Foundations of Python Programming

This unit introduces students to the essential tools, environments, and constructs of Python programming used in game development. Students will learn to work in notebooks and IDEs, use core data types and operators, apply control flow and code organization, and practice basic debugging, documentation, persistence, and security concepts to prepare for building simple applications.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate proficiency with Python development environments and notebooks (Google Colab, IDEs), including entering and executing commands, using magic commands, and accessing built-in help and documentation
• Apply fundamental Python syntax and data types to create, store, and manipulate variables, strings, collections, and operators in small programs
• Implement control flow constructs (if, if…else, for, while) to process data and make program decisions, and identify and correct common syntax and runtime errors through debugging and basic QA practices
• Evaluate basic methods for organizing and persisting code and data—such as functions, classes, modules, files, email concepts, and introductory security and issue-tracking tools—and incorporate them into a simple application prototype