Resources

Getting Started

New to programming entirely? Work through these before (or alongside) the first few weeks of class:

Hedy — a very gentle introduction to programming
futurecoder — an interactive, step-by-step Python course
Kaggle’s Python and pandas tutorials

Development Environment

Coder

If you can’t install Thonny locally (e.g., on a shared or locked-down computer), the course also offers a cloud-based coding environment through Coder.

Log in at Calvin’s Coder instance and open a workspace
Your workspace includes Python and Thonny, ready to use — no local installation needed
What is Coder? — remote development environments in a browser
Tip: your files persist within your workspace — save often and keep your work organized

Python

Thonny

Thonny is the IDE we use in this class — a simple, beginner-friendly editor built specifically for learning Python. It’s already installed on the lab computers, but you’ll likely want it on your own laptop too.

Installing Thonny:

Go to thonny.org and download the installer for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux)
Run the installer, accepting the default options
Open Thonny — it comes with Python already bundled, so there’s nothing extra to install

Getting set up:

When Thonny opens, you’ll see two main areas: the editor (top, where you write and save your program) and the Shell (bottom, where output appears and you can try out code interactively)
Write your code in the editor, then click the green Run button (or press F5) to run it
Save your file with Ctrl+S before running — Thonny will prompt you to save if you forget

Debugging in Thonny:

Click the bug icon (or press Ctrl+F5) to step through your code line by line
Use the step buttons to watch variables change value as your program runs — this is one of Thonny’s best features for beginners
The Variables pane (View → Variables) shows the current value of every variable while your program runs or is paused

If something looks different than expected:

Check that “Standard” mode is selected (View → uncheck “Regular mode” is not needed for this course — the defaults work fine)
If packages are missing, use Tools → Manage Packages to install them
Thonny documentation has more on installation and troubleshooting for each OS

Debugging Help

Python Tutor — step through code execution visually
Common Python errors
PEP 8 style guide — for readable Python code

How to Succeed in This Class

Starting early is essential to success in programming. Newcomers sometimes think that they can start an assignment at the last minute and do reasonably well. Programming isn’t like writing a paper… In programming, it often either works or it doesn’t.

Attendance & Support

Come to class, lab, study sessions, and office hours
Ask for help early — don’t wait until you’re stuck for hours

Helpful Habits

Don’t just “get it working” — understand why it works
Start early; take frequent breaks
Take small steps (run your code frequently, not just at the end)
Retry lab and homework exercises later without looking at your prior solution
Review class materials (POGIL activities, slides, retrieval quizzes)
Discuss problems with classmates
Create your own syntax/concept cheat-sheets as you go
Review quiz and assignment feedback closely

Extra Practice

Complete “Challenge” exercises in the textbook
Python practice problems
More Python practice problems
Search online for “Python practice” — there’s no shortage of it

Patterns

Gather, Compute, Use

A simple pattern for structuring small programs:

# Gather
n = int(input("Enter a number: "))
# Compute
result = n * 2
# Use
print("Twice", n, "is", result)

Problem-Solving Strategies

Once, Twice, Many

A strategy for writing loops: solve the problem for one item, then two, then generalize into a loop.

Once — get it working for a single item:

numbers = [5]
total = numbers[0]
print("The sum is", total)

Twice — extend it to two items:

numbers = [5, 7]
total = numbers[0] + numbers[1]
print("The sum is", total)

Many — notice the duplicated pattern, then turn it into a loop:

numbers = [5, 7, 3, 8]
total = 0
for n in numbers:
    total = total + n
print("The sum is", total)

CS-104 - Introduction to Programming