Introducing Python
So, you favor to study programming. Welcome to one of the fantastic adventures
of the twenty-first century.Programming requires little in the way of specialized equipment; the software program equipment can all be downloaded for
free off the Internet, and it can be practiced in the security and relief of
your very own home, besides having to ask anyone’s permission. This chapter
will ease you in gently with the aid of introducing you to the software program
you will want to create your programs: a command-line interface, which permits
you to use Python in interactive mode, and a textual content editor for writing
scripts—nothing greater problematic than that. I will additionally exhibit you
where to go to locate assist and documentation, so you can decode the now and
again impenetrable jargon that looks to encompass this, the geekiest of all
technical disciplines. To start with, you will want to make certain that you
have a decently latest model of Python set up on your machine
or observe the steps later in this chapter to deploy it (see “Choosing the
Right Python Version” for a definition of decently recent). This chapter
explains how to make certain that you have the entirety set up efficaciously
and that you have appropriate references at hand earlier than you begin your
journey.
Python is an exceptional language with which to study programming. There are
many motives for this, however the easy clarification is that it’s handy to
study and speedy to write; it doesn’t take lengthy to come up with working code
that does some thing meaningful. Python has a very human-friendly syntax, which
makes writing based code easy. The fundamental language is pretty easy and
consequently convenient to remember, and then it has an giant library of
predefined features that you can use to facilitate most frequent laptop tasks.
Writing superb purposes in Python can be as easy as enjoying with conceptual
constructing blocks. It works genuinely properly for writing a little two-line
utility to operate some activities machine administration undertaking or to
supply interactive features on a internet page, however it has adequate
strength and flexibility to quite simply create an awful lot large and greater
complicated purposes with photo interfaces
indistinguishable from the applications you are used to strolling from your
computer’s primary menu. If you observe the hints laid out in this e book about
writing self-explanatory code, in a number of months, even years, you will be
capable to come lower back to your packages and see right now what they had
been supposed to do and what your authentic intentions were; this makes
retaining applications lots less difficult too.
OK, let’s make positive your
gadget is geared up for you to begin going for walks Python programs.
Running Python on Various Systems
Python can be mounted and run on most working structures which include Windows,
Mac OS X, or OS/2, Linux, and Unix. If you are going for walks Mac OS X or a
GNU/Linux system, you will probable have it hooked up through default. I would
advocate the usage of a machine of this kind, which already has Python set up
as an fundamental part. The e book was once written the usage of a Debian
GNU/Linux system, and therefore, the examples will work precisely the equal on
any Debian-based system, such as Ubuntu. In fact, the variations between Linux
editions are few, so you’ll be equally at domestic with different
distributions.
Installing on Windows
If you are the usage of Windows, you will likely have to deploy Python and
configure sure settings successfully earlier than you can get to grips with the
examples in this book. For that, you will want to refer to the particular
guidelines for your running gadget on the following Python net pages:
- • http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/Download
- • http://www.python.org/doc/faq/windows/
- • http://docs.python.org/dev/3.0/using/windows.html
First, you want to down load the reliable installer; choice variations for
Itanium and AMD machines are on hand from http://www.python.org/download/. You must keep this
file, which will have a .msi extension, someplace you’ll be capable to discover
once more easily. You can then double-click this file to begin the Python set
up wizard, which will take you via the installation. It’s satisfactory to
receive the default settings if you’re now not positive of any answer.
Installing on Other Systems
You might also pick out to set up Python on different systems, specifically if
you prefer to take gain of more recent versions. For Linux and different
Unix-like systems, the set up guidelines are here:
- • http://docs.python.org/dev/3.0/using/unix.html
- If you’re the usage of OS X, your directions are here:
- • http://www.python.org/download/mac/
- • http://docs.python.org/dev/3.0/using/mac.html
Understanding the Jargon
Throughout this book, I will be doing my first-class to demystify, make clear
and give an explanation for the more than a few bits of technical terminology
that you will often come upon in the course of the procedure of studying the
artwork of programming. Technical phrases and jargon phrases that want
similarly rationalization will be highlighted in daring the first time you
stumble upon them. Any phrases no longer right away defined in the chapter will
be included in the “Jargon Busting” part at the cease of every chapter. You may
also additionally desire to find out about one of the most well-known sources
on the Internet, the Jargon File, which is phase of the New Hacker’s Dictionary
(available at http://catb.org/~esr/jargon/).
As an example, here’s the definition of the noun “code” from the Jargon File:
“The stuff that software program writers write, both in supply structure or
after translation via a compiler or assembler. Often used in opposition to
‘data,’ which is the stuff that code operates on. Among hackers this is a mass
noun, as in ‘How lots code does it take to do a “bubble sort”?’ or ‘The code is
loaded at the excessive cease of RAM.’ Among scientific programmers, it is once
in a while a rely noun equal to ‘program;’ for this reason they can also
communicate of ‘codes’ in the plural. Anyone referring to software program as
‘the software program codes’ is in all likelihood a ‘newbie’ or a ‘suit’.”
For comparison’s sake, here’s the definition of the verb “code”:
“To write code. In this sense, usually refers to supply code instead than
compiled. ‘I coded an Emacs clone in two hours!’ This verb is a bit of a
cultural marker related with the Unix and minicomputer traditions (and recently
Linux); human beings inside that subculture decide on v. ‘code’ to v.
‘program,’ whereas outdoor it, the reverse is typically true.”
The noun “program” is described as being:
- • “A magic spell forged over a laptop permitting it to flip one’s enter into error messages”
- • “An exercising in experimental epistemology”
- • “A shape of art, ostensibly supposed for the coaching of computers, which is although nearly inevitably a failure if different programmers can’t apprehend it” As the records contained in the Jargon File is greater pleasing than strictly informative.
Learning While Having Fun
Having exciting is regularly underestimated in the realm of technical
disciplines. We research first-rate and are most productive when we’re having
fun. Developing software program the use of Python is regularly an engrossing
and exciting experience, partly because you can check out your modifications as
quickly as you have made them besides having to function any middleman steps.
Python additionally offers with many history tasks, the family chores of programming,
so you don’t have to trouble with them as you would possibly in languages like
C. This form of instantaneous gratification makes it simpler to continue to be
in the innovative drift and maintain being inspired.
Python is additionally effortless to read, being closer to herbal language than
many different programming languages, so you spend much less time making an attempt to decode what you
have simply written, which in flip potential greater time to assume about how
you may want to enhance and amplify your work.
The different awesome issue is that you can use Python for fantastically lots
any project you can assume of, be it giant or small, easy text-driven script or
fundamental graphical application. It does have its limitations, however with the
aid of the time you come up towards them, you will already have turn out to be
a able programmer and will be capable to make an knowledgeable desire about the
place to go next.
Introducing the Interactive Shell
Although this e book is particularly aimed at displaying you how to write
stand-alone scripts and applications—that is, absolutely fledged applications
that don’t require some thing different than having Python set up for them to
work—Python additionally works in interactive mode, which lets in you to enter
Python instructions the use of a command-line interface. This is a
extraordinary aid for immediately Python gratification.
The small print may also be one-of-a-kind in accordance to your working system.
The first line indicates the Python model wide variety and the compilation date
of the model you have installed. The ultimate line (>>>) is your
Python prompt. This shows that the Python interpreter is strolling and ready
for your input. The Python interpreter is the application that reads Python
applications and contains out their instructions. Interactive mode can be
beneficial for trying out out man or woman instructions line via line,
experimenting with new ideas, and getting assist (try typing help(), and don’t
overlook the parentheses; they are important). To get out of the interactive
Python interpreter on a Linux system, you can use the quit() or exit()
functions, or else you should maintain down the Ctrl key and the D key at the
equal time (in Windows, you need to use Ctrl+Z and then press Enter).
Choosing to Code with a Text Editor
My favored technique of growing Python scripts is to use a undeniable textual
content editor, with a few basic programming features. Programs like notepad (especially notepad2/++), BBedit,
gedit, NEdit and Kate are best for this task. A range of editors are handy that
provide particular enhancements for programmers, such as syntax highlighting,
which is beneficial for displaying coding blunders right now as you type.
Old-school hackers may also decide upon to use Vi or Emacs. Python does now not
dictate what software program you use to create the code; the desire is up to
you. Do now not try to use word-processing software, such as Word or OpenOffice
for this task; it will mess you up badly. Be warned!
Choosing to Code with an Integrated Development Environment
An built-in improvement surroundings (IDE) is a graphical interface with loads
of useful aspects designed to make programming with Python even easier. You
nonetheless have to kind the code in the equal way, however you can do all your
coding the use of a single application, and these programming environments can
supply some beneficial shortcuts and reminders. There are now countless
Python-specific IDEs. Popular purposes consist of IDLE (which is bundled with
Python itself), Eric (you may also observe a theme here, nudge nudge, wink
wink, say no more...), Geany, DrPython, and SPE. Python is additionally
supported by using greater normal programming environments like Bluefish and a
total host of others. This e book doesn’t cowl the use of IDEs or any of the
choice distributions of Python, due to the fact every of these tactics would
require a chapter unto themselves, at the very least. However, the examples
contained in this e book will nonetheless work if you do select to discover
these options. This e book will take the easiest approach,using equipment that come as preferred with most working systems; that is, a
textual content editor and the Python Interactive Shell.
Getting Started with Programming
The system of writing a new application normally begins with a problem. Before
you can code anything, you want to have an thinking of what you choose to
create, the hassle you desire to solve, and a pretty correct notion of how to
clear up it. Chapter two will take you thru the method of designing software,
recognized as the software program improvement cycle. Usually, this is some
thing that you have to study separately, as most programming manuals go
straight into the important points of the language, assuming you will have
studied application format at university or in the system of studying some
different programming language. This can lead you to create code that is hard
to study and recognize and makes fixing troubles later a nightmare.
Understanding the principles of software plan can dramatically velocity up the method of growing
new software program and assist make certain that vital small print are now not
ignored out.
Creating Your Own Help Files
Python is described as self-documenting. This doesn’t imply that it will write
your person guide for you, however you can add blocks of text, recognized as
documentation strings, to your personal code, and these strings will then exhibit
up in an on-line assist utility. This records can effortlessly be grew to
become into net pages to grant a beneficial reference. I will exhibit you how
to do this in Tutorial it is one of the special facets of Python and is really
worth studying how to use early on.
Jargon Busting
This chapter delivered countless technical phrases with which you can also now
not be familiar, these are described as follows:
- Command-line interface (CLI): This mechanism is for interacting with a laptop by means of typing in instructions to a text-based interface such as the terminal or DOS prompt.
- Compile: This technique turns a sequence of directions in programming language, which is readable by using people (in theory) into desktop code, which can be immediately performed via the computer. Python does this robotic-ally in the history when you run your script. In some different languages, this has to be executed as a separate step earlier than you can execute the program.
- Documentation strings: This block of textual content on the first line of a function, module, class, or technique definition is additionally referred to as a “docstring.” Docstrings are used through Python’s built in tools for automatic checking out and to grant assist documentation.
- Interpreter: This application turns a sequence of directions in a script into some thing that a pc can execute on the fly, efficiently compiling the code as the application is jogging as an alternative than as a separate step.
- Natural language: This is language that human beings speak, as adversarial to a programming language.
- Operating system: This is the software program thing of a pc machine that is accountable for the administration and coordination of things to do and the sharing of the assets of the computer. The running machine communicates between the functions that are run on the computer and the machine’s hardware components.
- Prompt: This visible cue tells the person to enter something.
- Script and application: The phrases “script,” “application,” and “program” are used extremely interchangeably in this book, although there are some refined variations in meaning:
- Script: This quick however whole piece of code is meant to be run the use of an interpreter. A script will exist as a textual content file that you can read.
- Application: This refers to any utilized use of a programming language. It normally skill a complete, packaged-up, and usable piece of software. It is the desired time period among-st Linux/Unix users.
- Program: This refers to the sequence of guidelines concerned in a script or application; it is additionally used as a conventional time period to describe an executable laptop file.
- Version number: This quantity corresponds to a new improvement in a piece of software. These numbers may additionally refer to principal or minor modifications and are commonly assigned in growing order. The technique used for assigning these numbers is referred to as a versioning system.
Summary
This chapter has defined some of the technical phrases that you will stumble
upon as you learn about the artwork of programming and has delivered you to
some sources of similarly statistics to assist you as you develop in
understanding.
So far, you have made certain that the proper model of Python is established on
your device and you comprehend how to get to the Python command prompt. You
ought to have chosen a textual content editor to use for writing and saving
your scripts, however you haven’t written any code yet. In the subsequent
chapter I will exhibit you how to begin designing packages from the preliminary
seed of a hassle that you want to solve.
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