Chapter 1 : ZyBooks Python Vocab
program
A computer program consists of instructions executing one at a time.
newline
A line break, known as a newline, is output after every print() statement.
line
A line is a row of text.
bug
A logic error is often called a bug.
assignment statement
An assignment statement assigns a variable with a value, such as x = 5.
identifier / name / underscores
An identifier, also called a name, is a sequence of letters (a-z, A-Z), underscores (_), and digits (0-9), and must start with a letter or an underscore.
interactive interpreter
An interactive interpreter is a program that allows the user to execute one line of code at a time.
object
An object represents a value and is automatically created by the interpreter when executing a line of code. For example, executing x = 4 creates a new object to represent the value 4.
whitespace
Any space, tab, or newline is called whitespace.
comments
Characters such as "#" denote comments, which are optional but can be used to explain portions of code to a human reader.
Code
Code is a common word for the textual representation of a program (and hence programming is also called coding).
garbage collection
Deleting unused objects is an automatic process called garbage collection that frees memory space.
Expressions
Expressions are code that return a value when evaluated; for example, the code wage * hours * weeks is an expression that computes a number.
Identity
Identity: A unique identifier that describes the object.
int()
If a string contains only numbers, like '123', then the int() function can be used to convert that string to the integer 123.
variable
In a program, a variable is a named item, such as x or num_people, that holds a value.
computational thinking
In the information age, many people believe computational thinking, or creating a sequence of instructions to solve a problem, will become increasingly important for work and everyday life.
incrementing
Increasing a variable's value by 1, as in x = x + 1, is common and known as incrementing the variable.
Input
Input: A program receives data from a file, keyboard, touchscreen, network, etc.
immutable
Integers and strings are immutable; meaning integer and string values cannot be changed.
Mutability
Mutability indicates whether the object's value is allowed to be changed.
Name binding
Name binding is the process of associating names with interpreter objects. An object can have more than one name bound to it, and every name is always bound to exactly one object. Name binding occurs whenever an assignment statement is executed, as demonstrated below.
syntax error
One kind of mistake, a syntax error, violates a programming language's rules on how symbols can be combined to create a program.
newline character
Output can be moved to the next line by printing "\n", known as a newline character.
Output
Output: A program puts that data somewhere, such as a file, screen, or network.
PEP 8
PEP 8 (Python Enhancement Proposal) outlines the basics of how to write Python code neatly and consistently.
print()
Print() function displays variables or expression values.
Process
Process: A program performs computations on that data, such as adding two values like x + y.
variables
Programs use variables to refer to data, like x.
case sensitive
Python is case sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters differ. Ex: "Cat" and "cat" are different.
id()
Python provides a built-in function id() that gives the value of an object's identity.
input()
Reading input is achieved using the input() function.
Reserved words / keywords
Reserved words, or keywords, are words that are part of the language and cannot be used as a programmer-defined name.
type
Strings and integers are each an example of a type; a type determines how a value can behave.
logic error
Such an error is known as a logic error, because the program is logically flawed.
string literal
Text enclosed in quotes is known as a string literal.
Python interpreter
The Python interpreter is a computer program that executes code written in the Python programming language.
type()
The built-in function type() returns the type of an object.
string
The input obtained by input() is any text that a user typed, including numbers, letters, or special characters such as # or @. Such text in a computer program is called a string.
prompt
The interactive interpreter displays a prompt (">>>") that indicates the interpreter is ready to accept code.
variables
The names wage, hours, weeks, and salary are variables, which are named references to values stored by the interpreter.
print()
The primary way to print output is to use the built-in function print().
runtime error
The program may have another kind of error called a runtime error, in which a program's syntax is correct but the program attempts an impossible operation, such as dividing by zero or multiplying strings together (like 'Hello' * 'ABC').
whitespace
Whitespace is any blank space or newline.
crash
Abrupt and unintended termination of a program is often called a crash of the program.
assignment
A new variable is created by performing an assignment using the = symbol.
algorithm
A sequence of instructions that solves a problem is called an algorithm.
statement
A statement is a program instruction.
Type
Type: The type of the object, such as integer or string.
Value
Value: A value such as "20", "abcdef", or "55".
