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Python 9618 Guide

The document is a comprehensive Python Learning Guide for Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science 9618 (Paper 4), covering essential topics such as Python basics, control structures, lists and strings, functions, file handling, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques. It emphasizes good coding practices and includes sample topics from past papers to aid in preparation. Additionally, it encourages practicing past papers from 2021 onward to enhance understanding and coding skills.

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Muhammad Arham Khaliq
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256 views3 pages

Python 9618 Guide

The document is a comprehensive Python Learning Guide for Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science 9618 (Paper 4), covering essential topics such as Python basics, control structures, lists and strings, functions, file handling, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques. It emphasizes good coding practices and includes sample topics from past papers to aid in preparation. Additionally, it encourages practicing past papers from 2021 onward to enhance understanding and coding skills.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Arham Khaliq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Python Learning Guide for Cambridge International AS & A Level

Computer Science 9618 (Paper 4)

1. Python Basics (Essential)


 Variables and Data Types
o int, float, str, bool
o Type casting: int(), str(), float()
 Input and Output
o input(), print()
o String formatting using f"..."
 Operators
o Arithmetic: +, -, *, /, //, %, **
o Comparison: ==, !=, >, <, >=, <=
o Logical: and, or, not

2. Control Structures
 Conditional Statements

if condition:
...
elif condition:
...
else:
...

 Loops

o for loop: iterating over a range or list


o while loop: condition-based iteration
o break and continue

3. Lists and Strings


 List creation and manipulation
o Append, insert, remove, index, pop
o Looping through lists
o Nested lists (2D lists)
 String manipulation
o Slicing: s[0:3], s[::-1]
o Built-in functions: .lower(), .upper(), .strip(), .find(),
.replace()
4. Functions and Procedures
 Defining and calling functions

def my_function(param1, param2):


return result

 Parameters and Return values

 Global vs Local variables

 Use of None for procedures (functions without return)

5. File Handling
 Reading from a text file
with open("file.txt", "r") as f:
lines = f.readlines()

 Writing to a text file

with open("file.txt", "w") as f:


f.write("Hello\n")

 Appending to a file: mode = 'a'

6. Basic Algorithms
 Linear Search
 Binary Search (on sorted lists)
 Bubble Sort
 Count occurrences
 Finding min/max
 Average calculation
7. 2D Lists
 Creating and accessing 2D lists:

matrix = [[1, 2], [3, 4]]


value = matrix[1][0] # 3

 Looping through rows and columns

8. Trace Tables and Dry Run


 Practice manually tracing the output of code
 Understand variable state changes
9. Problem-Solving Techniques
 Breaking tasks into small subroutines
 Writing pseudocode and converting to Python
 Testing with sample data
10. Sample Topics from Past Papers
 Student records (files with names and scores)
 Simple quiz system
 Basic user authentication system
 Leaderboard or scoreboard handling
 Product or stock inventory management
11. Good Coding Practices
 Use clear variable names
 Comment your code
 Keep functions short and specific
 Indentation and structure are important
12. Optional (but helpful)
 Using try...except for error handling
 Understanding and writing simple classes (if A2 required)

Start practicing past papers from 2021 onward. Make sure you can:
 Understand the problem statement
 Plan using pseudocode or flowcharts
 Translate into Python
 Test and debug your code

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