📝Week 1 - Lab Intro#

In this lab introduction we will briefly revisit some of the key topics from lecture 1, focusing on those relevant to lab 1.

Python’s Built-in Functions#

Importing Built-in Modules#

The base package of python contains built-in modules. These have to be imported before they can be used.

You import modules using

import <Module Name>

Random#

We can use random to sample a random integer. This would make a 6-sided die.

import random

dice = random.randint(1,6)
print(dice)

4

You can view everything included in the standard library here

Importing External Packages#

Syntax

Reminder: there are many ways to import packages

from {package name} import {module}

from {package name} import {module} as {name}</code></pre>

Importing Numpy#

A common package for scientific computing is Numpy, it is most commonly imported and given the shortened name np.

import numpy as np

Use numpy to find the mean of a list of numbers

print(np.mean([1,2,3,4]))

2.5

Variables#

Variables are containers for storing data values.

x = 5

y = "Drexel"

print(x)

5

print(y)

Drexel

Python Operators#

Operators are used to perform operations on variables and values.

For example we can use the + operator to add two number (or strings together)

5 + 10

15

'Drexel' + ' ' + 'Engineer'

'Drexel Engineer'

Reminder: a few useful operators#

Here’s a reminder about a few of the operators that may be new to you

Modulus %#

The remainder after dividing by a number

x = 5
y = 3

print(x % y)

2

Floor Division //#

The floor division // rounds the result of division down to the nearest whole number

x = 5
y = 3

print(x // y)

1

Addition and Assignment +=#

Add to a variable and reassign the value

x = 5
x += 3

print(x)

8

Equal To ==#

Check to see if two variables are equal

x = 3
y = 5

print(x == x)
print(x == y)

True
False