An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1)

About this course: This two-part course is designed to help students with very little or no computing background learn the basics of building simple interactive applications. Our language of choice, Python, is an easy-to learn, high-level computer language that is used in many of the computational courses offered on Coursera. To make learning Python easy, we have developed a new browser-based programming environment that makes developing interactive applications in Python simple. These applications will involve windows whose contents are graphical and respond to buttons, the keyboard and the mouse. In part 1 of this course, we will introduce the basic elements of programming (such as expressions, conditionals, and functions) and then use these elements to create simple interactive applications such as a digital stopwatch. Part 1 of this class will culminate in building a version of the classic arcade game "Pong".

Who is this class for: Recommended Background - A knowledge of high school mathematics is required. The class is designed for students with no prior programming experience.

Created by:  Rice University

• Taught by:  John Greiner, Lecturer

  Department of Computer Science

• Taught by:  Stephen Wong, Lecturer

  Computer Science

• Taught by:  Scott Rixner, Professor

  Computer Science

• Taught by:  Joe Warren, Professor

  Computer Science

Basic Info Course 1 of 7 in the Fundamentals of Computing Specialization Commitment 5 weeks of study, 7-10 hours/week Language English, Subtitles: Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified) How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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Syllabus


WEEK 1


Week 0 - Statements, expressions, variables
Understand the structure of this class, explore Python as a calculator


6 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Video: Introduction
2. Video: CodeSkulptor
3. Video: Arithmetic Expressions
4. Reading: Practice Exercises for Expressions (optional)
5. Video: Variables
6. Video: Saving in CodeSkulptor
7. Reading: Practice Exercises for Variables and Assignments (optional)
8. Video: Mini-project Video
9. Reading: Mini-project Description
10. Reading: Code Clinic Tips
11. Peer Review: "We want... a shrubbery!"

Graded: Quiz 0

WEEK 2


Week 1 - Functions, logic, conditionals
Learn the basic constructs of Python programming, create a program that plays a variant of Rock-Paper-Scissors


7 videos, 5 readings expand

1. Video: Functions
2. Video: Visualizing Functions
3. Video: Operations
4. Reading: Practice Exercises for Functions (optional)
5. Video: Logic and Comparisons
6. Video: Conditionals
7. Video: Programming Tips - 1
8. Reading: Practice Exercises for Logic and Conditionals (optional)
9. Video: Mini-project Video
10. Reading: Mini-project Description
11. Reading: Practice Mini-project: Mystical Octosphere (optional)
12. Reading: Code Clinic Tips

Graded: Quiz 1
Graded: Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock

WEEK 3


Week 2 - Event-driven programming, local/global variables
Learn the basics of event-driven programming, understand difference between local and global variables, create an interactive program that plays a simple guessing game


8 videos, 5 readings expand

1. Video: Event-Driven Programming
2. Video: Local vs. Global Variables
3. Video: SimpleGUI
4. Reading: Practice Exercises for Interactive Applications (optional)
5. Video: Buttons
6. Video: Input Fields
7. Video: Visualizing Events
8. Video: Programming Tips - 2
9. Reading: Practice Exercises for Button and Input Fields (optional)
10. Video: Mini-project Video
11. Reading: Mini-project Description
12. Reading: Practice Mini-project: Magical Octosphere Reloaded (optional)
13. Reading: Code Clinic Tips

Graded: Quiz 2a
Graded: Quiz 2b
Graded: "Guess the Number!"

WEEK 4


Week 3 - Canvas, drawing, timers
Create a canvas in Python, learn how to draw on the canvas, create a digital stopwatch


7 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Video: Canvas and Drawing
2. Video: String Processing
3. Video: Interactive Drawing
4. Reading: Practice Exercises for Drawing (optional)
5. Video: Timers
6. Video: Visualizing Drawing and Timers
7. Video: Programming Tips - 3
8. Reading: Practice Exercises for Timers (optional)
9. Video: Mini-project Video
10. Reading: Mini-project Description
11. Reading: Code Clinic Tips

Graded: Quiz 3a
Graded: Quiz 3b
Graded: Stopwatch: The Game

WEEK 5


Week 4 - Lists, keyboard input, the basics of modeling motion
Learn the basics of lists in Python, model moving objects in Python, recreate the classic arcade game "Pong"


8 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Video: Lists
2. Video: Keyboard Input
3. Video: Motion
4. Video: Collisions and Reflections
5. Reading: Practice Exercises for Lists (optional)
6. Video: Velocity Control
7. Video: Visualizing Lists and Mutation
8. Video: Programming Tips - 4
9. Reading: Practice Exercises for Keyboard (optional)
10. Video: Mini-project Video
11. Reading: Mini-project Description
12. Reading: Code Clinic Tips

Graded: Quiz 4a
Graded: Quiz 4b
Graded: Pong