learn-python.md

Machine Setup

• Install Python on your machine
  • On Mac - $ python --version
  • On Window - https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/
• Install the Python package manager
  • pip should be installed with most versions of python
  • Most likely you should upgrade your pip with $ pip install -U pip for mac or python -m pip install -U pip for windows
  • Check to see if it is installed with $ pip --version
  • $ sudo easy_install pip or download get-pip.py and $ python get-pip.py
  • Learn more about pip
  • You can also type learn more from running $ pip -h to get the help menu
• Install iPython
  • pip install ipython
  • Learn more about iPython

Brand new to programming

Learn Python from Code Academy

Programming experience and just want a fly over

Intro to Scientific Computing with Python

• Basic Types
• Control Flow
• Functions
• Code Reuse
• Input and Output
• Standard Library
• Exception Handling
• Object Oriented Programming

Beginner Challenge

Requirements

Write a function that takes in a list of N test scores which can range from 1 to 100 and gives back descriptive statistics.

• Write a function to calculate the max
• Write a function to calculate the min
• Write a funciton to calculate the average
• Write a function to calculate the variance
• Write a function to calculate the standard deviation.
• Write a function that combines them all.

Bonus:

• Write a mode and median calculation
• Add tests

Advanced Challenge

Using Object Oriented Design create a Rental Store application that keeps track of the following:

• You must have at least one store.
• Your store must have at least one employee.
• Each store should have a minimum of 7 films when the application starts.
• A user can check out either one or two films at a time.
• A rental costs $5 and only last for 1 day.
• A rental should only be checked out from one store by one user.

Requirements:

• Your program should rent out all of its inventory.
• It should be able to present a history of each rental (which employee, film, customer, time, etc).
• It should also be able to show the total amount of revenue generated.

Bonus

• Add Tests

Notes

We will be using Python, if you want to learn more about why read this.