, and to write new capabilities on an as-needed basis.

Let's Write a Program

Getting ready

Download and install the software

The first step is to go to (External Link) with your web browser. Download, and install the Python software using thedownload link that you will find there.

I'm going to assume that either you already know how to do this, or you can get help from a friend. In other words, I'm not going to try to explain how todownload and install the Python software.

Note: If you are working in an ACC computer lab on the Northridge campus, you don't need to download and install the Python software. It hasalready been installed. If you are working in an ACC computer lab on a different campus and you don't find the Python software, ask the lab manager to downloadand install it. If you are working on your computer at home, at some point you will need to download and install the Python software.

Starting the programming environment

As I mentioned earlier, all of my instructions will be based on the use of Python running on my Windows operating system.

However, as I also mentioned earlier, you have many choices for using Python. If you are running on some other platform, you will need to translate my instructionsfrom Windows jargon into the jargon of your platform.

Enough talk -- let's begin

Find the Start button on the task bar on your Windows desktop. Select

Start/All Programs/Python x.y

where x.y is the version of Python that you have downloaded and installed. At the time of this writing, I have version 3.4.1 installed on my computer, and theselection shows on the menu as Python 3.4.

What do you see?

When you make this selection, you should see a menu having at least the following five options :

  • IDLE (Python GUI)
  • Module Docs
  • Python (command line)
  • Python Manuals
  • Uninstall Python

The Python Manuals

Don't be bashful about selecting and reading the Module Docs and the Python Manuals. There is a wealth of information contained there, including a tutorial.

The library reference

A good way to get a feel for the breadth and power of Python is to select Python Manuals from the menu and then select the Library Reference link. (The Library Reference is also available online as of the time of this writing.)

Most of what you see there probably won't mean much to you at this point in time, but hopefully will be familiar territory after you complete this course.

IDLE (Python GUI)

Selecting IDLE (Python GUI) from the menu brings up a window titled "Python 3.4.1 Shell" on my computer. This is one of the interactive programming environments available with Python on MicrosoftWindows.

What does it look like ?

When you select IDLE (Python GUI) from the menu, you should see something like Figure 1 .

(Note to blind and visually impaired students: I don't know if you will find the Python Shell to be accessible. If not, don't worry. We will get to acommand-line version that should be accessible a little later.)

Questions & Answers

how does Neisseria cause meningitis
Nyibol Reply
what is microbiologist
Muhammad Reply
what is errata
Muhammad
is the branch of biology that deals with the study of microorganisms.
Ntefuni Reply
What is microbiology
Mercy Reply
studies of microbes
Louisiaste
when we takee the specimen which lumbar,spin,
Ziyad Reply
How bacteria create energy to survive?
Muhamad Reply
Bacteria doesn't produce energy they are dependent upon their substrate in case of lack of nutrients they are able to make spores which helps them to sustain in harsh environments
_Adnan
But not all bacteria make spores, l mean Eukaryotic cells have Mitochondria which acts as powerhouse for them, since bacteria don't have it, what is the substitution for it?
Muhamad
they make spores
Louisiaste
what is sporadic nd endemic, epidemic
Aminu Reply
the significance of food webs for disease transmission
Abreham
food webs brings about an infection as an individual depends on number of diseased foods or carriers dully.
Mark
explain assimilatory nitrate reduction
Esinniobiwa Reply
Assimilatory nitrate reduction is a process that occurs in some microorganisms, such as bacteria and archaea, in which nitrate (NO3-) is reduced to nitrite (NO2-), and then further reduced to ammonia (NH3).
Elkana
This process is called assimilatory nitrate reduction because the nitrogen that is produced is incorporated in the cells of microorganisms where it can be used in the synthesis of amino acids and other nitrogen products
Elkana
Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu Reply
Give Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu
advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal Reply
Prevent foreign microbes to the host
Abubakar
they provide healthier benefits to their hosts
ayesha
They are friends to host only when Host immune system is strong and become enemies when the host immune system is weakened . very bad relationship!
Mark
what is cell
faisal Reply
cell is the smallest unit of life
Fauziya
cell is the smallest unit of life
Akanni
ok
Innocent
cell is the structural and functional unit of life
Hasan
is the fundamental units of Life
Musa
what are emergency diseases
Micheal Reply
There are nothing like emergency disease but there are some common medical emergency which can occur simultaneously like Bleeding,heart attack,Breathing difficulties,severe pain heart stock.Hope you will get my point .Have a nice day ❣️
_Adnan
define infection ,prevention and control
Innocent
I think infection prevention and control is the avoidance of all things we do that gives out break of infections and promotion of health practices that promote life
Lubega
Heyy Lubega hussein where are u from?
_Adnan
en français
Adama
which site have a normal flora
ESTHER Reply
Many sites of the body have it Skin Nasal cavity Oral cavity Gastro intestinal tract
Safaa
skin
Asiina
skin,Oral,Nasal,GIt
Sadik
How can Commensal can Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
How can Commensal Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
all
Tesfaye
by fussion
Asiina
what are the advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal
what are the ways of control and prevention of nosocomial infection in the hospital
Micheal
what is inflammation
Shelly Reply
part of a tissue or an organ being wounded or bruised.
Wilfred
what term is used to name and classify microorganisms?
Micheal Reply
Binomial nomenclature
adeolu
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Source:  OpenStax, Itse 1359 introduction to scripting languages: python. OpenStax CNX. Jan 22, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11713/1.32
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