Problem Solving and Python Programming

GE3151

PROBLEM SOLVING AND PYTHON PROGRAMMING

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To understand the basics of algorithmic problem solving.

• To learn to solve problems using Python conditionals and loops.

• To define Python functions and use function calls to solve problems.

• To use Python data structures - lists, tuples, dictionaries to represent complex data.

• To do input/output with files in Python.

UNIT I

COMPUTATIONAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

Fundamentals of Computing - Identification of Computational Problems -Algorithms, building blocks of algorithms (statements, state, control flow, functions), notation (pseudo code, flow chart, programming language), algorithmic problem solving, simple strategies for developing algorithms (iteration, recursion). Illustrative problems: find minimum in a list, insert a card in a list of sorted cards, guess an integer number in a range, Towers of Hanoi.

UNIT II

DATA TYPES, EXPRESSIONS, STATEMENTS WLEDGE

Python interpreter and interactive mode, debugging; values and types: int, float, boolean, string, and list; variables, expressions, statements, tuple assignment, precedence of operators, comments; Illustrative programs: exchange the values of two variables, circulate the values of n variables, distance between two points.

UNIT III

CONTROL FLOW, FUNCTIONS, STRINGS

Conditionals: Boolean values and operators, conditional (if), alternative (if-else), chained conditional (if- elif-else); Iteration: state, while, for, break, continue, pass; Fruitful functions: return values, parameters, local and global scope, function composition, recursion; Strings: string slices, immutability, string functions and methods, string module; Lists as arrays. Illustrative programs: square root, gcd, exponentiation, sum an array of numbers, linear search, binary search.

UNIT IV

LISTS, TUPLES, DICTIONARIES

Lists: list operations, list slices, list methods, list loop, mutability, aliasing, cloning lists, list parameters; Tuples: tuple assignment, tuple as return value; Dictionaries: operations and methods; advanced list processing list comprehension; Illustrative programs: simple sorting, histogram, Students marks statement. Retail bill preparation.

UNIT V

FILES, MODULES, PACKAGES

Files and exception: text files, reading and writing files, format operator; command line arguments, errors and exceptions, handling exceptions, modules, packages; Illustrative programs: word count, copy file, Voter's age validation, Marks range validation (0-100).

TOTAL: 45 PERIODS

COURSE OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to

CO1: Develop algorithmic solutions to simple computational problems.

CO2: Develop and execute simple Python programs.

CO3: Write simple Python programs using conditionals and looping for solving problems.

CO4: Decompose a Python program into functions.

CO5: Represent compound data using Python lists, tuples, dictionaries etc.

CO6: Read and write data from/to files in Python programs.

TEXT BOOKS:

1. Allen B. Downey, "Think Python: How to Think like a Computer Scientist", 2nd Edition, O'Reilly Publishers, 2016.

2. Karl Beecher, "Computational Thinking: A Beginner's Guide to Problem Solving and programming", 1st Edition, BCS Learning & Development Limited, 2017.

REFERENCES:

1. Paul Deitel and Harvey Deitel, "Python for Programmers", Pearson Education, 1st Edition, 2021.

2. G Venkatesh and Madhavan Mukund, "Computational Thinking: A Primer for Programmers and Data Scientists", 1st Edition, Notion Press, 2021.

3. John V Guttag, "Introduction to Computation and Programming Using Python: With Applications to Computational Modeling and Understanding Data", Third Edition, MIT Press 2021

4. Eric Matthes, "Python Crash Course, A Hands-on Project Based Introduction to Programming", 2nd Edition, No Starch Press, 2019.

5. https://www.python.org/

6. Martin C. Brown, "Python: The Complete Reference", 4th Edition, Mc-Graw Hill, 2018.