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--- 184_notes:python_syntax [2018/06/04 14:58] – dmcpadden
+++ 184_notes:python_syntax [2020/08/24 19:31] (current) – dmcpadden
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+/*[[184_notes:using_python|Previous Page: Making Models with VPython]]*/
 ===== Common Commands and Tips for Python =====
 In this class, we are often going to use VPython to create computational models, which will serve as a powerful tool to help us create visualizations and apply the ideas in this course to more real-world contexts. Below are some of the common Python commands that we will use in this course and some coding tips compiled by previous EMP-Cubed students. (Note: we do not expect you to have any coding experience prior to this course, and we will not expect you to write a program from scratch. We will primarily be asking you to interpret chunks of code with your group members and adjust/modify pieces of code that you will be given.)
@@ Line 37: / Line 39: @@
 position2=vec(2,1,0)
 separation=position2-position1  #This will give separation=vec(-1,-3,-5)
-testing=separation-4 #This will give and error
+testing=separation-4 #This will give an error
 </code>
   * **Vector magnitude** - the "mag()" command will calculate the [[184_notes:math_review#Vector_Notation|magnitude of any vector]].
@@ Line 53: / Line 55: @@
 A=vec(1,2,3)
 B=vec(4,5,6)
-AB=dot(A,B)
+AB=dot(A,B)  #This will calculate (1*4)+(2*5)+(3*6)
+print(AB)  #This will print out 32
 </code>
   * **Cross Product** - the cross product is another way to [[184_notes:math_review#Vector Multiplication|multiply two vectors]]. Python has this command already programmed in:
@@ Line 59: / Line 62: @@
 C=vec(5,6,7)
 D=vec(3,2,1)
-CD=cross(C,D)
+CD=cross(C,D)  #This will calculate (6*1-2*7)i-hat - (5*1-7*2)j-hat + (5*2-6*3)k-hat
+print(CD)  #This will print out the vector (-8, 9, -8)
 </code>