Reading:

prog ch 1
variables ch 2
strings ch 7

pp. 1-20

Download and install the Python language for the student's appropriate platform.

Type and run "the simplest possible program".

Quiz and problem set

Students will become familiar with the history of the python language and its place in the catalog of computer languages. Become familiar with the python.org website and the resources and documentation therein.

Demonstrate the ability to get "up and running" with python on one of the major computer operating systems.

• Types of variables: strings, numbers, booleans, and objects.
• Reading from the keyboard or a file; writing to a file.
• Control flow: branching and looping.
• Data structures: Lists as stacks, queues, sets and dictionaries.

Reading:

fxns ch 3
cond. ch 4
lists. ch 8
dicts. ch 10

Case study #1: Parse and gather statistics from web access logs (or similar text file)

Project assignment #1: Demonstrate variables, looping, and simple lists. Add feature to case study.

Students will practice using variables to store information.
Use variables to do mathematical calculations and to assemble chunks of text.
Students will use if and for statements to implement branching and looping.

Reading

fxns ch 5
iteration ch 6

Quiz and problem set.
Case study #2: Role playing game, black book, or other interactive text-based problem.
Project Assignment #2: Extend the case study to add or improve a feature.

Demonstrate the use of built-in functions (the Standard Library) to solve common problems. (For example: sort, filter, join and more.)
Demonstrate the ability to create new functions which accept input and perform a calculation.
Practice using predefined objects in the Python Standard Library and the functions defined by them.

Reading:

strings ch 7
files ch 11

other regex reading

Case study #3: A web page "scraper" that retrieves stock quotes or similar data
Project assignment #3: Modify scraper to retrieve students' choice of data.
Problem set.
Midterm exam

Students will gain familiarity with a subset of the built-in tools python provides to address common programming tasks.
Students will differentiate between "solved" tasks with built in solutions and those requiring custom work.

Reading

classes ch 12, 13, 14

Case study #4: Gathering / compiling statistics from a gene database, including unit tests. (or similar)
Project assignment #4: Quiz and problem set.

Students will demonstrate the use of regular expressions to perform a variety of text manipulation tasks.
Ability to construct a "test harness" to prove the correctness of code.
Familiarity with Test Driven Development as a methodology and as a habit.

Case study #5: Gather and organize statistics from public mapping (GIS) databases.
Project assignment #5: Compare 2 different approaches to case study #4 by program organization and clarity, execution speed, and complexity. Quiz.
Final project proposal.

Practice object-oriented programming techniques for organization and simplicity.
Ability to gather information about the python environment by examining existing objects and referring to inline documentation.
Ability to compare and evaluate potential solutions by speed and complexity.
Practice the design and construction of tests for both speed and correctness.

Code review of a 3rd party module: overview, description, caveats, and criticisms. Step-through its execution using the debugger.
Quiz.
First draft of final project, including unit tests.

Students will practice the use of exceptions for error handling.
Demonstrate the use of pdb (python debugger) to 'step' through programs and inspect variables during execution.
Students will relate platform-specific capabilities of python with corresponding compromises.
Distinguish between cross-platform compatibility and platform-specific solutions; debate the tradeoffs of each.
Inspect and evaluate code written by an unknown 3rd party.
Design a solution for a non-trivial project, including unit tests.

Quiz and problem set.
Continue work on final projects, progress report on final projects.

Ability to judge between effective and ineffective code.
Ability to recognize common problems, pitfalls, and mistakes.
Recognize the use of advanced techniques and judge their effectiveness.
Construct a solution to a non-trivial project.

Peer review / code review of student projects.
Final exam.

Judge the completeness, and correctness of student projects.
Evaluate specific blocks of student code for effectiveness.