Session Details

Week 1, Session 2 — Thu Dec 2

Prep

1. Zelle, §1.3, 1.5–2.4

HW Due

1. HW 1

Topics

1. Basic program structure
2. The input/compute/output pattern
3. Defining functions without parameters
4. Printing versus returning a value
5. Constructing objects
6. Using objects: dot notation for methods and instance variables
7. zellegraphics as an example of constructing and using objects
8. Robots — introduction to physical properties of the iRobot Create

Outline

1. [10 minutes] Roll call of about 1/3 of the students (repeat another third at the next session). Angel for attendance. Questions?
2. [3 minutes] Review the chaos.py program.
3. [17 minutes] Review and practice: the input-compute-output pattern. Modules:
   • m1_temperature.py (review)
   • m2_distance_from_origin.py (practice)
   • m5_logarithm.py (homework)
4. [20 minutes] Defining a function versus calling a function. Modules:
   • m3_print_vs_return.py (demonstration, then practice)
   • m6_sines_print_vs_return.py (homework)
5. [5 minutes] Check that zellegraphics is installed correctly. Fix if not. Choose robot partners for today.
6. [5 minutes] Break, fix zellegraphics if necessary, catch-up. Bring out the robots.
7. [25 minutes] Introduction of objects, using zellegraphics as the example. Modules:
   • m4_face.py (demonstration, discuss)
   • m7_picture.py (homework)
8. [15 minutes] The iRobot Create. Demo. Introduce its hardware. (Next session: programming them.)
9. [5 minutes] Explain how to find homework, how to do homework, when due, where to get help. Put robots back in cabinets. Questions?

Resources

1. Slides: Functions, Objects and Methods
2. Zellegraphics Library API: A Python module for doing cool graphics — simple graphics, but very easy to learn

HW Assigned

1. HW 2