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Python - Short Introduction

This page is a comprehensive guide to Python Scripting with some applied samples related to cloud programming.

What is Python​

Python is a versatile, high-level programming language known for its readability and simplicity. It's widely used for various applications, including web development, data analysis, scientific computing, automation, and more.

Getting Started: Running Python Code

  1. Install Python: Download and install Python from the official website (https://www.python.org/downloads/).
  2. Open a terminal or command prompt.
  3. Type python or python3 (depending on your system) to start the Python interpreter.
  4. You'll see the Python prompt (>>>) where you can type and run Python code.

Basic Concepts​

  • Variables: Store data using variables.
    name = "John"
    age = 25
  • Print: Display output using print() function.
    print("Hello, " + name)

Data Types:

  • Strings: Text data enclosed in quotes (' or ").
  • Numbers: Integers and floating-point numbers.
  • Lists: Ordered collections of items.
  • Dictionaries: Key-value pairs.
  • Booleans: True or False values.

Conditional Statements: Use if, elif, and else for conditional execution.

if age < 18:
    print("You're a minor.")
else:
    print("You're an adult.")

Loops:

  • for Loop: Iterate over a sequence.
    fruits = ["apple", "banana", "orange"]
    for fruit in fruits:
        print("I like", fruit)
  • while Loop: Execute code while a condition is true.
    count = 1
    while count <= 5:
        print("Count:", count)
        count += 1

Functions: Define and use functions to encapsulate code.

def greet(name):
    print("Hello,", name + "!")
greet("Alice")

Scripting​

  • Create a new file with a .py extension, e.g., myscript.py.
  • Write your Python code in the script file.

Running Scripts:

  1. Open a terminal or command prompt.
  2. Navigate to the directory containing your script.
  3. Run the script: python myscript.py or python3 myscript.py.

Examples​

  1. Hello World:

    print("Hello, World!")

  2. Simple Calculator:

    num1 = float(input("Enter first number: "))
    num2 = float(input("Enter second number: "))
    sum = num1 + num2
    print("Sum:", sum)

  3. File Backup Script:

    import shutil
    import os
    source_dir = "/path/to/source"
    backup_dir = "/path/to/backup"
    timestamp = datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d%H%M%S")
    backup_file = f"backup_{timestamp}.tar.gz"
    shutil.make_archive(os.path.join(backup_dir, backup_file), "gztar", source_dir)
    print(f"Backup saved as {backup_file}")

As you progress in Python, you can explore more advanced topics such as object-oriented programming, file handling, libraries, frameworks, and more. Python's extensive community and rich ecosystem of libraries make it a fantastic language to learn and apply to a wide range of projects.


✅ Resources​