Programming in Python

Autumn Term, 2010
(10 Sessions) Tuesdays 6 - 9 pm, October 12 through December 14. Optional make-up class Tues Dec 21 6 - 9 pm.

UW Certificate Program in Python Programming, also includes Internet Programmming in Python (Winter 2011) and System Development with Python (Spring 2011).

This page is updated every week. Students in the class should view this page frequently (remember to refresh your browser).

Announcements and updates:

Dec 17: Winter registration Anyone who wishes to register for Python winter quarter who hasn’t yet received instructions should contact Kim Mechaelis, kmechaelis@pce.uw.edu right away

Dec 11: Questions and answers updated.
Dec 9: The optional make-up class will be Tuesday evening, Dec 21, 6 - 9 pm, at the usual time and place.
Dec 7: Here is a summary of student presentations.
Dec 6: If you have not yet scheduled your presentation, email me.
Dec 4: Let me know if and when you would attend an optional make-up class.
Dec 1: Recommended readings for weeks 9 and 10 in the schedule
Nov 23: No class tonight, cancelled due to weather. See UWPCE Alert and UW Alerts.
Nov 21. Try to read sections 17.1 - 17.5 in the textbook (just 5+ more pages) before class on Tues Nov 23.
Nov 17. If you must be absent, contact me in advance and email me your weekly report.
Nov 17. FYI, Seattle Python Interest Group Thurs Nov 18 on NumPy
Oct 30. Questions and answers updated
Oct 26. Lenovo AC adapter found in classroom, left with lost and found in office on fourth floor.
Oct 18. Results of the entry questionnaire

Week 10. Lecture: class-10.txt and examples: packages.py, foo.py.
  Presenters: Daniel Araneda, Ben Cleveland, Jeff Conn, Toshi Esumi, Delane Jackson, Jacob Newfield
Week 9. Lecture: class-9.txt and examples: vector.py, generator.py, decorator.py.
  Presenters: Sunhee Jung, Nolan Nichols, Ted Tieken, Bryan Walls
Week 8. Lecture: class-8.txt quiz_8.py, and examples: vehicle.py, simulator.py, pedestrian.py.
  Presenters: Aaron Franklin, Derek Reiff, Mark Simonson
Week 7. Class cancelled due to weather, presenters rescheduled to week 8
Week 6. Lecture: class-6.txt, quiz_6.py, and examples: comprehensions.py, roman.py, corrector.py, set.py, product.py.
  Presenters: Nathan Buck, Paul Fearn, Richard Fuhr
Week 5. Lecture: class-5.txt, quiz_5.py, and examples: traffic.py, nested.py, route.py, phones.py, traverse.py.
  Presenters: Peter Conerly, Jon Crump, Jonathan Poland, Daniel Nguyen
Week 4. Lecture: class-4.txt, quiz_4.py, and examples: recursion.py, strings_files.py, bio_demo.py, ceru_human.sp.
  Presenters: Jeff Boschee, Lisa Henry, Andrew Hosch, Patrick Morgan
Week 3. Lecture class-3.pdf and class-3.txt, quiz_3.py, and examples: repetition.py, assertions.py.
  Presenters: Eyal Arian, Melissa Rice, Gregg Toth
Week 2. Lecture class-2.pdf, quiz_2.py, and examples: functions.py, parameters.py.
  Presenters: Aaron Bazar, Jeff Silverman, Joe Simpson, Alicia Sullivan.
Week 1. Lecture, examples and resources, requirements and evaluation.
  FYI, the Seattle Python Interest Group meets Thurs Oct. 14

Course objectives: Introduce the Python language, its most important libraries, and its recommended programming styles and idioms. Teach how to solve typical programming problems in Pythonic style. Survey some exemplary Python applications and systems. Teach career skills and work habits including testing and version control. Students will begin accumulating a portfolio of completed assignments, working toward a substantial original project in the Spring.

Prerequisites: No previous Python experience is required. This course is not intended for absolute beginners in programming, but does include a self-contained review of elementary features. Students must be able to use a command line, edit a text file, and download and install software. Students should have some prior exposure to programming in any language, sufficient to write very simple programs or scripts that use variables, conditionals (if ...), and iteration (loops).

Textbooks: The textbook comes in two versions: a printed book named Python for Software Design, and a free online version named Think Python. Despite the different titles, the two versions have the same contents.

Instructor: Jonathan Jacky is a research scientist at the University of Washington. He has experience as a software developer for research laboratories, hospitals, and systems software companies. He has taught at universities and in industry, and is the author of two textbooks on software development and testing. His Python experience includes the GNU Radio signal processing system, the FLiP proof checker, and the PyModel testing framework.

Technology Requirements: Students must have access to a computer for their assignments and projects, where they can install software (the course does not provide a computer laboratory). It is recommended that students have a portable computer to bring to class. Internet access will be provided at classes.

Assessment criteria: The course is graded Pass/Fail, based on satisfactory completion of required programming assignments and classroom presentations. Attendance is required; more than two unexcused absences will result in a Fail. More details here.

Disability accommodation: The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. For information or to request disability accommodation contact: Disability Services Office: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or e-mail at dso@u.washington.edu.

Textbook

Python for Software Design: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist by Allen B. Downey. Cambridge University Press, 2009.

and a free online version:

Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist

Despite the different titles, the two versions have the same contents, including the same chapter, section, and exercise numbers. You may use the version you prefer.

This text is an excellent introduction to Python language fundamentals and semantics. There are many features and topics it does not discuss. We will discuss them in class and assign supplementary readings.

Summaries

Quick Python Script Explanation for Programmers (one page)
Learn Python in 10 minutes
NanoPy

Reference

Python 2.6 Quick Reference (awesomely dense and complete)
Python 2.x documentation (official documentation from python.org)

Supplementary texts

The Python Tutorial (from python.org)

Other resources

Examples and Resources (notable Python libraries and scriptable applications)

Software

The current Python 2.x version is available here. I use this source for Windows. For the Mac, I use macports, which manages multiple Python versions nicely. For Linux, I use the distro's package manager (Synaptic on Ubuntu, for example).

Schedule and Assignments

Due dates

Nov 16. Second portfolio progress report due.
Dec 14. Final portfolio progress report and self-evaluation due.

Jonathan Jacky, jon at u dot washington dot edu