Python Fundamentals, part II

This week we continue with the theme of Python scripting basics, and throw in an introduction of conditional statements.  Python, like most programming languages, accomplishes a plethora of different tasks with conditional statements; one could contend intimate knowledge of their use is a cornerstone of any successful Python tutelage.  Another integral function of Python's ability to control different workflows is the loop structure- such as while and for statements.

This screenshot displays an output of a script that uses lists of strings and numbers, a random number module, and some loop and conditional statements.  The output displayed (at the bottom of the script) is a list of random numbers, with an "unlucky" number defined, identified within the random list, an output of the list with all instances of that number removed, and one of two statements- dependent upon whether the defined number was present in the random list or not. It is also the fruits of a few hours of what might be considered, on the part of this blog author, the ultimate test of "trial-and-error patience."  Merely explaining to someone how a given process works doesn't make for a very effective lesson.  To really teach someone a concept like writing Python script it is necessary to, at a certain point, state the required output, and omit the step-by-step instruction.  It is then up to the student to sink or swim- learn how to use the code and produce the results, or don't.  It is an effective teaching strategy, to be sure, but an unfortunate by-product (for those of us with pathetically short tempers) is vexation of a level difficult to enumerate in words.  The script is written, though, the task completed, and the lesson not one to be easily forgotten.