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COMP 1000: Think Like a Computer The PreTeXt Interactive Edition

Section 12.2 Week 1 Lab

Note 12.2.1. Material Covered.

Today’s lab focuses on getting Python and IDLE installed and working on your computer.
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Subsection 12.2.1 Level 1 - Show IDLE is working on your computer

  1. Follow the instructions on UMLearn in Week 0 – Programming Resources. Then watch the IDLE introduction movie and go on to complete the next step.
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  2. Launch IDLE:
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    On a Mac, use spotlight (type command-space and then type IDLE) or find IDLE in your launchpad and double-click on it.
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    On Windows, type IDLE in the Windows search bar.
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  3. When IDLE opens, you are in the IDLE console. To make sure it is working, type the following: print(“Hello World”)
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  4. Then in the upper left hand corner, click ‘File’, then ‘New File’ to open an empty file that you can then type, run, and save code.
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  5. Now type the same code from Step 3 and then save this file with the name: test.py
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    Pick a directory to save your .py files so in the future you can easily find them.
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  6. When you open a new file, a ‘Run’ option should appear in your toolbar. Click it and then click ‘Run Module’.
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  7. Show your instructor that you have IDLE installed and working on your computer to get credit for Part 1.
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Note 12.2.2.

Integrated Development and Learning Environment (IDLE)
  1. IDLE is a simple programming environment that comes with any Python 3.x installation.
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  2. It offers a good way to test out syntax and see how a certain Python command works.
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  3. Typing code in IDLE is NOT the same thing as typing code in a file but it does offer the ability to create, edit and save Python programs as .py files.
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  4. When you create a Python program and save it as a .py file, you should run it to test it.
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  5. The main assignments for this course require the submission of .py files on UMLearn.
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Subsection 12.2.2 Level 2 - Write a turtle program

Note 12.2.3.

Do NOT ever save one of your files as turtle.py because this action will overwrite the turtle module and your turtle-based programs will stop working.
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  1. Open a new file in IDLE, then type in the following:
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    import turtle
wn = turtle.Screen()
niki = turtle.Turtle()
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  2. Notice that the color of “import” is orange. This is called syntax highlighting which IDLE does to show that it recognizes certain Python commands.
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  3. Add a few turtle movements to the above code and then save this program as lab_test.py
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  4. Now click Run -> Run Module (or type F5) to run your program. This will open a new window with title of Python Turtle Graphics.
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  5. Notice the three dark red >>> in IDLE which indicates that the program ran and is finished with IDLE ready to run another program.
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  6. Edit your program so that your turtle draws a simple picture of a house ⌂ and save this file as house.py
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    If you get stuck, add the following code (with comments to describe what the code does):
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    # draws bottom of house
niki.right(90)
niki.forward(128)
niki.left(90)   
niki.forward(128)
niki.left(90)
niki.forward(128)
niki.left(90)
niki.forward(128)

# draws roof of house
niki.right(135)
niki.forward(90)
niki.right(90)
niki.forward(90)
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  7. Add a comment block at the top of your file.
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    ################################
# First name  Last name
# COMP 1000
# Week 1 Lab, Part 2
# Turtle house drawing 
################################
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  8. Lastly, select ’Show Line Numbers’ under ’Options’ in the toolbar.
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  9. Show your instructor that your turtle program draws a house to get credit for Part 2.
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Note 12.2.4.

For windows operating system users: to associate .py files with IDLE, right click on the file and select “Properties” from the context menu and then the “Change” button where it says “Open with..”
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Subsection 12.2.3 Level 3 - Type turtle program into IDLE

In this last part, you will type your turtle program directly into the IDLE console, one line at a time. This is a very different experience because IDLE interprets and executes each line after you hit ‘return’.
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  1. In the IDLE console, type import turtle then press ’return’. Python imported the turtle module and is now ready to accept the next command (see the >>>).
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  2. Next type wn = turtle.Screen() then press ’return’. Python creates and displays an empty turtle canvas and again the prompt >>> indicates that IDLE is ready for the next command.
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  3. Now type niki = turtle.Turtle() and press ’return’. Python creates a turtle and displays it at the x,y coordinate (0,0) which is the center of the canvas. Again the >>> prompt appears.
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  4. Now make the turtle move with niki.forward(100).
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  5. Notice that text entered into IDLE can’t be edited after the line of code has been executed when you press ’return’. Test this out by trying to change a line of code that you entered.
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  6. Let’s say you were writing a program and you didn’t remember how Python handles mathematical order of operations (for example, “4 + 8/2”). How is IDLE useful in this situation as compared to just typing the statement directly into your program file?
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  7. Show your instructor your IDLE console to demonstrate that you have tried the above commands for Steps 1 to 4 to get credit for Part 3.
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Congratulations you have completed your first lab writing Python code! 👏🎉🥳
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