Packt Publishing, 2016. — 193 p. — ISBN: 1782175067, 9781782175063
Key Features
Learn to start using Python for some simple programming tasks such as doing easy mathematical calculations.
Use logic and control loops to build a nice interesting game.
Get to grips with working with data and, once you're comfortable with that, you'll be introduced to Pygame, which will help you wrap up the book with a cool game.
Book Description
Kids are always the most fast-paced and enthusiastic learners, and are naturally willing to build stuff that looks like magic at the end (when it works!). Programming can be one such magic. Being able to write a program that works helps them feel they've really achieved something. Kids today are very tech-savvy and cannot wait to enter the fast-paced digital world.
Because Python is one of the most popular languages and has a syntax that is quite simple to understand, even kids are eager to use it as a stepping stone to learning programming languages.
This book will cover projects that are simple and fun, and teach kids how to write Python code that works.
The book will teach the basics of Python programming, installation, and so on and then will move on to projects. A total of three projects, with each and every step explained carefully, without any assumption of previous experience.
What you will learn
Start fiddling with Python's variables, build functions and interact with users
Build your own calculator using the Math Library
Train Python to make logical decisions
Work with moving 2D objects on-screen
Understand the Pygame Library and build your very own game!
Write a cool program to manage inventories in your backpack
About the Author
Jessica Ingrassellino is a multi-talented educator, business leader, and technologist. She received her EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University for music education with an emphasis on assessment.
Jessica is currently employed as the lead software engineer in testing at Bitly, New York City. She transitioned from a teaching career of 10 years to a technology career through a balance of freelance work and social media exposure. Jessica's current work focuses on using Python to develop automated testing tools. She is an ASTQB certified quality assurance engineer with experience in testing web, mobile, and backend applications.
In addition to working at Bitly, Jessica remains committed to education and has founded http://www.teachcode.org/, a nonprofit that teaches computer programming skills to teachers and students in urban or underserved populations through Python and 2D game programming. This new initiative will give teachers the support they need through a standards-referenced curriculum, student-engaging activities, and access to experts in the field of technology.
Contents:
Welcome! Let's Get Started
Variables, Functions, and Users
Calculate This!
Making Decisions – Python Control Flows
Loops and Logic
Working with Data – Lists and Dictionaries
What's in Your Backpack?
pygame
Tiny Tennis
Keep Coding!
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