Python Exam Important Points Sheet
1. Basic Python Concepts
• Variables & Data Types: int, float, str, bool, list, tuple, dict, set
• Type Checking: type(variable)
• Type Casting: int(x), float(x), str(x)
• Operators: +, -, *, /, //, %, **, and, or, not
2. Control Flow
• If-Else Conditionals:
• if x > 10:
• print("Greater")
• elif x == 10:
• print("Equal")
• else:
• print("Smaller")
• Loops:
o for x in range(n): (Loop over range)
o for key, value in dict.items(): (Dictionary iteration)
o while condition: (Loop until condition is false)
o break, continue
3. Functions
• Defining a Function:
• def add(a, b):
• return a + b
• Lambda Function: square = lambda x: x*x
• Default Arguments: def greet(name="Guest"):
4. Data Structures
• Lists:
o Mutable, ordered: [1, 2, 3]
o Methods: .append(), .pop(), .sort()
• Tuples:
o Immutable, ordered: (1, 2, 3)
• Dictionaries:
o Key-value pairs: {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 25}
o Methods: .keys(), .values(), .items()
• Sets:
o Unordered, unique values: {1, 2, 3}
o Operations: union(), intersection()
5. Exception Handling
• Try-Except:
• try:
• x = 10 / 0
• except ZeroDivisionError:
• print("Cannot divide by zero!")
6. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
• Class & Object:
• class Car:
• def __init__(self, brand):
• self.brand = brand
• my_car = Car("Toyota")
• Encapsulation: Private variables _var, __var
• Inheritance:
• class ElectricCar(Car):
• def __init__(self, brand, battery):
• super().__init__(brand)
• self.battery = battery
• Polymorphism:
o Method Overriding in subclasses
7. Modules & Libraries
• Importing Modules:
• import math
• print(math.sqrt(16))
• Common Libraries:
o NumPy: import numpy as np
o Pandas: import pandas as pd
o Flask (Web Dev): from flask import Flask
8. Miscellaneous
• List Comprehension:
• squares = [x**2 for x in range(10)]
• File Handling:
• with open("file.txt", "r") as f:
• data = f.read()
• Decorator Example:
• def decorator(func):
• def wrapper():
• print("Before function execution")
• func()
• return wrapper
Exam Tips:
• Focus on syntax and commonly used functions.
• Practice writing short code snippets.
• Revise OOP concepts thoroughly.
• Understand error handling and debugging.
• Be familiar with list/dict comprehensions.
• Time management: Don't spend too long on one question!
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Concepts in Python
OOP is a programming paradigm that organizes code into objects, which group data and behavior
together. The main concepts are:
1. Classes and Objects
• Class: A blueprint for creating objects. It defines attributes (variables) and methods
(functions) that describe an object.
• Object: An instance of a class that has its own data but follows the class structure.
Example Analogy:
A "Car" class can define attributes like brand and model, and behaviors like start() and stop(). An
object of this class would be a specific car, such as a Toyota Corolla.
2. Encapsulation
• Definition: The concept of restricting direct access to certain details of an object and
controlling interactions through methods.
• Access Modifiers:
o Public: Accessible from anywhere.
o Protected (_var): Meant for internal use but still accessible.
o Private (__var): Cannot be accessed directly from outside the class.
Why is it useful?
Encapsulation protects data integrity and prevents unintended modifications by enforcing controlled
access.
3. Inheritance
• Definition: A mechanism where a child class derives attributes and methods from a parent
class, promoting code reuse.
• Types of Inheritance:
1. Single Inheritance – One child class inherits from one parent class.
2. Multiple Inheritance – A child class inherits from multiple parent classes.
3. Multilevel Inheritance – A child class inherits from a parent class, which itself
inherits from another parent.
4. Hierarchical Inheritance – Multiple child classes inherit from a single parent.
Why use it?
Inheritance avoids code duplication, making programs easier to maintain and extend.
Example Analogy:
A Vehicle class may define general attributes like speed and fuel, while Car and Bike classes inherit
from Vehicle, adding their specific behaviors.
