defining the essential python data types putting information into variables understanding the numeric types understanding boolean values understanding strings working with dates and times managing information controlling how python views data making comparisons understanding how computers make comparisons working with operators defining the operators understanding operator precedence creating and using functions viewing functions as code packages understanding code reusability defining function accessing functions sending information to functions returning information from functions comparing function output getting user input making decisions making simple decisions using the if statement understanding the if statement using the if statement in an application choosing alternatives using the if else statement understanding the if else statement using the if else statement in an application using the if elif statement in an application using nested decision statements using multiple if or if else statements combining other types of decisions performing repetitive tasks processing data using the for statement understanding the for statement creating basic for loop controlling execution with the break statement controlling execution with the continue statement controlling execution with the pass clause controlling execution with the else statement ix