Lab 1: Thonny, Python, Notebooks, and Exercises

Goals

High-level overview of today's lab

In today's lab you will:

  1. Learn how to use Thonny, which is the Integrated Development Environment (ID) that we'll use this semester to edit our code.

  2. Learn a few Python basics to write simple Thonny programs.

  3. Write some simple programs that draw pictures and create music

  4. Learn how to use two kinds of Jupyter notebooks:

    • The kind used in lectures does not have any grading associated with it.
    • The kind used in exercises uses the Potluck system to grade and record your work
  5. (If time allows) Install Thonny on your laptop.
  6. (If time allow) Get a head start on learning some Python basics from Lecture 02.

Ready? Let's grab the starter code for today's lab

Click on this link to download the code for today.

Wait, where should you put this lab01 folder?

On the lab computer, you should create a cs111 folder. This will help you keep your files organized. On your Mac's desktop, follow these steps:

  1. File > New Folder
  2. Rename the folder cs111
  3. Click on the link above (the one that says "Click on this link") and it will automatically download the lab01 folder to the Downloads folder of the lab Mac.
  4. Go to your Downloads folder and double-click the lab01.zip file to open it. This will create a lab01 folder in your Downloads folder
  5. Move the newly created lab01 folder to the cs111 folder on your Desktop.
  6. Ok, now you are ready to start programming!

This 22-second video shows how to create a 111 folder on your Desktop and then download the lab01 folder and move it into your 111 folder.

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