The Begin to Code with Python book now has its own tools page. This has links to the downloads for Python implementations, the code samples, and also a rather nifty guide that maps the book content onto the skills for the Microsoft MTA: 98-381 Python exam.
And you can find a link to Amazon as well, so you can buy your own copy.
It was really nice to see some students from Hymers College today. They'd dropped by to talk about Python, which was great. I hope I said some things that you found useful. I did find time to gratuitously plug my new book (see left).
Incidentally, anyone can get the final four chapters of the book as free downloads from here.
These chapters are the ones where you actually deploy what you've learnt in the previous parts.
It makes sense to have them as downloads as you can have the book open while you work on the sample code.
I hope you find them useful.
I spent a big chunk of yesterday going through the final drafts of "Begin to Code with Python". And today the files will be going off to the printers.
I started work on the book in March, and we now have a 630 page book with over 170 example programs. Thanks to everyone at Pearson and Microsoft Press for letting me write it and being so helpful during the process..
The book will be in the shops at the start of December. The perfect Christmas present.
That's it. Chapter 16 (writing games with pygame) is done. I've finished writing the original material for Begin to Code with Python. Now I just have to finish the editing. But at least I don't have to go to bed thinking about what I'm going to write tomorrow.
Now that we're back in Hull it's time to finish off the last part of the book.
You might not here from me for a while....
We're having a few days away. Don't tell the folks at Microsoft Press, I'm supposed to be finishing of the final chapters of "Begin to Code with Python".
(actually I'm spending a goodly chunk of each day away on chapter edits, so my conscience is clear...)
Begin to Code with Python is coming along. I've been playing with pygame for chapter 13. Looks quite good. And of course there is a game involving cheese.
Back writing today. Chapter 11. Really starting to like Python now, which is a bit scary.
Just typed this into a Python class. I think it's time to stop for the day....
Creating pretty menu screens, Snaps style
As you might know, I'm working on Begin to Code Python. You can order a copy below. It will be out once I've finished writing it....
When I wrote the Begin to Code with C# book (which you can buy now - see below) I wrote a library of functions I called Snaps. The idea was to use these to make it easy for people to create impressive applications right from the start. Snaps for C# became an enormous library that you can find on GitHub here. I'm using it for my Monday Snaps which you can read each, er, Monday.
Anyhoo, when I started the Python book I wondered about writing a Snaps library for Python. I've always been concerned that people might think that they are getting a book about Snaps, not programming, and so I wasn't sure whether another library would be a good idea. And the libraries do take a while to build.
To cut a long story short, I've decided to make some Snaps for Python. They're much more lightweight than the ones I wrote for C#. They're built on the pygame framework so that I can get some nice graphical and audio elements with minimal effort. I've put the first version of Python Snaps, along with all the sample programs for the first five chapter's worth of examples, on GitHub here.
I must admit I'm really (and I mean really) enjoying writing Python at the moment. As a language that lets you go quickly from idea to implementation I think it is very hard to beat. It requires a different approach to programming from a language like C#. but that's not a bad thing.
The Korg Kaossilator is a nifty device for making weird sound effects. I got one quite a while back and it has provided the sounds for quite a few projects. Today I was working on Begin To Code Python and I needed a suitably awakening tone for an alarm program that I'm writing. So I dug out Mr. Kaoss.
I remember years ago that one of the marketing pitches behind Duracell batteries was that they didn't leak.
That is not the case now. Ugh. But after a thorough clean up we are back in business and making amazing sounds again. If you're interested, the sound I ended up with is here:
Well, this is exciting. I'm just finishing off Chapter 9 and I find that the book is already available for pre-order on Amazon.
Better keep writing....
Not had a great day to be honest. The exhaust fell off the Cube and a bunch of food in the freezer got spoilt when the door stuck open.
One way to cheer yourself up is to get lost in a good book, so I'm doing just that; writing chapter 3 of Begin to Code with Python.
Rob Miles is technology author and educator who spent many years as a lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Hull. He is also a Microsoft Developer Technologies MVP. He is into technology, teaching and photography. He is the author of the World Famous C# Yellow Book and almost as handsome as he thinks he is.
Make your own programming language. Find out more here.
