This lesson is an introduction to programming in Python for librarians with little or no previous programming experience. It uses examples that are relevant to a wide range of library use cases, and is designed to be used as a prerequisite lesson for other Python based lessons that will be developed in the future, e.g. using the Pandas for data analysis.
This lesson references the Spyder IDE, but can be taught using a regular Python interpreter as well. Please note that this lesson uses Python 3 rather than Python 2.
Under Design
This lesson is currently in its early design stage; please check the design notes to see what we have so far. Contributions are very welcome: we would be particularly grateful for exercises and for commentary on the ones already there.
Prerequisites
Learners need to understand what files and directories are, what a working directory is, and how to start a Python interpreter from a terminal window.
Learners must install Anaconda before the class starts.
Please see the setup instructions for details.
| Setup | Download files required for the lesson | |
| 09:00 | 1. Getting Started |
How do I use the Spyder IDE?
How can I run Python programs? |
| 09:15 | 2. Variables and Assignment | How can I store data in programs? |
| 09:35 | 3. Data Types and Type Conversion |
What kinds of data do programs store?
How can I convert one type to another? |
| 09:55 | 4. Built-in Functions and Help |
How can I use built-in functions?
How can I find out what they do? What kind of errors can occur in programs? |
| 10:20 | 5. Morning Coffee | Break |
| 10:35 | 6. Libraries |
How can I extend the capabilities of Python?
How can I use software that other people have written? How can I find out what that software does? |
| 10:55 | 7. Lunch | Break |
| 11:40 | 8. Lists | How can I store multiple values? |
| 12:00 | 9. For Loops | How can I make a program do many things? |
| 12:25 | 10. Writing Functions | How can I create my own functions? |
| 12:50 | 11. Variable Scope |
How do function calls actually work?
How can I determine where errors occurred? |
| 13:10 | 12. Afternoon Coffee | Break |
| 13:25 | 13. Conditionals | How can programs do different things for different data? |
| 13:50 | 14. Programming Style |
How can I make my programs more readable?
How do most programmers format their code? How can programs check their own operation? |
| 14:20 | 15. Wrap-Up |
What have we learned?
What else is out there and where do I find it? |
| 14:40 | 16. Feedback | How did the class go? |
| 14:55 | Finish |
The actual schedule may vary slightly depending on the topics and exercises chosen by the instructor.