Beginner Glossary
Return here whenever a lesson uses an unfamiliar word. You do not need to memorize the complete table.
| Term | Simple meaning | Small example |
|---|---|---|
| Argument | A value given to a function when it is called | print("Hello") gives "Hello" as an argument |
| Assignment | Connecting a name to a value with = |
score = 90 |
| Boolean | One of the two values True or False |
age >= 18 produces a boolean |
| Branch | One possible path selected by a condition | an if or else block |
| Bug | A mistake that makes code fail or behave incorrectly | using = instead of == |
| Call | Asking a function to run | print(name) |
| Comment | A note for people that Python ignores | # price before tax |
| Condition | A question whose answer is treated as true or false | score >= 50 |
| Conversion | Producing a value of another suitable type | int("25") produces 25 |
| Current working directory | The folder the terminal and program currently use as their starting location | shown by pwd or Get-Location |
| Data type | The kind of value and the operations it supports | int, float, str, bool |
| Dictionary | A collection that maps unique keys to values | {"name": "Maya"} |
| Exception | A runtime problem that interrupts the normal path | ValueError from int("ten") |
| Expression | Code that produces a value | 2 + 3 produces 5 |
| File | Information saved on storage for later use | notes.txt |
| Float | A number type used for values with decimal parts | 19.5 |
| Function | A named, reusable piece of code | def greet(...): |
| Hash table | The internal structure commonly used for fast set and dictionary lookup | key → hash → storage position |
| Identifier | A valid Python name | student_name |
| Immutable | Unable to change in place | strings, numbers, and tuples |
| Import | Making code from another module available | import math |
| Index | The numbered position of an item, normally starting at zero | word[0] |
| Integer | A whole-number type | -2, 0, 25 |
| Interpreter | The program that reads and executes Python code | started by python, py, or python3 |
| Iterable | A value Python can visit one item at a time | a string, list, or range() |
| Key | The unique lookup part of a dictionary entry | "name" in {"name": "Maya"} |
| Keyword | A protected word with special Python meaning | if, for, def, True |
| List | An ordered, changeable collection | [10, 20, 30] |
| Loop | A structure that repeats instructions | for or while |
| Method | A function reached through a value with dot notation | name.strip() |
| Module | A Python file containing reusable code | tax.py |
| Mutable | Able to change in place | lists, sets, and dictionaries |
None |
The special value meaning no value is available | middle_name = None |
| Object | A Python value together with its type and behavior | the string object "hello" |
| Operand | A value used by an operator | 10 and 5 in 10 + 5 |
| Operator | A symbol or word that requests an operation | +, ==, and, in |
| Package | A folder that organises related modules | an application containing storage.py and main.py |
| Parameter | A named input in a function definition | name in def greet(name): |
| Path | Text or a Path object describing a file or folder location |
data/notes.txt |
| Return value | A result sent from a function back to its caller | return total |
| Scope | The part of a program where a name is available | a function’s local scope |
| Set | A collection of unique values | {"python", "sql"} |
| Slice | A selected part copied from a sequence | word[1:4] |
| Statement | An instruction Python can execute | score = 90 |
| String | An immutable sequence of Unicode text characters | "Python" |
| Syntax | The grammar rules for valid code | a colon is required after if condition |
| Terminal | A program where operating-system commands are typed | run python hello.py here |
| Tuple | An ordered collection whose slots cannot be changed | (10, 20) |
| Variable | A readable name referring to a value | age = 10 |
| Virtual environment | A private Python environment for one project | .venv |