---
title: Python Cheatbook Introduction
tags: Python Cheatbook
---

# Introduction

This is a book dedicated to some handy python snippets. I record these snippets as I work with some Python projects during my lifetime.

Please check the bar on the left for table of contents.

:::info
All snippets were recorded with Python version 3.8.
:::

:::warning
Note that this book is still under development
:::

# Basics

## Variable assignment

Initalize with values

a = 1 # int
b = 'something' # str
c = {1:2, 3:4} # dict
d = [1,2] # list
e = (1,2) # tuple

==Initalize data structures with no items==

a = {} # dict
b = [] # list
c = () # tuple

Print stuff

p = 'charmander'
print(p)
print('this is {}'.format(p)) # .format api can handle different types

## Dictionary Manipulation

a[0] = 'value';
a['key'] = 'value';
len(a); # get length
a.__contains__('key'); # returns a boolean

## ==Slicing Arrays==

a = [1,2,3,4]
# array[start:stop], start is inclusive, stop is exclusive
b = a[2:] # [3,4]
c = a[:2] # [1,2]
d = a[1:2] # [2]

## For Loops

Normal

i = [1,2,3]
for x in i:
    print(x)

<!-- todo: add while loops -->

==Using `enumerate`==

i = ['A','B','C']
for x, y in enumerate(i):
    print('{}: {}'.format(x, y))

my_dict = {'friend_1':88445523, 'friend_2':44552322}
for x, (k, v) in enumerate(my_dict.items()):
    print('{}: {} - {}'.format(x, k, v))

## ==Classes, Constructors, Private/Public access.==

class Car:
    wheels = 4 # same as self.wheel below
    _speed = 150 # private variable because of _
    brake = False
    
    # method constructor
    def __init__(self, wheels):
        self.wheels = wheels
    
    # private method
    def _increase_speed(self):
        self._speed += 1

    # public method
    # val:bool takes a boolean value, by default it will be False so the parameter is optional
    def modify_brake_application(self, val:bool=False):
        self.brake = val


three_wheel_car = Car(3)
three_wheel_car.modify_brake_application()

## ==Naming Conventions==

Here is a really awesome page to know naming conventions for various languages: https://namingconvention.org/python/

## Exit

You can use either one of them

- `quit()`
- `exit()`
- `sys.exit()`

Read more: https://pythonguides.com/python-exit-command/