76528 - Laboratory of Computer Programming

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student has a basic knowledge of programming using Python language and the analysis of some fundamental problems and related algorithms solvers.

Course contents

The "Laboratory of Computer Programming" course aims providing a basic knowledge of programming. No computer prerequisites are required. A detailed description of the Python language is provided. Then, fundamental problems and some of the most important and interesting solving algorithms are analyzed.

1. Introduction

Programming languages: a bit of history. The Python programming language. What is a program? What is debugging? What is needed to program in Python?

2. Variables, expressions and statements

Values and types. Variables. Names and keywords. Operators and operands. Expressions and statements. Order of operations. String and string operations.

3. Flow control

Analysis of the most used instructions and functions for flow control. In particular, if, else, for, while, break and continue instructions.

4. Functions

Function calls. Parameters and arguments. Type conversion functions. Math functions. How to create a new function.

5. Programs

How to create a Python program. Starting from simple examples to learn the "good programming" rules, we will come up with advanced programs to solve complex problems.

Readings/Bibliography

Book: "Python Crash Course: a hands-on, project-based introduction to programming", by Eric Matthes. Publisher: No Starch Press.

Book: "Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist", by Allen Downey, Jeffrey Elkner, Chris Meyers. On-line available at: http://greenteapress.com/thinkpython/

Teaching methods

Classroom lessons and practice in lab. Each topic will be treated jointly with significant case studies developed in lab to highlight its meaningful applications.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written part and an optional oral part based on the outcome of the written part.

Teaching tools

In the website: www.filippopiccinini.it and in the teaching material section the slides shown in class are available for download as well as the software tools for practice in lab.

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Piccinini