Python Interpreter Online

You can try out python right in your web browser here: Online Python Interpreter.

Borrowing Code

If you use any code or ideas from the web sites below, or any other sources, you must cite your sources! Usually, it is enough to simply put a comment in your program indicating where you got the code from, like so:

  # next 4 lines borrowed from docs.python.org tutorial 10.8
  ...
  

Getting Started with Python

All of the software we will use in class is freely available online.

• CSCI 110 Guide: Getting Started with Python: A hardcopy of this guide is given out during the first lab.
• http://www.python.org/download/: You can download the Python interpreter and IDLE "GUI" for for use on your own laptop or computer. We are using Python version 2.7.2. Do not install the 3.2.2 version.

Learning Python

• http://docs.python.org: This is the definitive Python reference.
  • Python Library Reference is probably the most useful as you start to learn more Python (and need to look up details about functions that you have forgotten).
  • Python Tutorial might be useful, for example, to find snippets of Python code that you can borrow.
• Learning Python the Hard Way: This one is really a book. It has 50+ exercises/lessons, starting from the very basics, all the way to writing your own web game in Python.
• Python Tutorials for Non-Programmers: A long list of Python tutorials for beginning programmers.

Getting Help

Don't panic. Email the TAs or the instructor if you are having difficulties.

• When Pythons Attack: Common Mistakes of Python Programmers: A helpful list of common mistakes and how to fix them.