Introduction to Python Scripting for DevOps

Overview

This course is the first course in a series that aims to prepare you for a role working as a programmer. In this course, you will be introduced to the five main concepts in procedural programming: user input, console output, variable declaration and assignment, decision branching and iteration. Labs will allow you to apply the material in the lectures in simple computer programs designed to re-enforce the material in the lesson.

Syllabus

Console Input and Output

In this module, we roll up our sleeves and start coding! We will learn to use both IDLE to develop code and also to compile code from the command line. The Python scripts can be written on a Windows, Mac OS or Linux machine and I will show you how to do so. Our first programs will focus on reading input from the keyboard and outputting the results of the program to the console output.

Data Types

In the second module of this course, we will look at how computers store data during the execution of a program. We will look at storing whole numbers, decimal numbers, boolean values and strings. We will explore how you can convert between different types of variables. Lastly, we will look at how long a variable stays in existence and when it is visible to the pieces of the code.

Decision Branching

In the third module of this course, we will learn how to change the flow of a program’s executionSometimesr based on a test. We will look at single tests utilizing if statements in our code. We follow up with multiple tests with the addition of the else clause. Lastly, we look at the case statement as an alternative expression of the flow of the program.

Iteration

In the fourth module of this course, we learn how to change the flow of our programs by repeating code iteratively. We will start with a look at loops that repeat a fixed number of times. We will follow up with writing loops that continue while a test is positive. Lastly, we will look at how we can modify the flow to immediately break from a loop or jump back to the test condition.