Programming Basics

Foundation in core programming concepts and practices

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Course Overview

This course is designed to introduce complete beginners to the world of programming. Through hands-on examples and simplified explanations, learners will build a foundation in core programming concepts and practices. By the end of the course, students will have developed a mental model for how various technologies, particularly web technologies, interconnect and will be prepared to advance to more specialized or in-depth studies.

Learning Objectives

Familiarity with Basic Programming Concepts

• Understand the purpose and nature of programming.
• Learn how to read and write simple code segments.
• Grasp fundamental data types (integers, floats, booleans, and strings) and how to perform arithmetic and logical operations.

Proficiency in Simple Control Flow

• Write and interpret conditional statements (if-else).
• Use loops (for, while) effectively to process data or repeat tasks.
• Understand common control-flow pitfalls and how to debug them.

Introduction to Essential Tools

• Install and configure a code editor or IDE.
• Gain a basic understanding of version control (Git/GitHub).
• Develop good habits in file organization and reading documentation.

High-Level Understanding of Internet Fundamentals (Optional)

• Recognize how DNS works.
• Appreciate the significance of HTTP, HTTPS, and TLS.
• Form a mental map for how applications communicate over the internet.

Confidence and Preparedness for Next Steps

• Get comfortable writing basic scripts and exploring documentation.
• Map out the next steps in web development or other specialized programming fields.

Notes from knowledge check:

def sort_library_books(books):
    # Separate into two categories
    available_books = []
    borrowed_books = []
    pass
    

# usage:
if __name__ == "__main__":
    books = {
        "1984": {
            "author": "George Orwell",
            "borrowed": True,
            "borrower": "Student_A"
        },
        "Pride and Prejudice": {
            "author": "Jane Austen",
            "borrowed": False,
            "borrower": None
        },
        "The Great Gatsby": {
            "author": "F. Scott Fitzgerald",
            "borrowed": True,
            "borrower": "Student_B"
        },
        "To Kill a Mockingbird": {
            "author": "Harper Lee",
            "borrowed": False,
            "borrower": None
        }
    }
    
    sort_library_books(books)