Home / Problem Sets / Problem Set 0

Problem Set 0: Introduction & Installation

The questions below are due on Friday April 07, 2023; 09:00:00 PM.
 
You are not logged in.

If you are a current student, please Log In for full access to the web site.
Note that this link will take you to an external site (https://shimmer.mit.edu) to authenticate, and then you will be redirected back to this page.

  • If you finished 6.100A this semester, you do not need to complete this pset.

Download Files

1) Background Survey

What is your Grade Level?
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Graduate Student (Non MBA)
MBA Student

What is your (first) major? If freshman, choose "Freshman".

What is your second major? If not double majoring or undecided, do not answer this question.

Approximate Lines of Code written before enrolling in 6.100B

Prior Programming Experience?
None
HTML
AP Computer Science
Online coding course (code academy, etc.)
Programming Experience in language other than Python
Programming Experience in Python
Took 6.0001/6.100A before
Took a Python course at MIT during IAP before (e.g. 6.145)
Watched or Participated in Programming course in OCW or edX
College course using programming language other than Python
College course using Python

Why did you enroll in 6.100B?
To Learn how to Program
To Fulfill a Course Requirement
To Get a Good Grade
other

Select all of the resources that you are aware of or have used to help learn how to program.
Google
Online coding courses
Stack Overflow
Friends that know how to program

2) Class Info Assessment

(did you read the course info page?)

Which of the following count towards your grade?
problem sets
mandatory exercises
optional exercises on MITx
exams
lecture attendance and participation
recitation attendance and participation

When are problem sets due?
every Monday
every Wednesday
check the calendar

When are mandatory finger exercises due?
generally available once a week and due the following week
generally available with a lecture and due by the beginning of next lecture
no deadline per exercise, but must do them all by the end of the course

Microquizzes are in the last 20-45 minutes of specific lectures outlined in the calendar. What happens if you cannot make it to a microquiz?
Email S^3 and post to the forum to schedule a conflict microquiz
Conflict microquizzes are not given but the lowest quiz grade is dropped

You are working with a friend on the problem set. Your friend tells you to use a specific kind of loop to solve a part. Is this a collaboration violation?
Yes for you and the friend
Yes only for the friend
Yes only for you
no

You are stuck debugging the problem set. Your friend already finished but they can't stay to help you anymore, so they email you the code. You look over the part you are stuck but write up your own code. Is this a collaboration violation?
Yes for you and the friend
Yes only for the friend
Yes only for you
no

3) Introduction to Python & Spyder

This problem set will introduce you to the programming environment Spyder from the Anaconda Distribution of Python, and to programming in Python, as well as to our general problem set structure. In this problem set, you will confirm your installation of Python, write a simple Python program, and hand it in. Be sure to read this problem set thoroughly, especially the Collaboration and Hand-in Procedure sections.

3.1) Collaboration

You may work with other students. However, each student should write up and hand in his or her assignment separately. Be sure to indicate with whom you have worked in the comments of your submission.

3.2) Installing Python & Spyder

Follow the steps in the Getting Started handout for installing the Anaconda distribution of Python and Spyder onto the machine you plan to be using this term. The numpy and matplotlib packages, which will be used primarily in 6.100B, should come with the installation. Familiarize yourself with Python and Spyder using the exercises given in the handout.

This class uses Python version 3.6 or higher.

When you first start using your system, make sure that the version number displayed is 3.6 or higher. Python 3 is not backwards compatible with versions starting with 2.x.

When you finish installing your programming environment, you're all set. There is nothing to hand in for this problem set!