python_catchup_2024/1_variables.py

"""
In this example, we'll cover the fundamental variable types in Python and introduce the basics of functions.

Key Concepts:
    **Variables**: Variables store data that can be changed while the program is running. 
    
    **Dynamic Typing**: Python is a dynamically-typed language, which means you don't need to specify
     the data type of a variable explicitly (unlike statically-typed languages like C or Java, where you do).
     - Example in Java: `int number = 1;`
     - In Python: `number = 1` (Python automatically understands that `number` is an integer).
"""

# The following are common variable types in Python. This list is not exhaustive, but it covers the basics.

# Integer: An integer (int) represents a whole number, with no decimal point.
number = 1  

# Float: A floating point number (float) represents a number with a decimal point.
number_float = 1.1  

# String: A string (str) represents a sequence of characters, typically used for text.
text = "Hello, World!"  

# Boolean: A boolean (bool) represents a logical value, either True or False.
boolean = True  

# List: A list stores a collection of values in a specific order, and the values can be of any type.
# Lists are mutable, meaning they can be changed after they're created (e.g., adding or removing items).
a_list = ["Apple", 64, 1.1, True]  

# Tuple: A tuple is similar to a list in that it can store multiple values, but it is immutable,
# meaning once it's created, it cannot be changed.
a_tuple = ("Apple", 54, 11, 1.2, False)  

#dict: stores a value with a key
# Dictionaries (dict) are extremely useful, they allow you to map a name (key) to a value. 
# they are mutable, meaning they can be changed after they're created (e.g., adding or removing items).
dictionary = {
    "Jan" : "January",
    "Feb" : "February",
    "Mar" : "March",
    "Apr" : "April",
    "May" : "May",
    "Jun" : "June",
    "Jul" : "July",
    "Aug" : "August",
    "Sep" : "September",
    "Oct" : "October",
    "Nov" : "November",
    "Dec" : "December"
}


"""
A function allows you to define a reusable block of code that performs a specific task. 

Functions can:
- Take input (called parameters or arguments)
- Perform operations with that input
- Return a result, or simply perform an action (like printing something)

Below is a function called `show_type` that takes in one parameter, `var`, and prints its data type.
"""

def show_type(var):
    """Prints the data type of the variable passed to it."""
    print(f"The type of {var} is {type(var)}")

# Let's test our function with the variables defined above.

# Expected output: <class 'int'>
show_type(number)         

# Expected output: <class 'float'>
show_type(number_float)   

# Expected output: <class 'str'>
show_type(text)

# Expected output: <class 'bool'>
show_type(boolean)      

# Expected output: <class 'list'>  
show_type(a_list)

# Expected output: <class 'tuple'>          
show_type(a_tuple)