Status Updates From Murach's Python Programming...

file I/O:
Difference between txt & csv:
I. separators
1. txt has only /n (new line caracters) as separators.
2. csv can be used to store several items of data on a single line:
1) row (record) ends with /n.
2) row consists of columns (fields) which separated by commas.

II. import csv module to use the functions and objects.

- Two-dimensional list: to use a list of lists to store data in a grid of rows and columns.
- Shallow copy of a list: both variables refer to the same list. Any changes to one variable are reflected in the other variable.
- Deep copy of a list: both variables refer to their own copy of the list.

1. Tuples are immutable, unlike lists.
2. When you know the items won't be changed, to be more efficient, you should use a tuple instead of list.

Three types of errors that can occur:
- Syntax errors: aka compile-time errors, violate the rules for how Python statements must be written.
- Runtime errors: can't be detected until running the program. They throw exceptions that stop the execution of the program.
- Logic errors: produce the wrong results.

- The goal of testing: try every possible combination to make the program fail.
- The goal of debugging: to fix all errors.

#! shebang: to determine what interpreter to use to run the program.
#!/usr/bin/env python3

How Python compiles and runs source code:
code editor -> source code (.py files) -> Python interpreter -> bytecode (the whole piece of code) -> Python virtual machine -> operating system

Pros & Cons of Python:
Cons -
Not backward nor forward compatible between Python 2 & 3.

Pros -
1) Simple syntax and easy to read than most other languages.
2) Has most of the features of traditional languages (C++, Java, C#)
3) Supports the dev of a wide range of programs, inclu. games, web applications, and system administration.
4) Used by many coms, inclu. Google, IBM, Disney and EA Games.