Python Practice Files

Becoming a proficient coder requires practice. This section introduces some practice files that will help you become a better coder by completing challenges.

Learning Objectives

In this exercise, you will:

  • download and extract .zip files, and
  • examine files in Visual Studio Code.

Video Walkthrough

Use this video to follow along with the steps in this lab.

Download and Extract

  • Click here to download a zip file.
  • Save the file to your Python source code folder.
  • Right-click on the file and choose Extract All...
  • Keep the recommended destination. This will create a new folder called practice_python.
  • Click Extract.
  • Close the Windows Explorer window showing the extracted files.
  • Delete practice_python.zip. You can always download it again if needed. Windows does not let you modify files inside zip files, so deleting the zip file helps ensure that you are working with the extracted files, not files inside the zip file.

Inspect the Code in Visual Studio Code

  • Open Visual Studio Code.
  • Open your Python source code folder if needed. Visual Studio Code remembers the last folder you had open, so you may not need to open it again.
  • Expand the practice_python folder.
  • Expand the hello folder.
  • Open hello.py.
  • Complete the challenge by writing the simple "Hello World" Python program.
  • Run the code by clicking the Play button. The play button is a quick alternative to using the Run menu.
  • Evaluate the program's output.

Practice Example

Challenge

  • Fix the code in hello/fix_hello_1.py. Run the code to ensure it works.
  • Fix the code in hello/fix_hello_2.py. Run the code to ensure it works.

Reflection

  • In what ways is learning a programming language like learning math?
  • What techniques will help you remember programming language syntax?