Module 5 notes
1. Formatting Strings (Q1)
Task: Format a string using all four methods (given variables name, lab1_grade, etc.).
Example Variables:
name = "Meiying"
lab1_grade = 78
lab2_grade = 90
midterm = 89
final = 30
Desired Output:
Student name: Meiying
Lab grade:
lab1_grade: 78
lab2_grade: 90
- midterm: 89
- final: 30
4 Ways to Format Strings
1.Concatenation (+)
output = "Student name: " + name + "\nLab grade:\n\tlab1_grade: " +
str(lab1_grade) + ...
Simple
Messy for long strings
2️. Formatting (Old Style)
output = "Student name: %s\nLab grade:\n\tlab1_grade: %d..." % (name,
lab1_grade, ...)
Use %s for strings, %d for integers
3️. str.format()
output = "Student name: {}\nLab grade:\n\tlab1_grade: {}...".format(name,
lab1_grade, ...)
Supports positional ({0}) or named ({name}) arguments
4️. f-Strings
output = f"Student name: {name}\nLab grade:\n\tlab1_grade: {lab1_grade}..."
Best choice! Clean and readable.
2. Nested Function Calls
Example:
def area(length, width):
return length * width
max(area(3.3, 4.2), area(4.5, 3.1))
Execution Order:
1️. area(3.3, 4.2) → 13.86
2️. area(4.5, 3.1) → 13.95
3️. max(13.86, 13.95) → 13.95
Python evaluates arguments from left to right before passing them to the outer function.
3. Preconditions
Example Function:
def average_rating(rating_1: int, rating_2: int, rating_3: int) -> float:
"""Return the average rating given the ratings are 1 to 5."""
Preconditions:
All three ratings must be integers (int)
Each rating must be between 1 and 5 (inclusive)
If a rating is 0 or 6, it violates the contract!
4. Test Cases for is_palindrome(s)
Test Cases:
Typical Cases:
is_palindrome("noon") → True
is_palindrome("hello") → False
Edge Cases:
Empty string: is_palindrome("") → True
Single character: is_palindrome("c") → True
Different Scenarios:
Short strings: "aba" (True), "ac" (False)
Long strings: "redder" (True), "banana" (False)
Non-words: "cda9adc" (True), "akgwefd04" (False)
Case sensitivity: "Civic" (False unless lowercased in function)
Contract Violations:
is_palindrome(35) → Error!
Why test these? To ensure the function handles all possible inputs correctly.
5. Global vs. Local Variables
Key Rules:
1️. Local Scope First: Python looks inside the function first. If not found, it checks the global
scope.
2️. Modifying Globals: Use global to modify global variables inside functions (avoid this—it’s
error-prone!).
Example 1: Using a Global Variable
a = 3
def foo(b):
c = b + a # Uses global 'a'
return c
d = foo(5) # d = 5 + 3 = 8
Example 2: Modifying a Global (Bad Practice)
a = 3
def foo():
global a
a = 5 # Changes global 'a'!
foo()
print(a) # Output: 5
Best Practice: Pass globals as arguments instead of modifying them inside functions.
6. Memory Model
How Python Stores Data:
• Global Variables: Stored in the main frame
• Local Variables: Stored in function-specific frames
Example:
def foo():
x = 1 # Local variable
foo()
print(x) # Error! 'x' is local to foo().
Memory Visualization:
Before foo() is called:
[main frame]
- Variables: None
During foo() execution:
[foo frame]
- x: 1
After foo() finishes:
• foo frame is deleted.
7. Complicated Memory Models
Function Calling Another Function:
def foo_1(b):
b += foo_2(b)
return b
def foo_2(c):
c *= 2
return c
a = 3
a = foo_1(a) # Result: a = 3 + (3*2) = 9
Step-by-Step Execution:
1️.foo_1(3) is called.
2️.Inside foo_1, foo_2(3) is called → returns 6.
3️.b becomes 3 + 6 = 9.
4️.a is updated to 9.
Recursion & Stack Overflow Example:
def foo():
foo() # Calls itself infinitely!
foo() # Crash! Stack overflow.
Why? Each recursive call adds a new frame to the stack. Without a base case, the stack fills
up!
8. Coding Style Tips
Avoid Global Variables: Pass them as arguments instead.
def calculate(b, a): # 'a' is passed in
return b + a
Replace Magic Numbers:
PI = 3.14159
def degree_to_radian(deg):
return deg * PI / 180
Use named constants instead of unexplained numbers.
Summary
Scope Rules: Local → Global. Use global rarely.
Test Thoroughly: Cover edge cases, contracts, and typical use.
Memory Frames: Each function call creates a new frame.
Clean Code: Avoid globals, use f-strings, and name your constants
