Question

hi.. im totally new to programming. ive done my bachelors in mechanical engg and am not bad at logic. Im trying the 6.00 course and am trying to do the first exercise. how do you all approach a problem where you dont know what method/function to use? what are your logical steps to find out?

Answer 1

read the documentation
read the tutorial in the Python documentation which should be installed on your computer there is also section of the Python documentation that lists all the built-in functions

I find the documentation installed on my computer easier to use than the online version.
http://docs.python.org/
http://docs.python.org/tutorial/index.html
http://docs.python.org/library/functions.html

Answer 2

in making programs, it depends on the programmer on how to implement or make the code. later on, you'll improve and know what methods or techniques to use.

Answer 3

As @bwCA said, the official python docs are an incredible resource.

I've noticed that often, in this course, most of the important methods are introduced in the lectures before your problem sets are due. Remember that some of the concepts necessary to complete the assignment are introduced in the videos after you get the assignment but before it is due.

Answer 4

Make sure you break down the problem into logical subtasks, then determine what commands you need to execute your subtask.