The Python Book: The ultimate guide to coding with Python

180 Pages·2016·28.19 MB·English

by  N/A

NEW OVER 2 HOURS
OF VIDEO TUTORIALS
The
Python
The ultimate guide to coding with Python
Over 20
incredible
projects
Learn to use Python t1SPHSBNHBNFTt(FUDSFBUJWFXJUI1J
Welcome to
The
Python
Python is an incredibly versatile, expansive language which, due to its similarity to
everyday language, is surprisingly easy to learn even for inexperienced programmers. It
has seen a huge increase in popularity since the release and rise of the Raspberry Pi, for
which Python is the officially recognised programming language. In this new edition
of The Python Book, you’ll find plenty of creative projects to help you get to grips with
the combination of your Raspberry Pi and Python’s powerful functionality, plus lots of
tutorials that focus on Python’s effectiveness away from the Raspberry Pi. You’ll learn
all about how to code with Python from a standing start, with our comprehensive
masterclass, then go on to complete tutorials that will consolidate your skills and help
you to become fluent in the language. You’ll learn how to make Python work for you
with tutorials on coding with Django, Flask, Pygame and even more useful third-party
frameworks. Get ready to become a true Python expert with the wealth of information
contained within these pages.
The
Python
Imagine Publishing Ltd
Richmond House
33 Richmond Hill
Bournemouth
Dorset BH2 6EZ
[phone]
Website: www.imagine-publishing.co.uk
Twitter: @Books_Imagine
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineBookazines
Publishing Director
Aaron Asadi
Head of Design
Ross Andrews
Production Editor
Alex Hoskins
Senior Art Editor
Greg Whitaker
Assistant Designer
Steve Dacombe
Printed by
William Gibbons, 26 Planetary Road, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3XT
Distributed in the UK, Eire & the Rest of the World by
Marketforce, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU
Tel [phone] www.marketforce.co.uk
Distributed in Australia by
Network Services (a division of Bauer Media Group), Level 21 Civic Tower, 66-68 Goulburn Street,
Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia Tel [phone]
Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the
post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this bookazine may
be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are
recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the bookazine has
endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change.
This bookazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.
The Python Book Second Edition © 2016 Imagine Publishing Ltd
ISBN 9781785462382
Part of the
bookazine series
The
Python
Contents
8 Get started Work with Python Create with Python
with Python
Master the basics the right way 74 Python for professionals 108 Build tic-tac-toe with Kivy
Use your coding skills at work Program noughts and crosses
16 5 0 essential 82 Make extensions for XBMC 112 Create two-step authentication
commands Enhance XBMC with this tutorial Use Twilio for safe authentication
The commands you need to know
88 Scientifi c computing 116 Program a Space Invaders clone
Get to grips with NumPy Make the basic Pivaders game
92 Instant messaging 120 Add animation and sound
Get chatting using Python Enhance your Pivaders game
98 Replace your shell 124 Make a visual novel
Use Python for your primary shell Program a book-style game
102 Python for system admins 128 P ygame Zero
Python essentials How Python helps system administration Turn your ideas into games
2 6 Code rock, paper, scissors
Put basic coding into action
82 116
32 Program a hangman game
Use Python to make the classic game
38 Play poker dice
Test your luck and your coding
44 Create a graphical interface
Add interface to your projects
50 Bring graphics to games
Add images to simple games
124
92
56 Build an app for Android
Make your own app with Kivy
62 Making web apps
Use Python to create online apps
66 50 Python tips
Essential knowledge for Python users
6 The Python Book
136 170
66
50
Python
Web development Use Python with Pi
tips
136 D evelop with Python 160 Programming in Python on
Why Python is perfect for the web
Raspberry Pi
142 Create dynamic templates Learn how to optimise for Pi
Use Jinja, Flask and more
164 T urn Raspberry Pi into a
“Get to grips
146 Build your own blog stop-motion studio
Begin developing your blog Learn how to optimise for Pi
with Python, and
150 Deliver content to your blog 168 Send SMS with Pi
Add content to your site master highly Send text messages for free
154 Enhance your blog 170 Build an LED Matrix
Complete your blog with add-ons versatile code” Use Pi to control light sequences
The Python Book 7
Get started with Python
Always wanted to have a go at
programming? No more excuses,
because Python is the perfect way to get started!
ython is a great programming language for libraries to create a windowed application, or you could
both beginners and experts. It is designed with try something a little more ambitious like an app such
Pcode readability in mind, making it an excellent as creating one using Python’s Bluetooth and Input
choice for beginners who are still getting used to libraries to capture the input from a USB keyboard and
various programming concepts. relay the input events to an Android phone.
The language is popular and has plenty of libraries For this guide we’re going to be using Python 2.x since
available, allowing programmers to get a lot done with that is the version that is most likely to be installed on your
relatively little code. Linux distribution.
You can make all kinds of applications in Python: In the following tutorials, you’ll learn how to create
you could use the Pygame framework to write popular games using Python programming. We’ll also
simple 2D games, you could use the GTK show you how to add sound and AI to these games.
8 The Python Book
Get started with Python
The Python Book 9
Get started with Python
Hello World Variables and data types
Let’s get stuck in, and what better way than with the A variable is a name in source code that is associated with an
programmer’s best friend, the ‘Hello World’ application! Start area in memory that you can use to store data, which is then
by opening a terminal. Its current working directory will be your called upon throughout the code. The data can be one of many
home directory. It’s probably a good idea to make a directory for types, including:
the fi les we’ll be creating in this tutorial, rather than having them
loose in your home directory. You can create a directory called
Python using the command mkdir Python. You’ll then want to Integer Stores whole numbers
change into that directory using the command cd Python.
The next step is to create an empty fi le using the command Float Stores decimal numbers
‘touch’ followed by the fi lename. Our expert used the command Boolean Can have a value of True or False
touch hello_world.py. The fi nal and most important part of String Stores a collection of characters. “Hello
setting up the fi le is making it executable. This allows us to run World” is a string
code inside the hello_world.py fi le. We do this with the command
chmod +x hello_world.py. Now that we have our fi le set up, we
can go ahead and open it up in nano, or any text editor of your As well as these main data types, there are sequence types
choice. Gedit is a great editor with syntax highlighting support (technically, a string is a sequence type but is so commonly used
that should be available on any distribution. You’ll be able to we’ve classed it as a main data type):
install it using your package manager if you don’t have it already.
List Contains a collection of data in a specifi c order
[