Unit 2 Terms: Introductory Python Vocabulary
conditional statement
a set of rules that executes code if certain conditions are met
statement
a single line of instruction that Python can execute, either in the compiler or the interpreter
computational artifact
an object created by a human being that involves the use of computer technology
code editor
in Repl.it, this is the white space where code is written with line numbers
console window
in Repl.it, this is where code is outputted from a program
int
the keyword used for the native data type in Python that can only store integer data
str
the keyword used for the native data type in Python that can store characters, letters and numbers from the keyboard
float
the keyword used for the native data type in Python that can store decimal data
boolean
the keyword used for the native data type in Python that is either True or False
global variable
the term used for data that is accessible throughout an entire program, including code blocks
local variable
the term used for data that is only accessible within a code block
parameter variable
the term used for data that will be the input to a function
function call
the term used for executing a code block that's been defined in a function
return value
the term used for the data that represents the output to a function
variable scope
the term used to describe the accessibility of a variable within a program.
assignment
the word used for when you give a variable a value
libraries & modules
these can be imported into your program so that you can access code that other people have written
single-line comment
this allows you to write plain English into your code by using a hashtag
multi-line comment
this allows you to write plain English into your code by using a set of three apostrophes wrapped around the text you are writing
input()
this built-in Python function allows us to accept user's input from a keyboard
float()
this built-in Python function allows us to convert data into floating-point data
code block
this consists of one or more statements that have been grouped together in a program. Python uses indentation for this!
syntax error
this describes a problem you encounter when characters in your Python code are not correctly placed
function header
this describes the line of code that allows you to define a function, give the function a name, and specify its parameter variables
program flow
this is a general term that describes the order in which your lines of code are executed
import statement
this is required when you want to use a module or library that is not built-into the Python language. We need this when using the math module!
def
this is the Python keyword used to define a function
if
this is the most commonly used keyword for creating a conditional statement that will determine the flow of a program. It is sometimes followed by an "else," or some "elif"s then an "else"
conditional statement
this is used for representing an "if-then" in a program, where the program executes a code block if a condition is determined to be true
indentation
this is what Python uses to determine the lines of code that will execute in a function's definition, or after a conditional statement
else
this keyword always follows an "if" or an "elif" in a program and represents the final outcome that will occur within a set of possible outcomes in a program
elif
this keyword always sits between an "if" and an "else", and is used when we have more than two outcomes with a set of possible conditions
:
we use this symbol at the end of a function header or a conditional statement