Python Crash Course — Eric Matthes
Hands-on, project-based introduction to Python programming. This reference layer is built from the Beginner’s Python Cheat Sheet bundled with Python Crash Course, 3rd Edition by Eric Matthes (ehmatthes.github.io/pcc_3e).
The book covers Part I: Python fundamentals (variables, lists, dicts, control flow, functions, classes, files, exceptions) and Part II: three projects (game, data visualization, web app). This wiki layer currently covers the cheat sheet — all core syntax in one place.
Key Concepts
PythonVariablesStringsInput, PythonLists, PythonDictionaries, PythonControlFlow, PythonFunctions, PythonOOP, PythonFileIOExceptions
Sheets / Topics Ingested
| Sheet | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Overview pp. 1–2 | Variables, Lists, Dicts, If, While, Functions, Classes, Files, Exceptions | ✅ ingested |
| Lists pp. 3–4 | Lists deep dive: range, stats, slicing, comprehensions, tuples, PEP 8 | ✅ ingested |
| Dictionaries pp. 5–6 | Dict deep dive: nesting, comprehensions, zip() | ✅ ingested |
| If Statements + While Loops pp. 7–8 | Conditionals, booleans, loops, break/continue/flags | ✅ ingested |
| Functions pp. 9–10 | Functions deep dive + modules | ✅ ingested |
Connections to Other Programming Content
- Thinking in C++: PythonOOP-CppOOP — Python classes vs. C++ classes; same OOP principles, different syntax and memory model
- OOP Foundations: OOPFoundations — Alan Kay’s 5 characteristics applied in Python
- C++ I/O: CppIOStreams — contrast Python’s
pathlib/input()vs. C++cin/fstream