Australian Informatics Olympiad · Python Foundation
AIO Python Foundation — From First Line to Confident Solver
Twenty lessons that take you from your very first print() to writing complete contest solutions in Python — output & variables, input parsing, conditionals, for and while loops, lists, strings, dictionaries and functions. Every idea is paired with a worked example and hands-on practice built on real Australian Informatics Olympiad problems.
AIO pathway: Python Foundation → Algorithms → Olympiad practice.
Python Foundations
- Lesson 1: Output & Variables — print · f-strings · storing values · +=
- Lesson 2: Numbers & Types — int/float/str/bool · // and % · conversion
- Lesson 3: Input — input() · split/map · read N numbers
- Lesson 4: Conditionals — comparisons · if/elif/else · and/or/not
- Lesson 5: For Loops — range · sum · count · running max/min · index
- Lesson 6: For Loops — In Action — Running Sum · Richest · Javelin (AIO 2024)
- Lesson 7: While Loops — while · break · continue · sentinel loops
- Lesson 8: While Loops — In Action — digit puzzles · Collatz · read-until-zero
- Lesson 9: Lists I — create · index · len · change · loop a list
- Lesson 10: Lists I — In Action — reverse · Missing Number · adjacent pairs
- Lesson 11: Lists II & 2D — append · slicing · comprehensions · grids
- Lesson 12: Lists II — In Action — Richest Customer (2D) · filters · argmax
- Lesson 13: Strings — index · slice · loop chars · methods
- Lesson 14: Strings — In Action — reverse · count vowels · palindrome · runs
- Lesson 15: Dictionaries & Sets — key/value · frequency counting · membership
- Lesson 16: Dicts & Sets — In Action — mode · Two Sum · Ransom Note
- Lesson 17: Functions — def · return · parameters · scope · recursion
- Lesson 18: Functions — In Action — Climbing Stairs · primes · digital root
- Lesson 19: Comprehensive Review — 36 mixed questions: predict · choose · debug
- Lesson 20: Comprehensive Programming — full programs up to a complete Problem 1
Continue with AIO Algorithms
Once the Python basics click, the 30-lesson Algorithms course builds the problem-solving techniques the AIO actually tests — greedy, prefix sums, two pointers and more.
Competition guide:
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Pick a lesson from the Lessons list.
Lessons open in this frame with the platform navigation around them.