Links to the chapters from the required reading for the CST 1101 topics. In addition to the reading materials listed below check the lecture notes provided by the instructor.

1. Topic 1:
   • Introduction
     • What is problem solving?
     • Why Python?
     • Why Flowcharts?
   • Computer problem solving:
     • Solution = program / algorithm
     • Well-defined set of steps
     • Examples of problems solved using sets of steps: cooking recipes, puzzles
   • Required reading:
     • Section 1.1 (What is a program?)
     • Glossary
   • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
     • 1.1. The Way of the Program.
     • 1.2. Algorithms
2. Topic 2:
   • IDLE introduction, installation tips
   • My first “Hello, World” program
   • Code readability and comments, Introduction of two modes for Python IDLE (interactive and shell).
   • Saving Python scripts and flowcharts. How saved scripts and flowcharts can be called and run/executed.
   • Required reading:
     • Section 1.2 (Running Python).
     • Section 1.3 (The first program).
     • Section 1.4 (Arithmetic operators).
     • Section 1.6 (Formal and natural languages).
     • Section 1.7 (Debugging).
     • Flowgarithm tutorial
     • Flowgarithm comments
   • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
     • 1.3. The Python Programming Language.
     • 1.4. Executing Python in this Book
     • 1.5. More About Programs
     • 1.6. What is debugging?
     • 1.7. Syntax errors
     • 1.8. Runtime errors
     • 1.9. Semantic errors
     • 1.10. Experimental Debugging
     • 1.11. Formal and Natural Languages
     • 1.12. A Typical First Program
     • 1.13. Comments
3. Topic 3:
   • Variables, types, and data input/output
   • Required reading:
     • Section 1.5  (Values types).
     • Chapter 2 (Variables, expressions and statements.
     • Section 5.1  (Floor division and modulus): pay attention to the distinction between integer and float numbers
     • Section 7.1  (Reassignment)
     • Section 7.2  (Updating variables)
     • Flowgarithm Data Types
     • Flowgarithm identifiers
     • Flowgarithm Variable Declaration
     • Flowgarithm input
     • Flowgarithm output
     • Exercises
   • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
     • 2. Simple Python Data
     • Formatted output
4. Topic 4:
   • Boolean logic
   • Boolean operations: and, or, not
   • Conditional execution (if-else)
   • Required reading:
     • Section 5.2 (Boolean expressions).
     • Section 5.3 (Logical operators).
     • Section 5.4 (Conditional execution).
     • Section 5.5 (Alternative execution).
     • Section 5.6 (Chained conditionals).
     • Section 5.7 (Nested conditionals).
     • Flowgarithm IF statement
     • Glossary on Selection, Branching, etc.
     • Exercises (1, 2, 3)
   • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
     • Selection (Skip 7.8)
5. Topic 5:
   • Functions
   • Why creating modules within a program?
   • Void functions VS fruitful functions
   • Passing input parameters and arguments
   • Function return value
   • Required reading:
     • Section 3.1 (Function calls).
     • Section 3.4 (Adding new functions).
     • Section 3.5 (Definitions and uses).
     • Section 3.6 (Flow of execution).
     • Section 3.7 (Parameters and arguments).
     • Section 3.8 (Variables and parameters are local).
     • Section 3.10 (Fruitful functions and void functions).
     • Section 3.11 (Why functions?).
     • Section 3.12 (Debugging).
     • Section 5.8 (Recursion).
     • Chapter 6 (Fruitful functions), except Section 6.5.
     • Section 4.9 (docstring documentation).
     • Section 3.13 (Glossary).
     • Flowgarithm CALL functions
   • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
     • Section 8.3 While
     • Section 8.7 Other uses of while
6. Topic 6:
   • While loop
   • Condition controlled loop
   • Required reading:
     • Section 7.3  (The while statement)
     • Section 7.4  (break)
     • Section 7.6  (Algorithms)
     • Section 7.7  (Debugging)
     • Section 7.8  (Glossary)
     • Flowgarithm while loop
   • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
     • 8.3 The While loop
     • 8.7 Other uses of while
7. Topic 7:
   • Lists and arrays
   • Required reading:
     • Chapter 10  (Lists)
     • Flowgarithm Array Squares download
   • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
     • 10 Lists (10.1 – 10.13, 10.23, 10.25, 10.26)
8. Topic 8:
   • For loop
   • For vs While loop
   • Importing modules
   • Required reading:
     • Section 4.4. The for Loop
     • Section 4.5. Flow of Execution of the for Loop
     • Section 4.7. The range Function
     • Section 10.17 (Lists and for loops)
     • Chapter 5 (Python Modules)
     • Flowgarithm For loop
   • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
     • 8.2. The for loop revisited
     • 9.10 Traversal and the for Loop: By Item
     • 9.11 Traversal and the for Loop: By Index
     • 9.12. Traversal and the while Loop (For loop vs While loop)
9. Topic 9:
   • String as a special case of a list
   • Strings and iteration
   • Files
   • Required reading:
     • Chapter 8 (Strings)
     • Chapter 14 (Files)
     • Flowgarithm String Data Type
   • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
     • 9 Strings
10. Topic 10:
    • Introduction of the OOP paradigm
    • Required reading:
      • Chapter 15 Classes and objects
    • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
      • 16. Classes and Objects – the Basics
11. Topic 11:
    • Turtle graphics
    • Required reading:
      • Chapter 4 Case study: interface design
    • (Strongly) Recommended reading:
      • Chapter 4. Python Turtle Graphics