Lab 6 - Programming with Python

Evolution and Learning in Computational and Robotic Agents
MSE 2400   Dr. Tom Way

Introduction

• In this lab project, you will gain the necessary skills to accomplish Lab 7 during which you will create and modifiy various forms of classifiers. Along the way you will learn how to write a computer program using the Python programming language by first working through an excellent online tutorial and then by crafting a number of increasingly more involved programs of your own. The dual goals for this lab are for you to achieve a degree of confidence in solving problems by writing code using the Python language AND to gain a deeper understanding of writing code, including what is possible and what is not.
   
• Python is a widely used programming language that is used for creating web applications and for doing natural language processing. Companies like Google use Python extensively to provide their online services. A Python program is made up of one or more text files that contain the step-by-step Python instructions to make a computer do what you want it to do.
   
• For this lab, you will start with "visual programming" that uses a graphical interface. As you become more advanced in your programming skill, you will create programs by typing rather than dragging and dropping.
   
• You may work alone or with a partner for this lab.

Worth

• 100 points

Due

• At the end of the lab session designated for this work, or at a time mutually agreed to by you and the instructor.

Lab Steps

Part 1 - Why Write Code?

1. Go to Code.org and watch the video. (We may watch this as a class.)

Part 2 - Hour of Code

1. Go to the Hour of Code on the Code.org page. Watch the introductory video.
2. Complete all 20 puzzles.
3. Demonstrate your results to the instructor or TA and acquire his or her initials here: ____________
4. ALTERNATIVE TO INITIALS: If you do this work on your own, briefly describe here in writing what you did and what you learned:

Part 3 - Flappy Code

1. Go to the Flappy Code project on Code.org. Watch the introductory video.
2. Complete all 10 puzzles.
3. Demonstrate your results to the instructor or TA and acquire his or her initials here: ____________
4. ALTERNATIVE TO INITIALS: If you do this work on your own, briefly describe here in writing what you did and what you learned:

Part 4 - Lightbot

1. Go to the Lightbot project on Code.org.
2. Complete all the puzzles in Basics, Procedures and Loops.
3. Demonstrate your results to the instructor or TA and acquire his or her initials here: ____________
4. ALTERNATIVE TO INITIALS: If you do this work on your own, briefly describe here in writing what you did and what you learned:
   
    

Part 5 - Gaining mad skills in Python

1. Go to Computer Science Circles (http://cscircles.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/) and create a free account.
2. Complete the following lessons:
   • 0: Hello!
   • 1: Variables
   • 1E: Errors
   • 2: Functions
   • 2X: Extra Practice
   • 3: Comments and Quotes
   • 4: Types
   • 5: Input
   • 6: If
   • 9: Else, And, Or, Not
   • 10: def
   • 13: Lists (Arrays)
3. Demonstrate your results to the instructor or TA and acquire initials here: ____________
4. ALTERNATIVE TO INITIALS: If you work through this tutorial on your own, briefly describe here in writing what you did and what you learned:

Part 6 - Verify that Python is Installed

1. In this lab and Lab 7, you will use the IDLE Python editor. Make sure it is installed on your laptop. If it isn't installed, follow the instructions for installing Python and NLTK here.

Part 7 - Writing your first program

1. Open IDLE and write a "hello world" program.
2. Run the program (which means you need to save it first).
3. Demonstrate your "hello world" program to the instructor or TA, and acquire initials here: __________
4. ALTERNATIVE TO INITIALS: If you do this work on your own, briefly describe here in writing what you did and what you learned:

Part 8 - Understanding an existing program

1. Download and save the numberguess.py program file. Alternately, you can copy it and paste it into a new document in IDLE.
2. Download and save in the same folder the insults.txt file for use with the program.
3. Open the program in IDLE and run it.
4. Add comments to the program (a line starting with the "#" character indicates a comment) that describe what various lines or sections of code are doing. After adding comments, make sure the program still works correctly by saving it and running it again.
5. Modify the insults.txt file by adding more insults or even making the "insults" more positive rather than negative.
6. Save the revised program and insults file, and show them to the instructor or TA, and have them sign their initials here: __________
7. ALTERNATIVE TO INITIALS: If you do this work on your own, briefly describe here in writing what you did and what you learned: