Python MTA Certification Review

str()
A Python data type that holds a string of characters.

int()
A native type representing the integers, which are positive whole numbers and their opposites.

float()
A native type representing rational numbers to limited precision.

boolean
A single value of either TRUE or FALSE

indexing
Finding the position of a character in a string or a string in a list, uses [ ]. Always starts at 0.

Slicing
Using indexing to single out a single "piece" of a string or list. [1:2], [:2], [1:]

Assignment
Setting the value of a variable.

Comparison Operators
Symbols that evaluate each value to determine if it is the same (=), greater than (>), less than (<), or in between a range of values as specified by the criteria.

logical operators
And, or, not... in Python also is and in ... assist in setting up proper logic in a program, basic Boolean logic is performed when executing.

Arithmetic
Mathematics performed by the executor, uses /+*%

Identity operator
Simply "is", determines if one variable is the other.

Containment operator
Simply "in", determines if a variable is located in a string or list.

if statement
A line that determines whether or not you run a certain chunk of code

elif statement
An optional construction in an if-clause that allows you to evaluate multiple alternate conditions.

else statement
The code to be executed if the if-condition evaluates to False in an if-structure.

nested conditional
A conditional statement that appears in one of the branches of another conditional statement.

Compound Conditional
A conditional with one or more logical operators used to incorporate several logical expressions.

while loop
A control flow statement that allows code to be executed repeatedly as long as its condition remains True.

for loop
Loops that have a predetermined beginning, end, and increment (step interval).

break
When read by the prompter, causes the loop or function to be exited.

Continue
When read by the prompter, causes the current iteration of a loop to be skipped.

Pass
A placeholder for a conditional.

nested loop
A loop inside the body of another loop.

.open()
Opens a file.

.close()
Closes a file.

"r"
The syntax for opening a file in read mode.

"w"
The syntax for opening a file in write mode.

"a"
The syntax for opening a file in append mode.

os.path.isfile(path)
Determines if a file exists.

os.remove("test.txt")
Deletes the file expressed.

with statement
Allows statements like try/except to be reusable.

f
Put in front of a string that is to be printed to format the variable value into the variable keyword's place.

#
This signifies a one line comment.

"""
"""
This signifies a multiline comment w/ the comment between the sets of quotations.

Indentation
to move one or more lines inward from the margins. Signifies that that line acts under the loop or statement.

pydoc
Python documentation. Access through Powershell via "python -m pydoc [method]"

Calling a function
Calling a function is using a function in your program. To call a function you use the function name followed by parantheses that contain any arguments and then a semicolon. To call the function calculate with the arguments 2 and 3, the code would look like this: calculate(2,3);   | When a function is called all the lines of code or actions that define a function will be run.

Default values
If the operator does not assign values in computer operations, the computer automatically can assign. Parameters that have default values must be inputted last in the function definition.

Return command
Sends a value back to the calling method. Can only return one value.

Def
used to create a new user defined function

syntax error
An error in a program that makes it impossible to parse — and therefore impossible to interpret. Caused by errors in typing the code.

logic error
An error in a program that makes it do something other than what the programmer intended.

runtime error
An error that occurs when the program is run using certain sets of data that result in some illegal operation, such as dividing by zero.

try statement
contains a block of code. If an error occurs during execution, the try statement catches the exception, preventing a crash.

except statement
In the case of the code in the try statement failing, this provides an error message created by the programmer.

else statement
If the try statement works, this runs.

finally statement
The final statement in exception-handling code, which executes regardless of whether its associated try block throws an exception.

raise
provide the user with the error in a try/except statement.

math
A built in module in python that is called by inputting the command import math

datetime
Imported from the datetime library. | datetime.now() | [ Gives date and time to programs ]

.io
Read and open files.

.sys
Deals with system files, such as errors.

.os
Edit and use files and folders.

os.path
Operating system path module: allows many functions to occur on a specified path. Ex: os.path exists will return a true or false if a file does or doesn't exist

random
module that imports the ability to create random sequences.