[SixOfEleven]

Week #4: Python




Challenge: Write a simple program using Python.


What is Python?

Python is a remarkably powerful dynamic programming language that is used in a wide variety of application domains. Python is often compared to Tcl, Perl, Ruby, Scheme or Java. Some of its key distinguishing features include:

• very clear, readable syntax
  
• strong introspection capabilities
  
• intuitive object orientation
  
• natural expression of procedural code
  
• full modularity, supporting hierarchical packages
  
• exception-based error handling
  
• very high level dynamic data types
  
• extensive standard libraries and third party modules for virtually every task
  
• extensions and modules easily written in C, C++ (or Java for Jython, or .NET languages for IronPython)
  
• embeddable within applications as a scripting interface

This is a simple script I wrote to calculate the first 16 powers of 2 including 0.

a = 0
b = 1
while a < 17:
	print b,
	a, b = a + 1, b * 2

In the print statement having the comma after b causes the next item printed to be on the same line. This line of code a, b = a + 1, b * 2 is a multiple assignment that assigns a + 1 to a and b * 2 to b.

This code snippet form KYA will sort a list.

# Bubble Sort 
# KYA
# 7-20-08
def bubbleSort(theList, max):
	for n in range(0,max): #upper limit varies based on size of the list
		temp = 0
		for i in range(1, max): #keep this for bounds purposes
			temp = theList[i]
			if theList[i] < theList[i-1]:
				theList[i] = theList[i-1]
				theList[i-1] = temp

Ideas:
For those of you who don't know what to do with Python, here's some ideas:

• A number guessing game
  
• Printing out the roll of dice
  
• Create a random password generator that generates a password with a certain number of letters and numbers
  
• A file handler that does something useful (such as remove executable properties on all files in the parent directory and below)
  
• Advanced - Create a Twitter application using python-twitter or Python Twitter Tools
  
• Advanced - Create a simple game demo using pygame

Resources:

• Python Website
  
• Python Documentation
  
• Python Beginner‘s Guide
  
• The Python Tutorial
  
• python-twitter
  
• Python Twitter Tools
  
• pygame

We also have a Perl & Python forum and Snippets area as well as a couple Python Tutorials if you're interested.

How To Get Started:
Installing python on windows is no harder than installing any other piece of software, go to http://python.org/download/ and get the appropriate package. On linux it's likely already included, but python3 will need to be installed explicitly, most distros have a package named "python3", so go ahead and grab that (source is always available if you run an odd-ball distro). If you need help, just ask google.

For more information on installing Python you can visit this link.

Submit Your Challenge:
When you've completed the challenge, reply to this thread with a .zip/link/code/etc. of what you did.

Getting Help:
Post questions in our Perl & Python Forum.

[carltech]

maybe I'll put my python skills to the test on this one and make a game...I think I still have pygame on my desktop.
It has been a while since I used python though.

[SixOfEleven]

Then this is a great reason to try it again carltech. I look forward to seeing something from you.

[Skaggles]

I know nothing about Python, so this would be a nice chance to check it out.

[SixOfEleven]

That's the spirit Skaggles! We are hoping for people to try things they have never worked with before. Until last week I had never tried Python either. So far I like it.

[baavgai]

Hmm... I never got around to the twitter one. Can I combine the two?

[skyhawk133]

Absolutely If you can figure out how to combine python, jquery, and twitter you can do all 3

[Shane Hudson]

Python? I remember using that when I was like.. 8 or something! I expect it has completely changed since then though, like all of the other languages have.

Downloading Python!

[Chris Coneybeer]

So no never used python. Going to give the quick dice thing a go tonight. Been playing farkle lately and maybe create a quick game.

[SixOfEleven]

Sounds good Shane and Chris. I look forward to seeing something from you.

[TheStuff]

OOOH. Nice. I've never actually done anything in Python, yet I have been very interested in it for a while. It was my alternative choice to C++ when I began, but I stuck with C++. Definitely giving this a shot.

2:30 AM here and school is starting soon so I guess I will start tomorrow.

This post has been edited by TheStuff: 25 January 2010 - 08:38 AM

[SixOfEleven]

Good to hear TheStuff. Look forward to seeing something from you.

[brianarn]

I've been meaning to learn a little Python - I even have Dive Into Python 3 by Mark Pilgrim (an amazing author) and was planning on reading through the book this week, so, this lines up nicely.

Suggestion in general: If you want to learn a language but don't really have a specific project, picking something off of http://projecteuler.net/ is a great way to learn. Project Euler is neat.

[tashe]

I like that it doesn't use curly braces like in Java or C++. It improves the readability so much.
Will definitely post something until the end of the week.

[UrbanTwitch]

Hm. I barely know Python so this is going to be a good read. I may post something this week.

Thanks!!