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Programming Fundamentals

Approx. 18 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course teaches programming fundamentals using Python. Students will learn how to write basic programs and algorithms, work with data structures, and debug their code.

Key Learning Points

Learn programming fundamentals using Python
Write basic programs and algorithms
Work with data structures
Debug code effectively

Learning Outcomes

Write basic programs and algorithms in Python
Implement and work with data structures in Python
Debug code effectively using various tools and methods

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of programming concepts
Access to a computer with Python installed

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

Online self-paced
Video lectures
Interactive quizzes and assignments

Similar Courses

Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)
Python Data Structures
Python 3 Programming

Related Education Paths

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Description

Programming is an increasingly important skill, whether you aspire to a career in software development, or in other fields. This course is the first in the specialization Introduction to Programming in C, but its lessons extend to any language you might want to learn. This is because programming is fundamentally about figuring out how to solve a class of problems and writing the algorithm, a clear set of steps to solve any problem in its class. This course will introduce you to a powerful problem-solving process—the Seven Steps—which you can use to solve any programming problem. In this course, you will learn how to develop an algorithm, then progress to reading code and understanding how programming concepts relate to algorithms.

Outline

Introduction
Why You Should Learn to Program
Stepping Through An Algorithm
Testing an Algorithm for a Numerical Sequence
A Pattern of Squares
Testing a Pattern of Squares
Drawing a Rectangle
Closest Point
Generalizing Closest Point
Programming: Plan First, Then Code
Overview of the Seven Steps
Algorithms
Step 1: Work an Example Yourself
Step 2: Write Down What You Just Did
Step 3: Generalize Your Steps
Step 4: Test Your Algorithm
A Pattern of Squares
Next Steps
Steps 1–4
Algorithm Practice
Algorithms

Reading Code
Why You Should Learn to Read Code
Declaring and Assigning a Variable
Examples of Expressions
Using Functions for Abstraction
Execution of Function Calls
Printing Example
Execution of If/Else
Execution of Switch/Case
While Loops
Equivalent For and While Loops
Execution of Nested Loops
Execution of Continue
Declaring a Variable
Assigning a Variable
Expressions with Common Operators
Anatomy of a Function
How to Evaluate a Function
Scope
Printing
Conditional Statements
If/Else
Switch/Case
Shorthand
Loops for Repetition
While Loops
Do/While Loops
For Loops
Continue and Break
Higher-level Meaning
Variables and Expressions
Functions
Printing
Logical Operators
Conditional Statements
While Loops
Loops
Reading Code

Types
Introduction to Types
Types and Formatted Output
Type Conversion
Everything Is a Number
Struct for a Rectangle
Uses of Typedef
Enumerated Types
A Duke Software Engineering Student on the Importance of Planning
Converting between Decimal and Binary
Looking under the Hood
Basic Data Types
char
int
float and double
Printing redux
Expressions Have Types
Type Conversion
Casting
Overflow and Underflow
"Non-numbers"
Strings
Images
Sound and Video
Structs
Typedef
Enumerated Types
Decimal, Hex, and Binary
Basic Data Types
Expressions Have Types
"Non-numbers"
Complex, Custom Data Types
Types

Project
Importance of Writing a Specific Algorithm
Introduction to Sorting
Sample PB&J Algorithm with Feedback
Writing a Sorting Algorithm

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the Programming Fundamentals with this online course on Coursera. This course has received positive reviews from its users. Many users have praised the course's comprehensive approach to teaching programming fundamentals.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course provides a comprehensive approach to teaching programming fundamentals.

Pros from User Reviews

Course material is well-organized and easy to follow.
The instructor is knowledgeable and engaging.
The course offers a good balance of theory and practical exercises.
The course has a supportive online community.
The course is a good value for the price.

Cons from User Reviews

Some users have reported technical difficulties with the course platform.
The course may be too basic for advanced programmers.
The course does not cover advanced topics.
The course exercises can be repetitive.
The course may not be suitable for those who prefer in-person instruction.

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