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Basic Syntax and Data Types in Python
1. Variables
Variables in Python are used to store data that can be referenced and manipulated later in the program. Python is dynamically typed, meaning you don't need to declare the type of a variable when you create one. You just assign a value to a variable using the assignment operator (=).
python code
# Variable assignment
x = 10
name = "Alice"
pi = 3.14
2. Strings
Strings are sequences of characters enclosed in single quotes (') or double quotes ("). Python provides several operations and methods for working with strings.
python code
# Creating strings
greeting = "Hello, World!"
another_greeting = 'Hello, Python!'
# String operations
length = len(greeting) # Get length of the string
upper_case = greeting.upper() # Convert to uppercase
split_string = greeting.split(",") # Split the string into a list
3. Numbers
Python supports integers and floating-point numbers. Integers are whole numbers, while floating-point numbers have decimal points.
python code
# Integers
a = 10
b = -5
# Floating-point numbers
c = 3.14
d = -0.001
# Basic arithmetic operations
sum = a + c # Addition
difference = a - b # Subtraction
product = a * b # Multiplication
quotient = a / c # Division
4. Lists
Lists are ordered collections of items (of any type) that are mutable, meaning they can be changed after creation. Lists are created using square brackets ([]).
python code
# Creating a list
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
# List operations numbers.
append(6) # Add an item to the end
first_item = numbers[0] # Access the first item (indexing starts at 0)
slice_of_numbers = numbers[1:3] # Get a slice of the list
numbers[0] = 10 # Modify an item
5. Tuples
Tuples are ordered collections of items, similar to lists, but they are immutable, meaning they cannot be changed after creation. Tuples are created using parentheses (()).
python code
# Creating a tuple
coordinates = (10.0, 20.0)
# Tuple operations
x_coord = coordinates[0] # Access the first item
6. Sets
Sets are unordered collections of unique items. They are mutable and do not allow duplicate elements. Sets are created using curly braces ({}) or the set() function.
python code
# Creating a set
fruits = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
# Set operations
fruits.add("orange") # Add an item
fruits.remove("banana") # Remove an item
7. Dictionaries
Dictionaries are collections of key-value pairs, where each key is unique and is used to access its corresponding value. Dictionaries are created using curly braces ({}) with key-value pairs separated by colons (:).
python code
# Creating a dictionary
person = {
"name": "Alice",
"age": 25,
"city": "New York"
}
# Dictionary operations
name = person["name"] # Access a value by key
person["age"] = 26 # Modify a value
person["email"] = "alice@example.com" # Add a new key-value pair
Understanding these basic syntax elements and data types is essential for getting started with Python programming and forms the foundation for more advanced topics.