Python Programming
Complete Study Notes for Beginners
From Zero to Job-Ready in Python
Table of Contents
• 1. Introduction to Python
• 2. Variables & Data Types
• 3. Control Flow (If/Else, Loops)
• 4. Functions
• 5. Lists, Tuples & Dictionaries
• 6. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
• 7. File Handling
• 8. Error Handling
• 9. Useful Libraries
• 10. Tips & Tricks
1. Introduction to Python
Python is a high-level, interpreted, general-purpose programming language. It is widely used for web
development, data science, AI/ML, automation, and more.
Why Python?
✓ Simple and readable syntax
✓ Huge community and library ecosystem
✓ Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
✓ Free and open source
✓ Used by Google, Netflix, NASA, and many more
Installing Python: Download from [Link] and install. Then use pip to install packages.
print("Hello, World!")
2. Variables & Data Types
Variables store data. Python is dynamically typed – you don't need to declare types.
# Integer age = 25
# Float price = 19.99
# String name = "Ahmad"
# Boolean is_active = True
# Check type print(type(age)) #
# Multiple assignment x, y, z = 1, 2, 3
3. Control Flow
Control flow determines the order your code executes.
If / Elif / Else:
score = 85 if score >= 90: print("A") elif score >= 80: print("B") else: print("C")
For Loop:
for i in range(5): print(i) # prints 0,1,2,3,4
While Loop:
count = 0 while count < 5: print(count) count += 1
4. Functions
Functions are reusable blocks of code. Use def keyword to define them.
def greet(name, greeting="Hello"): return f"{greeting}, {name}!"
print(greet("Siti")) # Hello, Siti! print(greet("Ali", "Hai")) # Hai, Ali!
■ Tip: Use default parameter values to make functions more flexible.
5. Lists, Tuples & Dictionaries
List (mutable, ordered):
fruits = ["apple", "mango", "durian"] [Link]("banana") print(fruits[0]) #
apple print(len(fruits)) # 4
Tuple (immutable, ordered):
coordinates = (3.1, 101.6) # lat, long of KL print(coordinates[0]) # 3.1
Dictionary (key-value pairs):
student = {"name": "Ahmad", "age": 20, "gpa": 3.8} print(student["name"]) # Ahmad
student["age"] = 21 # update value
6. OOP – Object-Oriented Programming
OOP organizes code using classes and objects.
class Animal: def __init__(self, name, sound): [Link] = name [Link] = sound
def speak(self): return f"{[Link]} says {[Link]}!" cat = Animal("Cat",
"Meow") print([Link]()) # Cat says Meow!
7. File Handling
# Write to file with open("[Link]", "w") as f: [Link]("Hello, File!") # Read
from file with open("[Link]", "r") as f: content = [Link]() print(content)
■ Always use 'with' statement – it automatically closes the file.
8. Error Handling
try: result = 10 / 0 except ZeroDivisionError: print("Cannot divide by zero!")
except Exception as e: print(f"Error: {e}") finally: print("This always runs")
9. Useful Libraries
Library Use Case
import pandas Data analysis and manipulation
import numpy Numerical computing and arrays
import matplotlib Data visualization and charts
import requests HTTP requests and web APIs
import flask Web development (lightweight)
import scikit-learn Machine learning algorithms
import selenium Web browser automation
import pillow Image processing and manipulation
10. Tips & Tricks
■ Use list comprehension: squares = [x**2 for x in range(10)]
■ f-strings for formatting: f'Hello {name}, you are {age} years old'
■ Unpack variables: first, *rest = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
■ Ternary operator: result = 'yes' if condition else 'no'
■ enumerate() for index + value: for i, v in enumerate(my_list):
■ zip() to pair lists: for a, b in zip(list1, list2):
■ Use virtual environments: python -m venv myenv
■ Practice daily on LeetCode, HackerRank, or Codewars!
Happy Coding! ■ | Keep learning. Keep building.
