Lesson 1

Introduction to Software and Programming Concepts

Item 1

Programming Languages

A programming language is a set of rules used to write instructions a computer can follow. High-level languages (like Python) are close to human language and easy to read. Low-level languages (like Assembly and Machine Code) are close to the hardware, faster, and use fewer resources.

Program — A set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.

High-level language — Easy for humans to read, e.g. Python.

Low-level language — Close to machine code; fast and precise.

Interpreter — Executes code line by line.

Try it — edit the code and press Run:

# Python is a high-level language
print("Hello, World!")

Item 2

Algorithms and Flowchart

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem. A flowchart draws the algorithm using shapes: oval for Start/End, parallelogram for Input/Output, rectangle for Process and diamond for Decision.

Algorithm — A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.

Flowchart — A diagram that represents an algorithm.

Pseudocode — Writing the steps in simple English before coding.

Try it — edit the code and press Run:

# Algorithm: add two numbers
# Step 1: Start
a = 5          # Step 2: Read a
b = 7          # Step 3: Read b
s = a + b      # Step 4: sum = a + b
print(s)       # Step 5: Print sum
# Step 6: End

Item 3

Python Programming Structure

A Python program is made of statements, variables and comments. A variable stores a value. Variable names cannot start with a number, cannot contain spaces and are case-sensitive. Comments start with # and are ignored by Python.

Variable — A named place in memory that stores a value.

Comment — A note in code that Python ignores (#).

Indentation — Spaces at the start of a line that define code blocks.

Syntax — The grammar rules of the language.

Try it — edit the code and press Run:

# Variables
A = 42
B = 3.14
C = "X"
print(A, B, C)
"""
This is a
multi-line comment
"""

Item 4

Output and User Input

print() displays output on the screen. Escape sequences like \n (new line) and \t (tab) format text. input() reads text from the user and always returns a string.

print() — Displays output.

input() — Accepts user input as a string.

Escape sequence — Special character starting with \ like \n or \t.

f-string — Formatted string: f"Hello {name}".

Try it — edit the code and press Run:

print("Line 1\nLine 2")
print("Name:\tAli")
user_input = input("Enter your name: ")
print("Hello " + user_input + "!")

Quick Quiz

1. Which is the correct stage to convert an algorithm into code?

2. What is the role of the Python Interpreter?

3. Which of the following is an invalid variable name?

4. What is the correct way to output "Hello" in Python?

5. Which function is used to accept user input?

6. What is an algorithm?

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Practice

Auto-checked exercises at three levels. Open hints one by one before the solution.

⭐Basic

Say hello

Print exactly: Hello, Python!

# write your code here

⭐⭐Intermediate

Print your name 5 times

Store the name Sara in a variable called name, then print it 5 times (each on a new line).

name = "Sara"

⭐⭐⭐Challenge

Profile card

Create name = "Ali", age = 16 and print using an f-string exactly: Name: Ali | Age: 16

name = "Ali"
age = 16

Smart Assistant Project

Task 1: Student Profiles

Goal: Initialize the project and store student profiles.

Requirement: Ask for a student's Name, Age and Grade_Level. Store them as variables and print a "Student Profile Card" using f-strings.

name = input("Name: ")
age = input("Age: ")
grade_level = input("Grade level: ")

print("===== Student Profile Card =====")
print(f"Name: {name}")
# complete the card...

Lesson 2