Lectures 1 and 2: Welcome to ESC180. Expressions and variables. A very simple program. Conditionals. The quadratic equation. Numerical types (if there is time). Lecture 1 recording, Lecture 2 recording

Suggested readings for the next couple of lectures: Downey chapters 1-2 and/or Gries chapters 1-2. Note: you're only responsible for the material in lecture. However, some people learn best by reading, which is why I'm listing readings.

Learning outcomes: be able to run a very simple Python program in PythonTutor. Undrestand that a program is a series of instructions. Understand what syntax is, both in natural (human) languages and in programming languages.

Just for fun: Timothy Gowers, Why isn't the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic Obvious. Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

Suggested readings continue reading Downey Ch. 1-2 and/or Gries Ch. 1-2.

Suggested readings: Downey Ch. 3, Gries Ch. 3

Learning outcomes: Be able to trace Python programs in PythonTutor. Be able to write simple functions. Understand the distinction between syntax errors and "name not found" errors in Python. Be able to identify some syntax errors and name not found errors in simple examples. Understand that Python executes code line-by-line and understand why Python cannot find "name not found" errors ahead of time. Understand that string, float, and int types are different. Understand the difference between int and floats types. Understand the limitations of the float types. Understand why comparisons between floats and ints can be problematic. Understand why physical measurements can usually be stored in a float. Understand conversion between different types, and understand why e.g. "42" + 42 will produce an error but "42" + str(42) won't.