Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects

Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects

This course is part of Programming in Python: A Hands-on Introduction Specialization

Instructors: Patrick Ester

What you'll learn

Define and use custom functions to improve code readability
When and how to use recursion instead of iteration
Create and modify custom objects

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Taught in English

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This course is part of the Programming in Python: A Hands-on Introduction Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

Code and run your first python program in minutes without installing anything!

This course is designed for learners with limited coding experience, providing a solid foundation of not just python, but core Computer Science topics that can be transferred to other languages. The modules in this course cover functions, recursion, objects, and mutability. Completion of the prior 2 courses in this specialization are recommended. To allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience, this course is video-free. Assignments contain short explanations with images and runnable code examples with suggested edits to explore code examples further, building a deeper understanding by doing. You'll benefit from instant feedback from a variety of assessment items along the way, gently progressing from quick understanding checks (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and un-scrambling code blocks) to small, approachable coding exercises that take minutes instead of hours.

Welcome to Week 1 of the Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects course. These assignments cover re-using pieces of code by wrapping them in functions. You can create functions that take in and/or return data. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

What's included

8 readings7 app items

8 readingsTotal 16 minutes

Navigating Codio Assignments5 minutes
Function Basics Lesson Notes (Optional Download)1 minute
Parameters Lesson Notes (Optional Download)1 minute
Variable Scope Lesson Notes (Optional Download)1 minute
Returning Values Lesson Notes (Optional Download)1 minute
Advanced Function Concepts Lesson Notes (Optional Download)1 minute
Functions Lab (Review and Practice) Lesson Notes (Optional Download)1 minute
How to Reset an Assignment in Codio5 minutes

7 app itemsTotal 240 minutes

Codio: Functions Coding Exercises45 minutes
Codio: Function Basics30 minutes
Codio: Parameters30 minutes
Codio: Variable Scope30 minutes
Codio: Returning Values30 minutes
Codio: Advanced Function Concepts30 minutes
Codio: Functions Lab45 minutes

Welcome to Week 2 of the Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects course. These assignments cover creating recursive functions and identifying when recursion can be used instead of traditional iteration. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

What's included

2 readings3 app items

Welcome to Week 3 of the Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects course. These assignments cover creating user-defined classes and how to instantiate an object based on these classes. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

What's included

2 readings3 app items

Welcome to Week 4 of the Python Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects course. These assignments cover changing attributes associated with an object through methods. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.