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Week 1: Setup, Python Basics, Data Types & Variables

Why Learn This?

Before building powerful applications with Python, it's essential to understand the fundamentals. Week 1 lays the groundwork for your development journey:

  • You’ll set up your tools like a professional developer.
  • You’ll write your first Python code and start thinking like a programmer.
  • You’ll learn the basic building blocks that every Python program uses.

Whether you're building web apps, analyzing data, or automating tasks, mastering Python basics is a non-negotiable first step.

Concepts & Notes

Tools of the Trade

Command Line Interface (CLI)

# Check Python version
python --version

# Navigate directories
cd ~/my-folder

# Copy file
cp file_1.txt file_2.txt

# Remove file
rm file_1.txt

# Create a new folder
mkdir new-folder

Git & GitHub

# Initialize Git
git init

# Add files and commit
git add <file_name>
git commit -m "Initial commit"

VSCode Tips

  • Install Python extension
  • Open Terminal in VSCode (Ctrl+) or (Ctrl`)
  • Use IntelliSense for auto-completion - but not too much!
  • Do not use any other AI-assist tools while learning

Python Basics

Hello World

print("Hello, world!")

Comments

# This is a comment - it is ignored by the Python interpreter

How Python Thinks

  • Top to bottom, left to right
  • Indentation matters (4 spaces, not tabs)
  • Readability counts!

Variables & Data Types

Variables store values:

name = "Coder"
age = 30
is_student = True

Data Types

# String
message = "Hello"

# Integer
count = 10

# Float
price = 19.99

# Boolean
is_valid = False

Type Checking

print(type(name))  # <class 'str'>

Dynamic Typing Python doesn't require you to declare variable types ahead of time.

Quiz – Week 1

  1. What command checks your Python version in the CLI?

  2. What symbol is used for comments in Python?

  3. What is the data type of: 10.5?

  4. What is the output of type("5")?

  5. True or False: Python uses curly braces for blocks of code.

  6. Which of the following is a valid variable name?

Coding Challenges – Week 1

Challenge 1: Print Your Name

Instructions: Write a Python program that prints your full name to the screen using the print() function.

Learning Objective: Practice writing your first line of Python code and get comfortable using the print() function to output text.

# TODO: Replace "Coder" with your name
print("My name is Coder")

Challenge 2: Create and Print Variables

Instructions: Create two variables: one to store your name, and one to store your age. Then, print both variables in a single line.

Learning Objective: Learn how to declare variables and output multiple values using print().

# TODO: Store your name and age in variables and print them

Challenge 3: Calculate Area of a Rectangle

Instructions: Create two variables: length and width. Assign them numeric values. Calculate the area of the rectangle and print the result.

Learning Objective: Apply mathematical operations to variables and output the result.

# TODO: Change the values and calculate area = length × width

Challenge 4: Concatenate Strings

Instructions: Create two variables, first and second, and assign them string values. Use string concatenation to combine them into one message.

Learning Objective: Understand string manipulation and how to join strings together.

# TODO: Replace with your own words

Challenge 5: Use type() Function

Instructions: Assign a value to a variable and use the type() function to check and print its data type.

Learning Objective: Learn how Python identifies different types of data (e.g., strings, integers, floats, booleans).

# TODO: Try different data types like True, "Hello", 99, 3.14

Challenge 6: Use Boolean Logic

Instructions: Create a boolean variable called is_logged_in and set it to either True or False. Then use print() to display a message that includes the value of this variable.

Learning Objective: Understand and use boolean data types and simple logic.

# TODO: Set is_logged_in to either True or False

Week 1 Summary

  • You installed your Python dev tools and learned how to use the CLI, Git, and VSCode.
  • You wrote your first Python script and understood how Python executes code.
  • You practiced declaring variables and using different data types (strings, numbers, booleans).
  • You’ve started thinking like a software engineer by solving small problems programmatically.

For Next Week

Reading

Assignments

First:

Then, complete the following exercises: (in VSCode)

  • 03_build-something -- all exercises
  • 04_machine-setup -- all exercises
  • 05_intro-to-programming -- all exercises
  • 06_variables-and-types -- all exercises