beginner pathway
Use Python to read local text, transform it, and print useful results.
A Python script is a plain text file of instructions. Start with visible output and small inputs. A useful beginner script should be easy to read and easy to rerun.
Write a script that stores your learning goal in a variable and prints it.
What function displays text in the terminal?
print sends a visible result to standard output.
A word counter is small but real: it accepts a path, reads text, splits on whitespace, counts the words, and reports a clear error when the file is missing.
Explain how you would turn the example into a command that accepts a file path.
Which method reads text from a pathlib Path?
Path.read_text reads a text file using the chosen encoding.
Testing turns a script into a dependable tool. Put the count logic in a function, test that function with known text, then keep the command-line wrapper thin.
Write one test case for empty text and one for three words.
Why test a function instead of only looking at printed output?
A function test is repeatable and can fail clearly when behavior changes.
Build and test a tiny word-count script for local text files.