Sunday, November 3, 2013

Introduction to Computer Science: Learning Python Week #2

         


Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Course.

I began taking this course on https://courses.edx.org/dashboard a couple weeks ago.  The course is a full college course with homework, tests, lectures, etc.  The major difference between taking directly at MIT I suppose would be actually receiving the grade and college credit for taking the course.  As I am not concerned with either of those aspects and my primary goal is just to advance my knowledge with computer programming I signed up!

It was difficult the first couple weeks.  I read Chapters two and three 3-4 times each.  It was frustrating at first, but if I approach the situation with the mindset that I will have to read through it a few times to understand the concepts accurately it becomes much easier.

We use the program Canopy to test and run script with Python.   

What I learned in Chapter #2:
  • The difference between floats; integers; and booleans.
  • What happens when you combine these items in equations.
  • Strings and how to combine them or select specific portions.
  • How to print items to screen
  • How to set up raw input data.
  • If;else;else if statements.
  • Determining the type of an item (ie. str;bool;int;float;) within python
  • And many more items I am sure I am forgetting.
While I am working through this I thought it would be fine to start up blogging again.  This way I have a reference to the materials and items I learned for personal use and also to help me reinforce the items I'm learning by writing about it.

Hopefully I maintain this habit..