au Tricks and Tipstech Python Tricks and Tips Welcome back... Having completed our exclusive For Beginners ital guidebook, we have taught you all you need to master the basics of your new device, software or hobby. Yet that's just the start! Advancing your skill set is the goal of all users of consumer technology and our team of long term industry experts will help you achieve exactly that. Over this extensive series of titles we will be looking in greater depth at how you make the absolute most from the latest consumer electronics, software, hobbies and trends! We will guide you step-by-step through using all the advanced aspects of the technology that you may have been previously apprehensive at attempting. Let our expert guide help you build your understanding of technology and gain the skills to take you froma confident user to an experienced expert. Over the page our journey continues, and we will be with you at every stage to advise, inform and ultimately inspire you to go further.uous Areca Roy EraaUK Cremer Ere cy eric Playing Music with the Winsound coke uel LNG H cea ae rg Bore iain reneer inertia See rueicnccas Cue Wec as ie 4 eee ee Cee tec cnn Ceo Cuune ied a a ae c ES N fs V5 3 a) Ce eel J Fe tw ie Ff H ee en nL)Contents Master Python with the help of our Fantastic Code Portal, Featuring code for games, tools and more. SEITE [hig ag “There’s so much you can do with Python and within these pages you'll Find everything you need to know to become a Python programmer, ready For the next level of advanced coding.”Loney ata On at the} end -ad i epee ae . in ame ] - ¥@SING ~. Modules Oe Cea ie) source file that contains the necessary code for classes, Functions and global Mere ec modules to extend functionality, and create even more spectacular Python programs. te sa ry Netgear ee Ey ecenes crs teed See Een tury used to fashion Fantastic code with eee eau starlets) ReneeED) wanes Calendar Module Beyond the Time module, the Calendar module can produce some interesting results Mica cee Rimu tiger Maerua ose meet reat Time module-like Format, you can actually call up a wall calendar type display. WORKING WITH DATES ‘The Calendar module is built into Python 3. However, if For some reason it’s not installed you can add it using pip install ‘calendar as a Windows administrator, or sudo pip install calendar for Linux and macOS. FERED L2urch Python 3andenter: import catendarto [ERTEENEMM There are numerous functions within the Calendar callup the module end its inherent Functions. Once ‘module that may be of interestto you when it’s loaded into memory, start by entering: Forming your own code, For example, you can display the number of leap years between two specific years: ‘The resultis 29, starting from 1904 onward, ‘Ble Edt Shel) Debug Astions Window eb fe ae Se ene mo) SE Sat a, a umeact BED orc eetecosct serena EREIB vxcousccntaiontat ower exngeine displayed in a wall calendar Fashion, Naturally you apiece of working, user interactive Python code: ‘ean change the 2019, 9 part ofthe second line to any year and ‘month you want, a bithday For example (1973, 6). The irst line ‘configures TextCalendar to start its weeks on a Sunday; you can opt. For Monday if you prefer. Phan 52aCalendar Module @~} BETESED) Youcanalso create a program that willdisplayall EFM You're also ableto print the individual months, or the days, weeks and months within a given year: days, of the week: inport calendar print (calendar.preal (year)) ‘We're sure you'll agree that's quite a handy bit of code to have tohand. iukes sie Interestingly we can alsolist the number of daysin a [REESE The Calendar module also allows us to write the ‘month by using a simple: For loop: functions in HTML, so that you can display it ona ‘website. Let's start by creating anew file: daysinmonth py -/home/pi/Documents/daysinmor ‘Ble Est Famet_Bun Options dow telp ‘This code wll create an HTML Fle called cal open twith a browser Taport calendar and it displays the calendar for January 2019. ccal=calendar Textcalendar (calendar SUNDAY) For Tarleth Atermonthnys(z0i, 6 rine’ PEPIEM) You cansee that, atthe outset, the code produced RPM of course, you can modify that to display given some zeros. This is due to the starting day ofthe ‘year asa web page calendar: ‘week, Sunday in this case, plus overlapping days from the previous ‘month. Meaning the counting ofthe days will start on Saturday 1st June 2019 and wil total 30, as the output correctly displays. Be 6 Se Bo ‘This code ass the user Fora year and then creates the necessary, ‘webpage. Remember to change your file destination. saa |OS Module MIO Murols Cel EAo RM ome e-ceANe Manele eee Toe I Manele operating system. Commands vary depending on the OS you're running, as some will Mor aMM Ine Mena ean en Me aun ne nC hu rleOse INTO THE SYSTEM One of the primary Features of the OS module is the ability to list, move, create, delete and otherwise interact with files stored on the system, making it the perfect module for backup code. BRTEERD Youconstart the OS module with some simple FETED The windows outputis different as that’s the system environment that Python is running on. IFyou're using Linux by the system; as you might suspect, the os.getcwd) Function fs ‘or the Raspberry Pi try this: asking Python to retrieve the Current Working Directory, Linux users ‘willsee something along the same lines asthe Raspberry i, as will, import 8 wise some home=o8..getcwd () print (home) a PEED The retumedresultfrom printing the variable home [EWA ver another interesting element to the OS module, Is the current user's home Folder on the system. isits ability to launch programs that are installed Inour example that's fhome/pit willbe diferent depending on _inthehostsystem.Forinstance if you wanted to launch the the username you log inas and the operating ystem you use Chromium brouser From within a Python program you can use For example, Windows 10 wil output: C\Program Files (x86)\ the command: Python36-32 Inport 08 oD browser=o5. ystem(*/usr/bin/chroniun-browser") 10 aeFETED The os.systern() Function is what allows interaction with external programs; you can even call up previous Python programs using this method. You will obviously Need to know the full path and program file name for itto work successfully. However, you can use the Following import 08 os.system( ‘start chrome “https: //waw.youtube.com/ feed/musict”) For Step 5's example we used Windows, 0 show SuaG that the OS module works roughly the same across all platforms. in that case, we opened YouTube's music feed page, so Ristherfore possible to open spec pages smpor 08 conv eyeten(chrontum-browssr *httpi// bbtapublications.cow/"") [Note inthe previous step’s example the use of single and double-quotes. The single quotes encase the entire command and launching Chromium, whereas the double ‘quotes open the specified page. You can even use variables to call multiple tabs in the same browser: inport os a= (‘chromiun-browser *http://bdmpublications. ecom/"*) bbe (‘chromiun-browser *hetp://waw.google.co-uk"’) os.system(a +b) (osModule ell — Bisa) ‘The ability to manipulate directories, or Folders iF you prefer, is one of the OS module's best Features. For example to create a new directory you can use: import 05 5. mkdir ("NEW") This creates a new directory within the Current Working Directory, named according to the abject in the mkdir Function, You can also rename any directories youve created byentering: import 08 os.rename (*NEW", “OLD") Todelete them: import 08 os.rndir(*0LD*) ‘Another module that goes together with OS is shutil. Youcan use the Shutil module together with OS and time to create a time stamped backup directory, and copy files into it Amport os, shutil, time root_sre_dir = x’ /hone/pi/Documents* root_dst_dir = */home/pi/backup/’ + time-asctime() for src_dir, dirs, files in os.walk(root_src_dir): dst_dir = src_dir.replace(root_sre_dir, root_ dst_dir, 1) Af not os.path.exists (ds 08 makedirs (dst_dir) for file_ in files: src_file = os.path.join(sre dir, file) Gst_file = os.path. join(dst_dir, file) Af Os.path.exists (dst_file) : 5. remove (dst_file) shutil.copy(sre_file, dst_dir) ain): print ("ssssssssssackup conpleteccecececee")ED) ties Using the Math Module One of the most used modules you will come across is the Math module. As we've MENON ete Mee aur acl ental me ea there’s an incredible number of uses the Math module can have in your code. E=MC ‘The Math module provides access to a plethora of mathematical Functions, From simply displaying the value of Pi, to helping you create complex 3D shapes. ‘The Math module i builtin to Python 3; so there's ‘As you will no doubt be aware by now, if you know noneed to PIPinstallit. swith the other modules the name of the individual functions within the present, you can import the module's function by simply entering module you can specifically import them. For instance, the Floor and import math into the Shell or as part of your code in the Editor. Cell functions round dawn and up @ float: | Ele ot_shed Debug Spins _ndows_ Hep Python 3-42 (default, Oct 19 20Ve, 3a) (ee 4.8.1) on hinue ype Aleense()™ for more anformation. pyragne”, eredits pee" nSePe ats St Taefault, 0et 19-2018, 138 {eee 4.9.1) en inue Type *eapyrighe™, "eredits or "License()" for nore information. De" Selaath Inport Fleer. ceil 35> Hser(t-2) B>> cettcr.2y 2 PEPER ieorting the Math module will give you access to BEAM the math module can alco be renamed as you the module's code. From there, you can callup any import it, as withthe other modules on offer within ‘of the available functions within Math by using mats Followed by Python. This often saves time, but don't forget to make a comment the name of the Function in question. For example, enter: to show someone else looking at your code what you've done: math.sin (2) “This displays the sine of 2 Ele Est Shel Debug Gotens wndows Help Python 3-4-2 (Gefaule, oct 19 2014, 13aTTID {6CC 4.8.1) on linge Hype “Cooyright"; “credits” or “License(}" for more infamation. 2S sapere >>> math-sin(2) erFETED Athough iv's not common practise, itis possible to import Functions From a module and rename them. In this example, we're importing Floor from Math and renaming it tof. although where lengthy code is in use, this process can quickly become confusing: rygbon 3-4. Carta. oct {ee 3:4jon ine ys Sige eregter or “scene for more snforation. be Fetay BREED Porting all the Functions ofthe Math Module can, bbe done by entering: from math import + ‘hile certainly handy, thisis often frowned upon by the developer ‘community 3 it takes up unnecessary resources and isnt an «efficent way of coding, However, iit works For you then go ahead, ype “copy - ie Merete” oF “License()” fo ‘inport ESTED cterestinaly, some functions within the Math ‘module are more accurate, orto be more precise are ‘designed to return a more accurate valve, than others. For example: SME a i Using the Math Module e Ears (0° further accuracy, when it comes to numbers the ‘exp and expr Functions can be used to compute precise values: ytbon 34-3 COeaule. Oct (ce 4.9.1) on Linwe Hype cepyrighe’: Sereaits” or “License()* for more information. 2S corte art Sap expt ETEGERD Tis level of accuracy is really quite impressive, but ‘auite niche for the most part. Probably the two ‘most used functions ae e and Pi, where e isthe numerical constant equal to 2.71828 (where the circumference ofa circle divided by itsdiameten): Ceefaatt, oct 19 20 tj op lane Eredits" oF “License()” for more information. reisanesssenio3 Ea PFET The wealth of mathematical functions available trough the Math module is vast and covers everything from factors to infinity, powers to trigonometry and angular conversion to constants. Look up https://docs.python.org/3/_ Uibrary/math html For alist of avaliable Math module Functions.ED) wanes Random Module Deu CCAM Re eet a Na ee CE cme aeMeetes emote corns rece teat Pants or letters. However, it’s not exactly random but it will suffice for most needs. RANDOM NUMBERS ‘There are numerous functions within the Random module, which when applied can create some interesting and very useful Python programs. PETER 2ustaswith other modules you need to import FETED iowever, the Random module isn't used exclusively random before you can use any ofthe Functions for numbers. You can use itto select an entry From a ‘we're going to look atin this tutorial Let's begin by simply printing 8 list From random, and thelist can contain anything: random number From 1 to 5: ‘This wil display one of the names of our adventurers at random, “which isa great addition toa text adventure game. nour example the number four ‘was returned, However, enter the print Function a few more times andit will display different integer values from the set of numbers given, zero to five. The ‘overall effect, although pseudo- random, is adequate or the ‘average programmer to utlsein their code. Cases ceacm You can extend the previous example somewhat by pean) BALD 09 andom.cote select from lst of mined Foner variables Forinstance: ESTESEDD Fora bigver set of numbers, including Floating point values, you can extend the range by using the multiplication sign: Amport random f print (xandom.random() +100) oe ae TT ‘ill splay 3 floating point number between 0 and 100, tothe tune ‘of around fifteen decimal points, eer 4Random Module e mm ESTEE ixterestingly, you can also use afunction within the [RNIB Let's use an example piece of code which flips @ Random module to shuffle the itersin the lst, thus virtual con ten thousand times and counts how ‘adding alittle more randomness into the equation: ‘many times it ill land on heads or tails: randon. shuffle (1st) import random print (1st) output=("Heads":0, *Tails’:0} ‘This way, you can keep shuffling the ist before displaying arandom _ S#n=248E (output -Keys ()) ikem from it. for 4 in range (10000! ‘output [random.choice (coin) ]+=2 print ("Heads:", output ("Keads")) print (*Tails:", output [*fails"]) sng shuffle, you can create amenity random ist SUPT of numbers. For example, within a given range: Amport random Let=[(i1 for 1 in range (20)1 random. shuffle(1st) Here's an interesting piece of code. Using a text print (Ist) file containing 466 thousand words, you can pluck a user generated number of words From the File textile found at: ‘www github.com/dwyfenglish-words}: import random keep shuffling the list and you can have a different selection of items from 0to 20 everytime, print ("ssssssssssRandom Word Findercecceeecee") print (*\nUsing a 466K English word text file I can [eeu sth entine ee pick any words at random. \n") Feather wdseint (Anput (*\nHow many words shall T choose? Hated = with open(*/home/pi/Downloads/words.txt", “rt") as f: words = £.readlines() words = [w.rstrip() for w in words) BREED Youcanalso select arandom number fromagiven print ( range in steps, using the start, stop, step loop: VEE RRTTEELE ENTER import random print (w) for i in range(20) + print (random-randrange(0, 200, 7)) “) Results will vary but you get the general idea as to how it works.Evins) Tkinter Module CAT ate VolUmeole Miran Leo ure RR ACER BS od Kren ARN Pee Soe Meme caet ier ienmutascs upa Graphical User Interface to interact with the user, and Se SIA cn GETTING GUI ‘Tkinter is easy to use but there's alot more you can do with it. Let's start by seeing how it works and getting some code into it. Before long you will discover just how powerful this module really is. FETED Tkiteris usually builtinto Python 3, However, if 's available when you enter: import. tkinter, then youneed to pip install tkinter fromthe command prompt, ‘We can start to import modules differently than before, to save on typing and by importing all theircontents: BPD snot recommended to import everything froma ‘module using the asterisk but itwon't do any harm ‘normally Let's begin by creating abasic GUI window, enter: winder () “This creates a small, basic window. There's not much else to do at this point but click the x in the corner to close the window. Pyeensca oat ‘The ideal approach isto add mainloop0 into the code to control the Tkinter event oop, but we'l {get to that soon, You've just created a Tkinter widget and there are several more we can play around with: Sse} ben["text*]=*Hello everyone!” ‘Theft line Focuses on the newiy created window. Click backinto the Shell and continue the other lines. I hon 42 Sat -o* “Setar py ealpiDonave. 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