Problem Solving and Python Programming - GE3151, GE8151 Anna University -  Important Questions Answers, Question Paper, Lecture Notes, Study Material

A major part of programming is debugging – spending seconds, minutes, hours or days going through code that should work to find out why it doesn’t. Python can help you save time and effort with its built-in debugger. There are many external packages, scripts and utilities available to use in Python. These can help you solve problems like parsing log files, working with GIS and astronautical data, and training machine learning algorithms.

 

Identifying the Problem

 

Python's interactive interpreter is pretty good at catching syntax errors - mistakes in the use of the python problem solver language like misspelling or incomplete grammar. If a program has a syntax error, it will stop executing immediately with an error message.

 

The problem with a syntax error is that the location of the error within the code cannot always be determined. For example, if the error occurs in a block of code such as an if statement, the error may not be apparent until later in the block.

 

A more difficult type of error to diagnose and solve is a logic error. These are the "bugs" that cause unexpected behavior in your program. Debugging tools help you figure out where and why a bug is occurring in your code. These tools include examining logs, setting breakpoints and inspecting your code one line at a time. The goal is to find and remove the bug from your program.

 

Breaking Down the Problem

 

In programming, big problems are often solved by breaking them down into smaller, easier to solve, parts. This can be done by making a flow chart or UML of the problem and dividing it into small chunks, or by writing independent functions for each part of the problem. This process is called debugging and it can help programmers see where the code goes wrong.

 

Python is a high-level, interpreted computer programming language developed by Guido van Rossum in 1991. It is free and open source, which means anyone can modify it. Its flexible syntax allows programmers to express concepts in fewer lines of code than would be possible with other languages, and its human-readable syntax makes it easy for other team members to understand. It is used for everything from regional failover monitoring software to machine learning. The popularity of python has grown significantly over the years, and it’s now one of the most popular languages for coding in the world.

 

Experimenting

 

Python has an extensive pool of modules and libraries. A wide support community is also available, which means if coders run into a roadblock, finding a solution can be relatively easy; somebody else has likely been in their shoes before.

 

Python's syntax is human readable, which allows programmers to write code quickly and easily. The language is also easy for fellow problem solvers on a team to understand, which can save time in the design, prototype, test, iterate cycle.

 

While other computer languages like MATLAB and LabView cost money, Python is free to download and use. This makes it an ideal choice for problem solving projects that require the use of a computer for data analysis, physical modeling and machine learning.

 

Reviewing Your Code

 

It’s important to look back and analyze the code you write after it’s written. This helps you identify mistakes and inefficiencies that may have slipped by unnoticed. This process is known as code review and is one of the most important parts of software development.

 

A good review should include comparing the code to the original scope and making sure that all necessary functionality is being added. It’s also helpful to check that the code adheres to coding standards and follows best practices. There are many tools, including linters like PyLint and Synk Code, that can help you spot coding errors and inefficiencies without slowing down your development cycle.

 

Python is a great choice for solving computational problems because it allows you to quickly prototype and test solutions. Additionally, the language’s syntax is human readable, which makes it easier for your teammates to read and understand your code.