An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1) (Coursera)

These applications will involve windows whose contents are graphical and respond to buttons, the keyboard and the mouse.

In part 1 of this course, we will introduce the basic elements of programming (such as expressions, conditionals, and functions) and then use these elements to create simple interactive applications such as a digital stopwatch. Part 1 of this class will culminate in building a version of the classic arcade game "Pong".

Course 1 of 7 in the Fundamentals of Computing Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Statements, expressions, variables

Understand the structure of this class, explore Python as a calculator

WEEK 2

Functions, logic, conditionals

Learn the basic constructs of Python programming, create a program that plays a variant of Rock-Paper-Scissors

WEEK 3

Event-driven programming, local/global variables

Learn the basics of event-driven programming, understand difference between local and global variables, create an interactive program that plays a simple guessing game

WEEK 4

Canvas, drawing, timers

Create a canvas in Python, learn how to draw on the canvas, create a digital stopwatch

WEEK 5

Lists, keyboard input, the basics of modeling motion

Learn the basics of lists in Python, model moving objects in Python, recreate the classic arcade game "Pong"