Stored Programs

In the previous lecture, we examined how digital devices

can carry out routine activities.
Basic idea: We can store the steps in a routine activity in
memory in ways that a computer can execute.

COMPSCI 111 / 111G

This notion of a stored program is one of the basic insights

that underlies computing and information technology.

Mastering Cyberspace:
An Introduction to Practical Computing

This concept is so fundamental that many courses assume

it is obvious, but it deserves close attention.
Variables, Input/Output, and
Conditions in Programming
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Storing and Interpreting Programs

Another Stored Program

We need two things to allow routine activity on computers:

To find the hidden treasure of Greenbeard the Data Pirate:

Encode and store the program in memory:

Giving the program a name or index so we can access it;
Specifying the programs initial, intermediate, final steps.
Access and run the program on demand:
Retrieving the program by its name or index;
Passing any arguments to the program;
Executing each of the programs steps in turn; and
Halting the program and returning any results.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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Go to the dead tree in the center of the island.

Turn north and walk 200 paces.
Turn east and walk 100 paces.
Turn north and walk 50 paces.
Dig five feet down to the treasure.

This program requires you to count the number of steps

you take, resetting the count twice in the process.
To run the program, we need some way to keep track of
the count and update it when needed.

We explored these ideas in the context of Python, a recent

computer programming language.
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Using Variables in Python

Using Variables in Programs

To assign a value to a variable, type:

A stored program can keep track of things that change

during operation using variables, which:

The variable name

An equals (=) sign

Serve as place holders to store some form of information;

The desired value (or an expression that returns it)

Take some initial value at the programs outset;

count = 15
DollarsPerLitre1 = 2.16
Number_of_Geese = 7 * 2 + 3

Can change repeatedly during the programs execution;

May be returned by the program when it halts.

The use of variables adds substantially to the flexibility

and power of stored programs.

Variable names in Python:

May contain numbers or underscores
May not start with a number or contain blank spaces

Program variables are similar to those in mathematics,

but they are assigned values that can change in a run.

May not be reserved Python keywords (like in)

Examples: count, DollarsPerLitre1, Number_of_Geese

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More on Variables in Python

More on Variables in Python

Here are some examples of setting variables in IDLE, the

Python development environment.
>>>
>>>
>>>
10
>>>
20
>>>
>>>
200
>>>

Here are more examples that illustrate the use of variables

as counters that change over time.
>>>
>>>
1
>>>
>>>
2
>>>
>>>
3
>>>

height = 10
width = 20
height
width
area = height * width
area

Note that Python does not return a variables value when

you set it, but it does when you type its name.
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age = 1
age
age = age + 1
age
age = age + 1
age

In this case, we start by setting the variable age to 1 and

incrementing it by 1 repeatedly.
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Exercise on Variables

Exercise on Variables

What results will these four Python statements produce?

What results will these four Python statements produce?

>>> a = 2
>>> b = 7
>>> a

>>> a
>>> b
>>> a
2
>>> c
>>> c
15
>>> c
>>> c
15.0
>>> d
>>> c
24.0

>>> c = a * b + 1
>>> c
>>> c = float(c)
>>> c
>>> d = a + b
>>> c + d

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Input and Output for Programs

= 2
= 7

= a * b + 1

= float(c)
= a + b
+ d

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10

Reading Input in Python

The Python function input accepts information typed by the
user and returns a string with its contents.

In many settings, we want our stored programs to interact

with users; for this they need some means for:

The operators one argument is printed as a prompt. E.g.,

Requesting and accepting external input

Generating and displaying external output

name = input("Enter your name: ")

Of course, we can use variables to store results of input

or to collect results for output.

would print "Enter your name: ", wait for a user to type
something and hit enter, then place the result in name.

We will examine how Python requests and accepts input,

as well as how it generates and displays output.

The input function returns a string, so if you want to obtain

a number, you must alter the data type, as in
children = int(input("How many children: "))
weight = float(input("Enter your weight: "))

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12

Input Exercise

Input Exercise

What values does x take on given these input statements?

What values does x take on given these input statements?

>>> x = input("Enter some words: ")

Enter some words: Some words
>>> x = input("Enter an integer: ")
Enter an integer: 15
>>> x = int(input("Enter an integer: "))
Enter an integer: 15
>>> x = input("Enter a floating number: ")
Enter a floating number: 15.0
>>> x = float(input("Enter a floater: "))
Enter a floater: 15.0
>>> a = int(input("First number? "))
First number? 3
>>> b = float(input("Second number? "))
Second number? 5
>>> x = a * b
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>>> x = input("Enter some words: ")

Enter some words: Some words

x is

>>> x = input("Enter an integer: ")

Enter an integer: 15

x is

>>> x = int(input("Enter an integer: "))

Enter an integer: 15

x is

>>> x = input("Enter a floating number: ")

Enter a floating number: 15.0

x is

>>> x = float(input("Enter a floater: "))

Enter a floater: 15.0

x is

>>> a = int(input("First number? "))

First number? 3
>>> b = float(input("Second number? "))
Second number? 5
>>> x = a * b

x is

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Printing Output in Python

x is 15
x is '15.0'
x is 15.0

x is 15.0

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14

What outputs do these Python print statements produce?

print("This", "is")
print("a program that has")
print(3, "lines.")
print(1,2,3,4)
print("1,2,3,4")
print("1234", 1,2)
print("1",2,3,"4")

For this purpose, you can use the print function:

>>> print("How are you?")
How are you?
>>> print(34.9)
34.9
>>> print(2)
2
>>> year = 2014
>>> print("The year is", year, ".")
The year is 2014 .

Given multiple arguments, it inserts a space between items.

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x is '15'

Printing Exercise

Although IDLE returns a value for each statement the user

inputs, sometimes you want to generate explicit output.

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x is 'Some words'

15

print(1 + 2 + 3)
print("1" + "2" + "3")
print([1, 2] * 2)
print(1 + 3 // 2)
x = 20
print(x % 7)
print(x // 7)
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Printing Exercise

Commenting Programs

What outputs do these Python print statements produce?

print("This", "is")
print("a program that has")
print(3, "lines.")
print(1,2,3,4)
print("1,2,3,4")
print("1234", 1,2)
print("1",2,3,"4")

This is
a program that has
3 lines.
1 2 3 4
1,2,3,4
1234 1 2
1 2 3 4

print(1 + 2 + 3)
print("1" + "2" + "3")
print([1, 2] * 2)
print(1 + 3 // 2)
x = 20
print(x % 7)
print(x // 7)

6
123
[1, 2, 1, 2]
2

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Including comments in a program can make it easier for

humans to understand it.
In Python, a line that includes a hash sign (#) causes the
interpreter to ignore everything until the lines end.
# Author: Andrew Luxton-Reilly
# Date: 7/05/06
# Purpose: Show the use of comments
print("Hello")
# Hello, Hello
print("Is there anybody in there")
print("Just nod if you can hear me")
print("Is there anyone at home")

6
2

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As in this example, you should begin each file with comments

about its author, date, and purpose.
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Combining Input and Output

Here is Python code that asks the user to enter a number

in centimetres.
# Author: Andrew Luxton-Reilly
# Date: 7/05/06

# Author: Andrew Luxton-Reilly

# Date: 7/05/06

# Ask the user to enter the number of centimetres

cm = int(input("Please enter the number of centimetres: "))

# Ratio of NZD to USD

currencyRatio = 0.6409 # 1 NZD = 0.6409 USD

# Calculate the number of metres and centimetres

m = cm // 100
cm = cm % 100

# Ask the user to enter the NZD value

nzd = float(input("Please enter the dollar value (NZD): "))
# Calculate the amount of USD
usd = nzd * currencyRatio

# Print the output to the user

print(m, "metres and", cm, "centimeters")

# Print the output to the user

print(nzd, "NZ dollars is worth", usd, "US dollars")

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Another Conversion Program

Here is a program that converts NZD to USD, assuming

that 1.0 NZD = 0.6409 USD.

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The stored program then prints the number of metres and

centimeters that are equivalent to the input.
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20

Combined Exercise

Exercise

Write a program that asks the user to enter a number of

feet and then a number of inches.

Write a program that asks the user to enter a number of

feet and then a number of inches.

The program should convert this length to the number of

meters (with decimals) and print the specific relation.

The program should convert this length to the number of

meters (with decimals) and print the specific relation.

Assume: 1.0 inch = 2.54 centimetres, 1 foot = 12 inches

Assume: 1.0 inch = 2.54 centimetres, 1 foot = 12 inches

# Author: Anonymous
# Date: 6/10/2013
# This function requests feet and inches from the user, computes
# the number of centimetres for each, then divides by 100.0 and
# prints the corresponding number of metres.
feet = int(input("How many feet? "))
inches = int(input("How many inches? "))
cm = 12 * 2.54 * feet + 2.54 * inches
print(feet,"feet and",inches,"inches is",(cm / 100.0),"meters.")

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22

Conditionals in Stored Programs

More on Jamaican Curry Chicken

Note that our recipe incorporates conditional statements:

Many of our everyday routine activities involve conditional

behavior of this sort.

1. Wash chicken with lemon and cut into bite-sized pieces.

2. Season with all dry ingredients.
3. Chop all herbs and add to chicken (use hands to rub in
seasonings, and let sit in refrigerator for 1/2 hr.).
4. Place chicken, water, and oil in a pot, stir, cook on high until it
comes to a boil, stir, lower heat until chicken is almost cooked.
5. Add potatoes and butter.
6. Cook until water is reduced and potatoes are tender.
7. Serve over steamed white rice.

We can produce conditional activity in stored programs by

stating that some steps should happen only if a test is met.
Such constructs ease construction of computer programs
because it makes them more flexible and adaptive.
Nearly all nontrivial stored programs include some form of
conditional behavior.

These tests are essential to produce an edible dish that is

neither undercooked or overcooked.
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24

Conditional Behavior in Python

Python Comparison Operators

One way to specify conditional behavior in Python involves

the if construction, which takes the form:

Python includes a number of operators that compare two

items of the same type.
These evaluate to a Boolean value, making them eligible
for use in conditions.

if <condition>:
statements to execute if condition is True
else:
statements to execute if condition is False

Meaning

This includes colons after both the condition and the else.

Less than

Operator

Examples

<

0 < x, a < b

<=

y <= 10, a <= b

>

x > 0, a > b
y >= 10, a >= b

The condition should be some Boolean expression that

evaluates to either True or False.

Less than or equal to

Multiple statements may appear in a block associated with

a condition, provided they are indented the same amount.

Greater than or equal to

>=

Equal to

==

z = "here", a == b

Not equal to

!=

z != [1, 2], a != b

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Greater than

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A Conditional Python Program

Write a program that asks the user to enter his or her age,
and then prints out a ticket based on that age:
Child tickets (below the age of 12) cost $5.00
Adult tickets (age 12 or above) cost $9.99

# Author: Andrew Luxton-Reilly

# Date: 7/05/06

Tickets for children should look like the display on the left,
while those for adults should look like that on the right.

# Ask the user to enter a number

number = int(input("Please enter a number: "))

************
Child Ticket
Price: $5.00
************

# Determine if the number is odd or even

if (number % 2 == 0):
print("You entered the number", number)
print("That number is even")
else:
print("You entered the number", number)
print("That number is odd")
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26

Conditional Exercise

Here is a Python program that asks the user to enter some

integer. It determines whether the number is odd or even,
then prints an appropriate message.

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*************
Adult Ticket
Price: $9.99
*************

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28

Conditional Exercise

Conditional Exercise

Write a program that asks the user to enter his or her age,
and then prints out a ticket based on that age:

Write a program that asks the user to enter his or her age,
and then prints out a ticket based on that age:

Child tickets (below the age of 12) cost $5.00

Child tickets (below the age of 12) cost $5.00

Adult tickets (age 12 or above) cost $9.99

Adult tickets (age 12 or above) cost $9.99

Tickets for children should look like the display on the left,
while those for adults should look like that on the right.
************
Child Ticket
Price: $5.00
************

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Tickets for children should look like the display on the left,
while those for adults should look like that on the right.
age = int(input("What is your age? "))
print("************")
************
*************
if age < 12:
Child Ticket
Adult Ticket
print("Child
Ticket")
print("Price:
$5.00")
Price: $5.00
Price: $9.99
else:
************
*************
print("Adult Ticket")
print("Price: $9.99")
print("************")

*************
Adult Ticket
Price: $9.99
*************

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Python Logical Operators

Operator

Example

Logical AND

and

number >= 1 and number < 10

or

z == "here" or z == "there"

not

not(number < 1 or number >= 10)

Logical OR
Logical NOT

30

Yet Another Exercise

Python also includes some operators that combine Boolean

expressions into more complex constructions.
Meaning

COMPSCI 111/111G - Python 02

Write a program that asks the user to enter a number

between one and ten (inclusive).
The program should print "Correct" if the number is in the
range and "Incorrect" if the number is outside the range.

These let Python programs support an even broader class

of conditional statements.
Note that you can embed one logical expression in another,
just as with numeric expressions.
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Yet Another Exercise

Review of Key Ideas

Write a program that asks the user to enter a number

between one and ten (inclusive).

We examined three constructs for use in stored programs:

Variables that store values in a persistent manner
But that can change during the course of a run

The program should print "Correct" if the number is in the

range and "Incorrect" if the number is outside the range.

Commands that accept external input and print output

To support interaction with human users
Conditional statements that produce alternative behaviors
Depending on the results of Boolean test expressions

# Author: Andrew Luxton-Reilly

# Date: 7/05/06
# Ask the user to enter a number
number = int(input("Please enter a number (1-10): "))

Together, these abilities extend considerably the ability of

stored programs to carry out routine tasks.

# Determine if the number is within the range

if (number >= 1 and number <= 10):
print("Correct")
else:
print("Incorrect")
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We discussed these ideas in the context of Python, but

they appear in most programming languages.
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34