Starting Out in Programming with Python

If you have never done any computer programming, looking at pages and pages of programme code can be daunting. Fear not! In this course, you will learn the basics of computer programming whilst creating a music library application.

This course is an ideal introduction for those looking to explore programming for fun or as a career.

Course Outline

Level

For absolute beginners, suitable if you are completely new to programming. No programming experience needed. Students will be guided as needed to complete the programming tasks.

Description

Learn the fundamental programming concepts using Python whilst creating a working music library application

Detail

Getting Started

Understanding what computer programming is all about and where Python fits in.

Computational Thinking

Understanding how computers execute a program. Using a variety of "unplugged" activities to reinforce learning.

Basic Programming Concepts

Hands-on working through the basic concepts of programming in Python – objects, identifiers, types, operators, lists, loops, decisions, modules and functions.

Program Design

Understanding how to approach building an application from scratch.

Iterative Development

Building the application bit-by-bit.

Building a User Interface

Displaying the music library nicely on the screen. Getting the user to select albums and tracks.

Testing and exception handling

Testing the application and dealing with errors

Playing the Music

Playing your selected track using a third-party library.

Skills you will pick up in the course

Key skill categories

• Programming

• Python programming

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to

• Apply fundamental programming principles to new programming tasks.

• Combine a variety of self-written and third-party modules to create a working application.

• Demonstrate good programming disciplines such as commenting and exception handling in their coding.