IES ato Codin Flat Programming @ Advanced guides and tutorials for coding Linux and SECRETS & Ae HACKS KS @ We share our awesome coding tips and projects to push Everything you need to master essential coding and programming skills your skills further @ Next level fixes and secrets help you get more from Linux distributionsTech Guides Available on Who” (% TRICKS & TIPS RYE CBE ky Bey ass etry | is vA aa ad Vv Cloud Cz For a full list of titles available visit: www.pclpublications.comTRICKS & TIPS Coding eae Coding and Programming Tricks & Tips is the perfect digital publication for the user that wants to take their skill set to the next level. Do you want to enhance your user experience? Or wish to gain insider knowledge? Do you want to learn directly from experts in their field? Learn the numerous short cuts that the professionals use? Over the pages of this new advanced user guide you will learn everything you will need to know to become a more confident, better skilled and experienced owner. A user that will make the absolute most of their software and ultimately their coding skills themselves. An achievement you can earn by simply enabling us to exclusively help and teach you the abilities we have gained over our decades of experience. Over the page our journey Continues, and we will be with you at every stage to meets inform and ultimately inspire you to 90 Further.8 What isa Batch File? 24 10 Getting Started with Batch Files 26 12 _ Getting an Output 28 14 Playing with Variables 30 16 Batch File Programming 32 18 Loops and Repetition 34 20 Creating a Batch File Game 36 38 40 42 46 48 50 54 56 58 seages bya Reels ako seek) Why Linux? The Best Linux Distributions Equipment You Will Need Creating a Linux installer on Windows Installing Linux on a PC Installing a Virtual Environment Installing Linux in a Virtual Environment Getting Ready to Code in Linux Creating Bash Scripts Part 1 Creating Bash Scripts Part 2 Creating Bash Scripts Part 3 Creating Bash Scripts ~ Part 4 Creating Bash Scripts — Part 5 Command Line Quick Reference ES Planning your Code Finding Resources Creating a Loading Screen Planning a Text Adventure Text Adventure Script Retro Coding Text Animations Common Coding Mistakes Python Beginner's Mistakes C+ Beginner's Mistakesrae ~~ | 4 aT a tutte) 1k Nejc au) : ee UST p 6s du 5) to aby fo} ey yiredn) sais cr lye ee * ass wate ' 9 od 1 i . 4 ' jl iM 7 ' {1 a a Ps Y : C6 Oo. - 5Eb) Coding with Windows 10 Batch FilesCoding with — Windows 10 mee 5 i-|8G an ellos DR aera ar Cees ear Ti eae ee eae cea around since the early days of Windows, and Meee Cet ewer itsg Pere curicaiel te mncicice they are still there and still just as capable as A SCC Ce Cee ea) Ener eee men eRe att} a bit of time learning how they work, and SE el he LeoR aR et cs ola) introduces batch files, and covers user ered eee cue T rc) Tete one eet Cuc taeCoding with Windows 10 Batch Files What is a Batch File? .-BAT MAN A Windows batch file is simply a script file that runs a series of commands, one line at a time, much in the same fashion as a Linux seript. The series of commands are executed by the command line interpreter and stored in a plain text file with the BAT extension; this signifies to Windows that it’s an executable file, in this case, a script. Batch fileshave been around since the earliest versions of Mic DOS. Although not exclusively a Microsoft scripting fle, bat soft ine in tun, loading programs that would activate the mouse oF files optical drive into the memory areas assigned by the Contfigys file ‘are mainly associated with Microsoft's operating systems. nthe early days, when a PC bootedinto a version of DOS (which produced The DOS user of the day could opt to create different Autoexe: ‘ommand prompt when powered up), the batch fle was _bat files depending on what they wanted to do. For example, iF Used in the form ofa system file called Autoexec.bat. Autoexec they wanted to play a game and have as much memory available bat was a script that automaticaly executed (hence Autoexec) as possible, they'd create a Config.sys and Autoexec.bat set of i commands once the operating system had finished dealing with the that loaded the bare minimum of drivers and so on. IF they n Configssys ile access to the network, an Autoexec.bat ile could be crea When a user powered up their DOS based computer, and once the BIOS had finished checking the system memory ‘and s0 09, DOS would look to the Configsys file to load any specific play requirements and hardware drivers, allocate ther a lotin the ‘available memory, assign ‘any memory managers and tell the system where the Command.com file, whichis the command ine interpreter for 008, was Once it had done that, then the Autoexec.bat ile took over and an through each ‘The Autoexecbatfile was aPC user's first experience with a batch file. < wn peubleationscomBatch files are plain text and often created using Notepad. Batch files were often used as utility programs, to help users with, complextasks. load the network card driver and automatically ain access to the network, Each of these unique setups would be loaded on toa Floppy disk and booted as and when required by the user Autoexec.bat was the first such Fle many users came across in their PC-based computing lives; since many had come from a 16-bit or even &-bit background; remember, this was the late eighties 1 batch file was the user's primary tool For ‘automating tasks, creating shortcuts and adventure games and translating complex pracesses into something far simpler such when the PC boots. You can use a batch file in the same way as any other scripting language file, in that you can programit to ask for us splay the results on the screen; or save to 1nd even send it toa locally or network attached printer. You can create scriptsto back up your Fle to various locations, compare date stamps and only back up the most recently changed content as ‘well as program the script to do all this automatically. Batch files are remarkably powerful and despite them not being as commonly ust ‘as they were during the older days of 008, they are still there and an be utilised even in the latest version of Windows 10; and can be as complex or simple as you want them to be, So what do you need to star batch file programming in Windows? Well, as long as you have Windows 10, or any older version oF Windows for that matter, you can start batch file programming Lely. Allyou need is tobe able to open Notepad and get to the command prompt of Windows. We show you how it all works, so read on, What is a Batch File? BATCH FILE POWER Just ike any other programming interface that can directly interrogate and manipulate the system, batch fils require a certain amount of care when programming. I's hard to cdamage your system with a batch file, as the more important elements of the modern Windows system are protected by the User Account Control (UAC) security; UAC works by only allowing elevated privileges access to important system files. Therefore ifyou create a batch file that somehow deletes a system file, the UAC activates and stop the process. However, iF you're working in the command prompt with elevated privileges to begin with, as the Administrator, then the UAC won't question the batch file and continue regardless cof what files are being deleted That said, you're not ikely to create a batch file that intentionally wipes out your operating system. There are system controls in place to help prevent that; but it’s worth ‘mentioning as there are batch files available on the Internet that contain malicious code designed to create problems, "Much like a virus, @ rogue bateh ile (when executed with Administrator privileges) can cause much mayhem and system damage. n short, don't randomly execute any batch fil downloaded from the Internet as an Administrator, without First reviewing what it does. You can learn more about batch filesin the coming pages, so don't worry too much about destroying your system with one. All this ust demonstrates how powerful the humble batch file canbe. ‘You can create complex batch files or simple ones that display ‘ASCIlimages on screen, won pelpbbeationscomCoding with Windows 10 Batch Files Getting Started with Batch Files A NEW BATCH ‘Throughout this section on batch files we're going to be working with Notepad, the command prompt and within a Folder called "Batch Files’. To begin with, let’s see how you get to the Windows command prompt. PEED the windows PEED white at the command prompt win er command 2 L/W. This ists all the Files and directories From prompt may looka little fi 0 In thiscase, that's you tunting to the newcomer y user that lagsin. You butit’s simply another interface (or Shell) used to access the filesystem. You go anywhere you tke in nen press Return. the command prompt, as you would with the graphical interface. To begin, click on the Windows Start button and enter CMO into the search box. FETTSPD Click on the search resutlabelled Command Prompt [EWA The prompt should change and display (Desktop App) and anew window pops up. The Dactimentis>? this means you're the Documer Command Promat window isrt much to look at to begin with but directory. Now, create a new directory cal Batch Files Enter you can see the Microsoft Windows version number and copyright information followed by the prompt itself. The prompt detailsthe rent directory or folder you're in, together with your username. You need the quotations because without them, Windows two directories: Batch and Files. Now change directory intothe newly created Batch Files. ‘You won't need the quotes to change directories, wn peubleationscomFTISEM Now that you have the directory set up, where you store your batch files, here fs how you can create ‘one. Leave the command prompt window open and click on the Windows Start button again. This time enter Notepad and clck on the search result to open the Notepad program. Notepad isa simple text editor but deal for creating batch scripts with, To create your first batch file, enter the following into Notepad: Becho off echo ello World! By default, a batch fle displays all the commands that ituns| through, line by ine. What the @echo off command does is turn that Feature off forthe whole script; with the ‘@' (at sign to apply that command toitself FFE D when saving anything in Notepad the default extension st, to denate a textile. However, you want the extension to be bat. lick on File > Save As and navigate to the newly created Batch Files directory in Documents. Click the ‘drop-down menu Save as Type, and select All Files From the menu In File Name, cal the file Test.bat ( Getting Started with Batch Files Backat the conmand prompt window, ete SHS aiLE/W again to list the newly created Test.bat file, By the way, the fv parcoF cw meen the Fes aestec across the screen as opposed to straight down, Enter dif you wane (athough you need more Festoview) but iesconsdered easerto read wth the fg To execute the batch file you've just created, simply enteritsname, Test, inthe command prompt ‘window. You don't need to add the bat part, as Windows recognises itasan executable fe, and the only one with that particular name in the current directory. Press return and see how you're greeted with Hello World! in the command prompt. Fa iococcomrereoncponcresun Becho aff echo Hello World! echo This is ny fleet batch file echo. echo With a blank Line between! Remember to save each new change to the batch fle) Coding with Windows 10 Batch Files Getting an Output While it's great having the command prompt window display what you're putting after the echo command in the batch File, it’s not very useful at the moment, or interactive for that matter. Let's change up a gear and get some output. INPUT, OUTPUT Batch files are capable oft the equation. BEER ets keep things simple to begin with, Create anew batch file cated ‘drview.bat, short for Directory View. Start with the @echo off command and under that add dix “c:\users\YOURNAME\Documents\Hatch Files” > c:\users\YOURNAME\dirview. txt Substitute YOURNAME with your Windows username, ‘The new line uses the dic command to list the contents of the directory Batch Files, in your Home sry directory, dumping the output toa text Fle called diewiew.txt in the root of your Home directory. This is done, so thatthe Windows UAC doesn't require elevated permissions, as everything isin your ‘own Home area, Save and run the batch fle 19 a normal Windows command and executing it, while also ad 1g extra options and Flags in to ES TERE DD Youhaveno doubt noticed that there isn Indication that the batch file worked as there's rio meaningful output on the screen. However, if you now open Explorer and browse to 6: \User#\ YOURNAME, remembering to substitute YOURNAME with your Windows username, and double- click the diirview. txt file, you can see the batch file's output. IF you want to automate the task af opening the text ile that contains the output, add the Following Sr) line to the bateh file: notepad.exe €#\users\YOURNAME\Airview.txt ‘Save the file and once again un from the command prompt. This time, it creates the output and automaticaly opens Notepad with the output contentsOUTPUT WITH VARIABLES Variables offer a more interesting way of outputting something to the screen and create a higher level of interaction between the user and the batch file. Try this example below. following lines: Create anew batch file and call it name.bat. Start with the echo o££ command, then add the set /p name- What is your name? echo Hello, Snanet Note: there's a space after the question mark. This sto makeit look neater on the screen, Save it and run the batch file FETTER the set /p name creates avariable called name, with the /p part indicating that an ‘=prompt string’ is tofollow. The Set command displays, ets or removes system and environmental variables. For example, while in the command prompt window enter: ‘Toview the current system variables. Note the name= variable we just created, Variables stored with Set can be called with the S6VARIABLENAME% syntax In the batch file, we used the newly created Shname% syntax to call upon the contents of the variable called name. Your username, For example, stored as a variable. Try tis ina batch file echo Hello, WISERNAMEY. what are you doing? echo oft echo Hello, SUSERNAMES echo. .cho Thanks for logging in. Currently the network perating at 1008% efficiency echo Your Howe directory is located at ‘echo The computer nane you're logged in SCOMPUTERNAMES SHOMEPATHS Save and execute the batch file changes; you can ‘overwrite and still use name.bat if you want. The batch file takes the current system variables and reports therm ‘accordingly, depending on the user's login name and the name oF the computer. Note: the double percent symbol means the percent sign willbe displayed, and isnot a variable. Becho off Altematively, ou can run the batch ile and display icon the user's desktop as atext fle: 10 Hello, SUSERNANES. > ¢:SHOMEPATH®\user.txt >> c:SHOMEPATHS\user.txt echo Thanks for logging in. Currently the network is operating at 1008% efficiency. >> e:SHOMEPATHS\, echo. >> ¢:#HOMEPATHE\User. txt echo Your Hone directory if located at? $HOMEPATHE >> cr SHOMEPATH\u echo The computer name you're logged in to is SCOMPUTERNAMES >> c:SHOMEPATHS \user. txt >> crSHOMEPATHS\user.txt eer.tx ‘echo. notepad ¢#SHOMEPATHS\user.txt The > outputs to a new file called user.txt, while the >> adds the lines within the fileCoding with Windows 10 Batch Files Playing with Variables USING MORE VARIABLES Here's a good example of mixing system and environmental variables with some of your own creation, along with @ number of external Windows commands. cenconevbacfiealetaiatonsintat RRB now cx ata ett ds hens SP il with the Becho eff command. Begin by clearing SHEP) of any directory and post it as a text file to the user's wemrond ersisceerentSaruGNTiarthe covert scteen,the aleuny athe Deter Me snectreson he computer 1 echo From the list, which folder would you Like t pel ot /p view= (enter \folder) och dir “tviews" > view.txt notepad.exe view.txt FETTER ove and execute the batch file. within the BSED What's happening here isthe batch ile asks the user ‘command prompt you can see the contents of all to-enter any ofthe directories displayed in the lst it the files and directories from the root ofthe C:\ drive; and asany _generated, in the Form of ‘¢\directory. Providing the user enters a user under Windows has permission to see this, there's no UAC valid directory, its contents are displayed asa textile, We created elevated privileges required, the view variable here along with %SHOMEPATH%, to store the input and the text file, wn peubleationscomtext files cluttering up the file system. That being the case, let's ear up with: del /9 wiew.txt del /Q list.txt echo All files deleted. syatem clean. the files without any user input or notification. The Final message. informs the user that the Files are removed Depending on how your systemis configured, you may not get any found. txt notepad.exe found.txt ela JPG for example) echo Please enter the type of file you want to search for (MP3, DOC, JPG for example) ‘echo. colar i del /9 found. txt BPE the new commandin this instance is color PEP D Arothernew command, where, looks fora spectic ((mericansed spelling). Color, as you already file or directory based on the user's requirements. ‘assume, changes the colour ofthe command prompt dsplay. The _Inthis case, we have created a blank variable called ext that the user «olor attributes are spectied by two hex digits, the frst corresponds can enter the'file type in, which then searches using Where and to the background colour of the Command console and the second dumps he resultsina text file called Founditxt. Save and run the to the Foreground, and can be any ofthe Following values: batch File 0 = Black Blue Green 3=Aqua B=Light Aqua 4=Red C= Light Red Purple D-=Light Purple 6=Yellow E = Light Yellow 7=White —F = Bright WhiteBatch File Programming ea CHOICE MENUS Creating a menu of choices is a classic batch file use and a good example to help expand your batch file programming skills. Here's some code to help you understand how it all works FERED ther than using a verableto process a user's PREP érvoctevels are essentaly variables ad the /M ‘command in conjunction with an ErrorLevel parameter tommakea _to’be displayed. Extend this menu with something new menu, Create anew File called menulbat and enter the Following: Becho oft Becho off ela cls echo. choice / “po you want to continue? Y/N" echo if errorlevel 2 goto N ‘echo. Af errorlevel 1 goto ¥ ‘echo Please choose a directory goto End: echo. echo Press 1 for e:\Music ; echo. ‘echo Pre: 2 for c#\Docunents echo. echo Press 3 for c:\Pictures fecha, echo Press 4 for ¢:\videos echo. echo FETTER erring the code produces anerror aswe've called choice /C 1234 ‘Goto command without any reference toitinthe if errorlevel 4/qote Videos file, Goto does exactly that, goes toa specficline inthe batchfile. if errarlevel 3 goto Pictures Finish the File wit the Following and run it again: Af errorlevel 2 goto Documents : Af errorlevel 1 goto Music oe = foo aaa nee ‘echo You chose No. Goodbye. BE TeeED Now add the Goto sections: ‘goto End w videos echo. ele echo You chose Yes. Hello CD SHOMEPATHE\Videos echo You are now in the Videos directory — goto End Pictures cls cD SHOMEPATHE\Pictures ‘echo You are now in the Pictures directory ‘goto End Documents ele (CD SHOMEPATH® Documents FR ic otnitenyox dee caret depen on whether you pick V or N. The:End part simplysignifies $969 Ent the end ofthe fle(alsoknown as EOF). Withoutitthe batchfleruns Muse through each ine and display the V response evenifyouenterN;soit’s cls important to remember to Follow your Gato commands. cD SHOMEPATH®\Masie echo you are now in the Music dixectory = goto End End PETES When executed, the batch fle dsplaysa menu and with, each choice the code changes directoryto the one the user entered, The %eHOMEPATH® system variable wil enter the currently logged in user's Musi Pictures and so directories, and not aryone else'sCoding with Windows 10 Batch Files Loops and Repetition COUNTERS Creating code that counts in increasing or decreasing number sets is great for demonstrating loops. With that in mind, let's look at the IF statement alittle more, alongside more variables, and introduce the Else, Timeout and eof (End of File) commands. ESSERE Start by creating a new batch file called count bat. Enter the following, save it an Becho off meout /T 1 /nobreak > nul starts at numb nts, scrolling screen, until it reaches 100, The Timeout command leaves a one second gap between numbersand the Else statement continues untilthe counter variable wn peubleationscom 00 (goto re0f) else (¢ PEPTSED The countbatis a rough way Ty this example instead for /1s $n in (1,1,99) Breaking it down, there's. For, then the /Lswiteh, which handles a range of numbers. Then the: labelled as % the statement howto: asin 1 (start number), 1 steps totake),99 (the end number) he next partis do, meaning whatever command is afte ‘of demonstrating a coach would be to use afr loop.You can include the pause between the numbers easily enough within the Far simpler Forloop by ‘adding multiple commands after the Do For loop. The brackets and ‘ampersand (8) separate the different commands. Try this: Becho of for /1 88m in (1,1,99) do. (echo Ynobreak > nul) S8n & timeou ya (One ofthe great time saving uses of batch filesis to create multiple, numbered files. Assume that you ty five text files within a directory, all numbered from 1 to 25.A.For loop much like the previous example does the trick: want tw Becho of for /L 88m in (1,1,25) do copy nul ¥en.txt FETTER) (0 open windows Explorer, and navigate tothe Batch Files drectary where you're working fram, you can now see 25 text files all neatly numbered, OF course, you append the File name with something lke user.txt and soon by altering the code to Becho off for /L ¥¥n in (1,1,25) do copy nul Users¥n.txt There are different ways of using the For loop. Ia SHS this example, the code creates 26 directories, one for each letter of the alphabet, within the directory c\test which the batch Fle makes using the MD command: 8 o off OR 8BF IN (a,b, 6,40, Bytes V/ V2) 1G LF ke Lym 0, 0,7, aye, Do (md C#\test\ $F) Loops can be powerful and extremely useful elementsina batch file, While creating 26 may not sound too helpful, imagine having to create 7,000 users on a network and assign each one their own set of unique directories, Tis is where a batch file saves an immense amount of tr Should you eve get stuckwhen ug the vaous SED mmands within a batch file, drop into the command prompt nd enter the command flowed 2 question toch Fc ec fr 6° Boa as ome a Getaiig te arena se 0 war ening, eT a et ‘or /? > forhelp. txCoding with Windows 10 Batch Files Creating a Batch File Game Based on what you've looked at Pei com ite nt Prey) Veco at Reb lee) simple text adventure or multiple- choice game. Here's one that we fers le teu R ei el Me Sint nce ele Ulu Reels Make up your own questions but how about also including an introductory or loading screen? Make your loading screen in aseparate batch file and saveitas screens bat (for example). Then, from the main game batch Fie, you can load atthe beginning ofthe file ‘with the ‘call’ command followed by colour to reset the game's colours: echo off cis set /a score=o set /a questions0 cls set /p nane= What is your name? wn peubleationscom echo off cle cstart set /a scoren set /a question=0 cls fet /p name What is your name? echo, echo, Wetat#nenunannseasannanatannenannannannsnnnannanasen echo. echo Press 1 to get started echo. fecho Press 2 for instructions echo. echo Press @ to quit echo. choice /c 120 if errorlevel 2 goto Instructions Af errorlevel 1 goto Game “Instructions echo. Wetstennannainsannannavanensanannanis, echo. ‘echo The instructions are simple. Answer the questions correctly. echo. Wetetennansainsensenavanentanannaniey pause cls goto menu act /a question=tquestiont+1 cls Sf tquestion’ ==5 (goto end) ol question tquestiont) (echo you are on echo get ready for the question. echo. ‘timeout /T 5 /nobreak > nal (goto end) Sf tquestiont (goto *questiont) a als echo. echo *echo Your current score is tscoret echo. ocho eteseeneuntwastnseesewaten echo, echo. echo Question tquestiont. echo. ‘echo Which of the following version of Windows is the best? echo. echo A. Rindows 10 echo. fecho B. Windows ME echo, echo C. Windows Vista echo. choice /c abe Lf errorlevel 3 goto wrong Af errorlevel 2 goto wrong Af errorlevel 1 goto correct 2 als echo, ocho. Weteseunsunteasenseesewaten echo. echo Your current score is tecoret echo. cho wetentnesensenenetentenatnnten echo. echo. echo Question tquestiont. echo. fecho Which of the following version of Windows is the most stable? echo, fecho A. Windows 10 echo. fecho B. Windows 95 echo. echo C. Windows ME echo. choice /¢ abe Af errorlevel 3 goto wrong Af errorlevel 2 goto wrong Af errorlevel 1 goto correct 3 cls echo, cho. seveseeeanesneseetavessesnense echo. fecho Your current score is tscoret echo. ocho. etestensutwasensnesewaten echo. echo. fecho Question tquestiont. echo. ‘echo Which of the following Windows version is the latest? echo. echo A. Windows 10 echo. echo B. Windows 98 echo, echo C. Windows 7 echo. choice /¢ abe Af errorlevel 3 goto wrong Af errorlevel 2 goto wrong Af errorlevel 1 goto correct 4 els echo. SST echo. echo Your current score is t2coret echo. cho Wtstenteunstaatansnnenaeenten echo. echo. ‘echo Question Squestiont. echo. echo Which of the following Windows uses DirectX 127 echo. fecho A. Windows 10 ‘echo. echo B. Windows 3.12 echo. echo C. Windows x2 ‘echo. choice /¢ abe Af errorlevel 3 goto wrong Af errorlevel 2 goto wrong Af errorlevel 1 goto correct ‘rong cle echo sererastevesseseey echo. fecho WRONG!!! ‘echo. Scho. Veeesaneavennetnes, set /a scorentscoret-1 pause goto :gane reorrect cle echo verersetevessesesy echo. ‘echo CORRECT. YIPEEM! ‘echo. fecho.seresastavenseseey set /a scorestscoreti ‘echo Sacoret echo. echo. Wetatenawsannseneennanaseananen choice /M “play again? ¥/N" if errorlevel 2 goto :eof Af errorlevel 1 goto start (Creating a Batch File Game EaRR tT a in | err] Th mB ty tL a | la Ugeens a 7 " Tee Nee cect Peer Cea eet Ceci Creme aces a Cue Pure Rae CAUCE eles SO ae Cute ee available on Linux, as they are on Windows Ene eae ek eee tare) Oe erin Bash scripting on Linux can be used to create ERR ee eels rea ae a an background based on a pre-defined schedule. See cece’ ue RA eC Rae eo Peace a eRca ntact EO DeLee Pee aa 23 Coding on Linux Why Linux? FREE AND OPEN Linux isa Fantastic Fit For those who want something different; the efficiency of the system, the availability of applications and its stability, are just afew reasons why. ‘The firs thing we need to address isthat there is no basic operating system called Linux, Fundamentally, Linux the operating systern keanel, the core component ofan OS. When talking abovt Linux we are in Fact, referring to one of the mary distributions ordistros, that use the Linux kemel. No doubt youve heard of at least one of the current popular distros: Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, openSUSE, Debian, Raspbian... the lit goes on. Each one ofthese distros offers the user something alittle different. While each has the Linux kernelat itscore, they offer a different looking desktop environment, different pre-loaded applications different waysin which to update the system {and get more apps installed and a slighty ciferent look and Feel throughout the entre system. However, atthe centre les Linux, which iswhy we say, Linux. A Linuxis a great operating system in which to start coding, ees tates Linux works very afferently to Windows or macOS. Fora start t's Free to download, free to install on as many computers as you tke, Free to use for an unlimited amount of time and free to upgrade ‘and extend with equally free programs and applications. This Free to use element is one ofthe biagest draws for the developer. while a ‘Windows icense can cost up to £100 and a Mac considerably more, ‘a.user, be they a developer, gamer, or someone who wants to put an ‘older computer to use, can quickly download a distro and get to work in a matter of minutes, ‘Alongside the free to use aspect comes level of freedom to customise ‘and mould the system to your own uses. Each of the distros avalable on the Internet have acertain'spin, some offer increased secu, a Fancylooking desktop, a gaming speaic spin or something directed toward students. Ths extensibility makes Linuxa more desirable platform to Use, 5 you can quickly mould the system into development base, including many different kinds of IDEs for use with Python, web development, C+, Java and so on, or evena base for online anonymity, perhaps asa Minecrafe server, media centre and much more. ‘Another remarkable advantage for those looking to learn how to code isthat Linux comes with most ofthe popular coding environments builtin. Both Python and C+ are preinstalled in ahigh percentage of Linux dlstros, which means you can stat to program almast as soon as {yu install the system and boot it up forthe First time, Generally speaking, Linux doesn't take up as many system resources ‘as Windows or macOS, (by system resources, we mean memory, hard drive space and CPU load), asthe Linux code has been streamlined and is free from thirc-party ‘bloatware’, which hogs, those systems resources. A more efficient system, means more available resources forthe coding and testing environment and the programs you will eventually create. Less resource use also means You can use Linuxon older hardware that would normally struggle, ‘or even refuse to run, the latest versions of Windows or macOS, A There are thousands of free packages A) avaiable for programmers under Linux. Why Linux? &jpg &, @ suse ty slack Cetin = "Mandriva ee CentOS A Each distro offers something unique to the £2 user but all have Linux atthe core. ‘so rather than throwing away an old computer, itcan be reused with aLinuxdistro. However t'snot all about C++, Python, or any ofthe other more popular programming languages. Using the command tne of Linux {also called the Terminal), you're abl to create Shell scripts which are programs made up of scripting languages and designed to run from the commandline. They are used mainly to automate tasks, or offer the User some form of input and output fora certain operation There are many more advantages we could lst, For example, there {are thousands and thousands of free programs nd apps available that cover practically every aspect oF computing. Known as packages, there ae (atthe time of writing) over 8,700 speatic programming ‘applications on Linux Mint alone and an incredible 62,000+ overall packages, catering from Amateur Radio to WWW tools In conclusion, Linuxisa great resource and enviconmentinwhich topprograr. t's perfectly suited for developers, while continually improving and evalvng, I you're serious about getting into ceding, or Yyoujust want to explore something new, then ive Linux a tyand see how it works Foryou. Linux programming environment can be Jy Seeman.The Best Linux Distributions ea et a ee eee ee eet Re ee ee ee ee ee eee rnc) popular distro, Ubuntu. although based on Ubuntu’s Long Term suits you and your computer best. ‘Support build, Linux Mint took a different direction to offer the one Peeters * Linux Mint has three main desktop versions available with each new version of the care OSit releases. This may sound confusing atfirst, but it’s quite simple. Currently, Linux Mint uses the Cee atten ee eet Oe eens Cinnamon isa graphically rch desktop environment, while MATE uses less Fancy graphics but is more stable on a wider variety oF desktop systems and finaly Xfce isan extremely streamlined desktop environment thats built for speed and ultimate stability. eee eo Lenten eon ce ccna ae ore ‘The second most popular distro available Ubuntu: an ancient ee erate eee ety has luctuated over its Fourteen-year life. At one time, it was easily the most used, Linux-based operating system inthe world, sadly, some wrong choices along the way with regards toits presentation, along with some unfavourable and ee eet ad oes Pre eect toinstallit on an older computer) De ee its way back up the Linuxleader board. The latest versions of Ubuntu, for alits Faults, isa good Linux distro to start Pete St er ee ee eee Brie eeu ee ens cag tee en es cd ereoe ‘arch is one of the longest running Linux distributions and ee ree eae ny Geet ew eee an ey Pree et one eee tte) cr ee eet uC ee! Ce a eis Cee eee ts Eee te eee ns Cee eae oe eat CeO eae aces You start with nothing more than the command tine and from there: you manually partition your hard drive, set where the installation files will go, create a user, set the OS locale and installa desktop environment, along with the apps you want. The advantage, forall this hard work, sa distro that you've ee ea ae el eee Ce eee fener eu cea ho eC eae kate) ee eee cre eae neces poeta e has “Meanwhile, openSUSE attempts to cover both bases. Crete eee es eet ay bya community, along with SUSE employees. They develop an enterprise Level operating system: SUSE, which powers the ec ae es) eee Sec ee For instability IFyou Find allthat too sensible, openSUSE ee eee ed er) concerns ‘penSUSEisa highly respected Linux distribution and many ofits core contributors work on the Linux Kernel, LibreOffice, Cee ai eee eis eae Peete Regs Sede ese Renee Cae cnc) Preece ees ‘There are several aspects to the Ce a eed Peer g ear) Renee) emer om ey fully working computer. I's small, Ce aCe Sereno et eee terre eee ees cee at ue eee) ‘operating system that includes an office suite alongside many Ce eed Peete Ceca) eee tots) Peeuneeanecras However, the Raspberry Pi Foundation eer raed acts Cae tal Pee ere eer Cee ee et ee eas Pe ereetc na tc ee esas Linux experience, then this is definitely one of the top distros PensSJ) Codingontinux ) Equipment You Will Need MINTY INGREDIENTS Here's what you'll need to install and run Linux Mint as we work through this book. You have several choices available, so take your time and see which works best For you. “The minimum system requirements For Linux Mint are as Follows: cpu TOOMHz RAM 512MB Hard Drive Space 9GB (2068 recommended) Monitor 1024x768 resolution Obviously the better the system you have, the betterand quicker} the experience wil be. You can instal Linux Mint onto your computer via USB or DVD. Wellllookinto each a ite later on, but if you're already familar with the process (or you'e thinking of USB and ust ‘gathering the hardware you'll need), then you're going to eed a minimum 4GB USB Fash drivejstick to contain the _wvnepeubleationscomDVD installation of Linux Mint simply requires a lank DVD-R disc. OF course, you'll also need an optical drive (a DVD Writer drive) before you're able to transfer, or burn the ISO image to thedisc Installation to a virtual environment is a favourite method of testing and using Linux distros. Linux Mint works exceedingly Well when used ina vital environment, more on that later. There are many different virtual environment apps available, however VirtualBox, from Oracle, is one ofthe easiest. You can getthe latest version From www.virtualbox.org ¥ VirtualBox Equipment You Will Need It goes without saying, that an internet connection is vital For ‘making sure that Linux Mint is resourced with the latest Updates and patches, as well asthe installation of further software. Although you dont need an internet connection to Use Linux Mint, you'll miss out on a world of free software available forthe distro. Although Linux Mint can be installed onto a Mac, there's a school of thought that recommends Mac owners use a virtual environment, such as VirtualBox or Parallels, and why not, ‘macOS is already a splendid operating system. IF you're looking to breathe newilife into an older Mac, make sure it'san Intel (CPU model and not the Power-PC models. However, be aware, Ik'snotas pain free as installing on toa PC. _wonpelpbleationscomCreating a Linux Installer on Windows You need to transfer the downloaded Linux ISO to either a DVD or a USB key before BVT Ke Mare) Ua co Reo eM RZ OLN Uke UL RANT ELC ole oy test the OS prior to installation, but First you need to create the bootable media. DVD BOOTABLE MEDIA We're using a Windows 10 PC here to transfer the ISO to a DVD. As tong as you're using a version of Windows from 7 onward, the process is extremely easy. Firstlocate the ISO image of Linuxyou've already HED Righttick the Linux SO and from the menu select SHEP downloaded. In Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 computers, SEP Burn Disc Image, Depending on the speed of the PC, you'l usually Find this in the Downloads Folder unless, when saving it may take afew seconds before anything happens. Don't worry too it, you've specified a different location much, unlessittakes more than a minute, in which case it might be ‘worth restarting your PC and trying again, With Luc, the Windows Name Disc image Sumner should launch He Quick access liuamint-12.1-canamon- tit =F Dropbox Team BOM) Mount Burn disc image orev Disc [GZ Scan with Windows Defender... 2 Share © coine ey Haste 2 sh Open with Newer $B Open with WinkAR BB Add to archive. Net sere recordable VD dc nto your EEEgD ie eyircore osc sure dann SHA computer's optical drive. After a few seconds, while SHES ‘open, click on the Verify disc after burning’ tick thedclsreaa vindovs wil pay popup message ang you bo, followed by the Bum btn. The process shoul tate afew what dowith the ney nsertedse anor thsesweregang mines depending onthe pee of your PCs optial ve. Once tose thebuitin mage bring funn Wscomplte, lun trough he version stage and when dee, the pial dive shoul autoeetthe ds Fryou et)Creating a Linux Installer on Windows Ea USB BOOTABLE MEDIA USB media is Faster than a DVD and it’s often more convenient as most modern PCs don't have an optical drive installed. The process of transferring the imagi yaaa = uaa Drive Properties Fistopenupaweb | ee - browserandgoto | an hetps://rufus.akeo. “wt IR ag aa ¥ @ | ser lepsscoldovnthe | tm a pagealitieandyou! | ME sew come to a Download — heading, under which | Fomat Options youlseethelatest, version of Rufus = — Left-clickon the linkto | S™=es#t ~ Saupe | start the download. iiereemenintne a a ooze Ss a Pee fs Drive Propetes Double-click the owe dounioaded Rufus | AERIS 4 executable;youcan ‘Saami =] aur dick Yes tothe ees eS Windows security i = itn = question and"Yes_ =< Besitsnrn to checking for Format options updates. With Rufus eee launched it should sass a have already dented "eb : fo youirserted USB | ~ Sentient ee flash drive (Fo, just Status remove nd reine). = oorn ee FRTEGEDD At first olance the Rufus interface can look litle confusing, don't worry though, i’ really quite simple. To begin with, click on the SELECT button next to the ‘Disk ‘ISO Image (Please select’ pull-down menu. This will launch 2 Windows Explorer window from where you can locate and select the Linux SO. {___ ‘easy, but you'll need a third-party app first and a USB Flash drive of 4GB or more. When you're ready clkon the Start button at oud the bottom of the Rufus app. This may open up another daogue box asking yout donrlead an se 3 ne version oF Stu Sysinoxisa selection of boot loaders used to awa modem PCto acess andboot rom a USB fash ve Es necessary, sof asked, cckon ves to continue. “Thisimage uses Sysinut 603/20151222 but this application only Includes the installation fies for Sysnue 603/201 1006. ‘As new versions of Ssinuxare not compatible with one anther, adit ‘rouldnt be posible for Ruf to include ther lo ations fer ‘must be downloaded fom the nteme (Idinuxsy and Idi Select "Verto connect to thelntrnet and download thee fer * Slet Moto cancel the operation ‘Note:The file wl be donnloaded inthe corer applistion directory snd wi be reed automatialy # presen, “The next step asks in which image mode do you ‘want the Linux IO to be written to the USB Rash rive. Bath methods wark for different situations, but generally, the recommended ISO Image Mode i the more popular. Make sure this mode is preselected and click Ok’ to continue, Followed by ‘Ox’ ‘again to confirm the action, ‘The mage you haveseeted a 1SOHyriimage Tis means canbe irate therin Sige ie copy made oO Image (askmage mode Fos recommen ang 80 mage mose so that You sans Rave fu ‘ccesrtothe ove ser eting| Henever you encour sues uring bet you any wating this image Spann 00 Image made (© ween SO image mode (Recommended) ‘Oiten 0 mage made pa : SUPE Drive Properties, TretnuxSOisnow nee being transferred to = neal Ch LS © Ca pecesswoudittae tomo ae too long, depending on hae =| a = the speed of the USB = Seremesiens nets evceandtre Pe Duing fmat none eproces journey the | Sareea Rfteviloucoperthe sar == USB drive in Windows: sal = seshen tao = Explorer, don't worry you~ Serstettewstortons ‘can minimise or close it Sanam youve Cet onthe = Gaetano @ oa wo process is complete. cose ==4 Coding on Linux Installing Linux on a PC UEFI BIOS ‘The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is used to identify hardware and protect a PC during its boot-up process. It replaces the traditional BIOS, but can cause issues when installing Linux. inser your DVD or USB Fl vent your Par SP il iF you haven't already, shutdown Windows. In this instance we'e ug the USB boot media but the process tually ident Star the Pc and when promoted ress the approorite keto enter the 6103 o SETUP hese cou be, for example, 2, Delorevene42 FETISED There are different versions ofa UEFI BIOS, so covering them all would be impossible. What you're looking for is @ section that detallsthe Boot Sequence or Boot Mode. Here you'll have the option to tum of UEFl and choose Legacy, or cisable Secure Booting. Most distros work with UEF but itcan bea tricky process to enable itto boot. gacy mode, there are now wth UEI tured to SUS two ways of booting into the Live Environment. The festisvia the 10S you aeadyin Locate he Boot Sequence and change the fist bot device from is argal setting, ly Intra HDD osm to USB storage Device forte USB eda options or BVD Driver theov eek nnn eee eat ed peenrsnesy treats poner poaeree FTP ternatively use the Boot Option Menu. With this ‘option, you can press F12 (or sornething similar) todisplay alist of boot media options; from there, you can choose the appropriate boot media Either way, you can now Save and Exit the BIOS by navigating to the Save & Exit option and choosing Save Changes and Exit. Network boot from AMD fer?9C370A “Hard Drive +Renovable Devices Netuork boot from AMD Aev?9C370A #2 (_ Installing Linux ona PC Eee INSTALLING LINUX (Once the Live Environment has booted, you will see the option to install the distro to your computer. Have a look around and when you're ready, look for the Install option on the desktop. course, but the processis the sae. Click Continue wien you'reready. Linux Mint, click Continue. IF you need to back up your files remove the Linux disc/USB, reboot, back up and start again. FED wiitetheinstaliationprocessis very similaracioss — RAFEB) eventually you willbe asked to set up your Linux ‘most Linux distros, some offer different questions username and password. Enter your Name to begin ng the installation. Generally, the questions aren'ttoo difficult, or with, then Computer Name which isthe name used to identify technical, but some such as ‘installing third partysoftware...canbe it on the network. Next, choose a Username, followed by a good confusing In this case, you can click Continue, but ifyou're unsure, Password. You can tick the Login Automatically option, but leave have an Internet-connected device available to ask any questions. _the Encrypt Home Folder option for now, FED when installing anew operating system it's FETTER The installation process can recommended that you wipe the old OS, replacing It bbe more questions to answer, or it may simply start with the new. When you reach this stage ofthe installation process, installing Linux based on your previous answers. Either way, you will ensure the ‘Erase disk and install Linux. options selected, NOTE: end up being asked to Continue Testing the Live Environment, oF This wll completely wipe Windows 10 from your computer; make Restarting to use the newly installed OS. IF you're ready to use Linux, sure you have backups of all your personal files and data. then click Restart Now. wvmwpegubiationscamwh ) Coding on Linux Installing a Virtual Environment GOING VIRTUAL Using a Virtual Machine (VM) will take resources from your computer: memory, hard drive space, processor usage and so on. So make sure you've got enough of each before commencing. PEED Were using vitualBox inthis instance, asit'soneot RIM with the correct packages downloaded, before the easiest virtual environments to get to grips with. we install anything, we need to make sure that the Enter www.virtualbox.org and clickon ‘Download VirtualBox’. This computer you're using is able to host a VM. To do this, reboot the wil take you ta the main download page. Locate the correct hast. computer and enter the BIOS. As the computer starts up, press the For your system: Windaws or Mac the Host isthe currentinstalled Del, F2, or whichever key is necessary to Enter Setup. operating system and click the link to begin the download. ‘| Virtua ualBo) = : Downk Wiis FED Nex. whilestilatthe VitualBoxdownload page, — EPR seach siosislaid out cifferentl, i's very diff locate the VirtualBox Extension Pack lnk, The to assess where to look in each personal example. Extension Pack supports USB devices, aswell asnumerous other However, as @ general rule of thumi, you're looking for intel ras that can help make the VMenviranmenta more accurate _Virtualisation Technology, or simply Virtualisation, usualy within emulation ofa ‘eal’ computer. the Advanced section ofthe BIOS. When you've located it, Enable it, save the settings, ext the BIOS and reboot the computer.y (installing a Virtual Environment ea with the computer back up and running, locate the downloaded main VirtualBox application and double-click to begin the installation process. Click Next to continue, when you're ready, HB cxace vt vinualbo 6.1.16 Setup “ Welcome to the Oracle VM VirtualBox 6.1.16 Setup Save, and ext back tothe Terminal. Entering Ls, will reveal the run, you need to modify its permissions. Do thiswith chmod +x helloworld. sh. You need to do this with every script you create fle Eat View Sevech Terminal Help ( Creating Bash Scripts-Part1 Epes When you enter 1 again, ou can see that the helloworld.sh script has now turned from being white to green, meaning that it's now an executable File. To run the script, in other words make it do the things you've typed into it, center: hel loworld. sh. Fle E§t view Search Terminal Help faery ‘Although it's not terribly exciting, the words Hello ‘World! should now be displayed in the Terminal ‘The echo commands responsible for outputting the words after it in the Terminal, as we move on you can make the echo command ‘output to other sources. Fle E6t View Search Toole Documents Help Doainv~|xonjag A *relonrsh #1 /bin/ash Jecho Hello World! This is my first script im Linux Mi ‘Think of echo as the old BASIC Print command, I isplays either text, numbers or any variables that ‘are stored inthe system, such asthe current system date, Try this example:echo Hello World! Today is $ (date +A). The S{date +A) is calling the system variable that stores the current day of the week. wvmwpegubiationscam4b Coding on Linux Creating Bash Scripts —Part 2 VARIABLES Just as in every other programming language a Bash script can store and call certain variables from the system, either generic or user created. PRPTIE DD ets start by creating anew script called hello sh; xed hello.sh. Initenter: #1/bin/bagh, then, echo tie lo’ $1. Save the file and exit Xed. Back n the Terminal make the script executable with: chmod x hello.sh, Fest Vow Seach Temi Hep fi tk ew Search Too Documents Hp poai-~|xoojag PEPER) the cutautnow willbe Hello David. This is because Bash automaticaly assigns variables for the user, which are then held and passed to the script. So the variable ‘$1’ now holds David. You can change the variable by entering something different: ./hello.sh Mint file Edie View Search Terminal Help roy coed FETTSPD Asthe script is now executable, run itwith ¥/ hel 1o.sh. Now, 35 you probably expected a simple Hello is displayedin the Terminal, However, if you then issue the command with a variable it begins to get interesting. For example, try /netie.sh Fle Edt View Search Terminal Help _wvnepeubleationscom Youcan even rename variables. Mody the hello SHES sh script with the following: firstname=$1, surnane=$2, echo Hello sfirstnane.3surnane Pung tachstatementon anew ine, Save thesrtand ex backinto the Terminal Fle €6t View Search Too Docuners Help poalev|xonjag 1/bin/bash fecho Hello Sfirstnane $surnaneBETIS When you run the script now you can use two custom variables: . hello.8h David Hayward. Naturally change the two variables with your own name; unless you're also called David Hayward. tthe moment we're just printing the contents, so lets expand the twowariable use a litle. ( Creating Bash Scripts-Part2 Eps Let's expand things Further Create anew script called greetings -sh. Enter the scripting as below inthe screenshot, save itand make itexecutable with the chinod ‘command. You can see that there are afew new additions to the scriptnow. Fle Edt View Search Terminal Help rT Hello David Hayward rote Patewenea rts Create anew scriptcaled addition. 8h, using the same Format as the hello sh script, but ‘changing the variable names. Here we've added firstrumber and Secondnunber, and used the echo command to output some simple arithmetic by placing an integer expression, echo The “sum ccondinumber) ). Save the script, and ion. eh) is $((Slirstnunbert$: makeit executable (chmod +x addi Fle Edt View Seorch Tools Oocumens Help aoa xoojag x sdstoneh FRPP RD When you now runthe adsltion.sh script we can enter two numbers: ./addition.sh 1 2.The result will hopefully be 3, with the Terminal displaying The sum is 3. Try itwith a few different numbers and see what happens. See also iF you can alter the script and rename it do multiplication, ‘and subtraction, St View Search Terminal Help Fle Edt View Search Took Documents Help poajn~|xoojag im eens sh #1 /bin/bash We've added a =n to the echo command here which wil eave the cursor onthe same line as the ‘question instead oF a new line. The read command stores the users'input as the variables Firstname and surname, to then read back laterin the last echo tne. And the clear command clears the screen. Fle Edt View Search Terminal Help FSETD 42 Final addition e's include the date variable ‘we usedin the last section. Amend the lat line ofthe scriptto read: echo Hello Sfirstnane Seurnane, are you on this fine $(date +8A) 2. The output should splay the current day of the week, calling it Froma system variable. Fle Edt View Search Tools Documents Help ao on ag Bu peengesh x cho /dev/nult ) at UL on “soutput™ 1 then cha outputFETED when executed the script waits For input fromthe User, n this case the file extension, such as joa, ‘mp4 and so on t's not very Friendly though, Let's make i a tle friendlier. Add an echo, with: echo =n “Please enter the of the file * just SEES: Here's an interesting, fun kindof script using the app espeak. Install espeak with sudo apt=aer install eapeak, then enter the text below into 8 new script called ‘speak. sh. Asyou can see it's a rehash ofthe first greeting script weran. Only this time, ituses the variables in the espeak output \We briefly loked at putting some coloursin the output for our scripts. Whilst its too long to gig @ little deeper into the colour options, here's a script that outputs what's avaiable. Create a new script called colours. sh and enter elo) nto i Creating Bash Scripts—Part 5 (pd FETED The output from colourssh can, of course, be mixed together, ringing ifferent effects jepending on what you want to the output to say. Far example, white text ina red background Flashing (or blinking). Sadly the blinking effect doesn’t work on all Terminals, so you may need to change toa different Terminal. Re ae Paraareaiereany Pan Whilst we're on making fancy scripts, how about Using Zenity to output 3 graphical interface? what you see below into a new script, menu. sh, Make it scutable and then runit. You should have a couple of dialog boxes appear, followed by a final message. Sr) 5 While gaming in a Bash script isn’t something that's often touched upon, itis entirely possible albet,alitle basic. Movement-based games are ciffuct, and ‘sometimes bugay, however a good text adventure, or Fighting Fantasy type game isa perfect choice For gaming in the Terminal, aive it ago, and let us know how you get on. wvmwpegubiationscamCoding on Linux Command Line Quick Reference TOP 10 COMMANDS, These may not be the most common commands used by everyone but they will Linux and the command line ‘The ex command is one ofthe commands you Luse the most atthe command line in Linux. It allows you to change your working director seit to move around within the hierar fle system. You can also use chai ‘of your ertainly Feature Frequently For many users of w command moves afileto a different location or enamesa file. For example mv file nb renames the orginal file to sub Desktop moves the file'sub'to your desktop icectory but does not rename it. You musts lename to rename aie, The you the filesin your current directory, Used with certain options it ets you see file sizes, when files where created and file ermissions. For example, 1s = shows you the files that are in your home directory. command sho sown command chan ser and/ ‘or group ownership of each given fie. IFonly an user ID) isi uner of each given file, and \anged. ‘owner (a user name or numer that useris made the the files’ group isnot hep command is used to make copies of files and directories. For example, ep ab makes an exact copy of the file whose name you entered and namesthe copy sub but the First ile wil stil exist with is original name, ‘The pura command prints the Full pathname he current working directory (pwd stands For ‘print working directory"). Nate that the GNOME terminal also displays this information in the title bar of ts window. he changes the permissions on the files listed. Permissions are based ona fairly simple madel. You can set permissions For user ‘group and world and you can set whether each can varite a te th able by removing files increases the amount ‘and marks that space as other wor of avalabl sture writes In The clear command clears your screen if this is possible. It looks in the environment for the terminal type and then inthe terminfo database to figure out how ta clear the screen, This is equivalent to typing ControbL when using the bash shell rectory’, mkdir is used to ies ona filesystem, iFthe specified directory does not already exist. For example, rk creates a work directory, More than ry may be specified when calling mkdir. _wvnepeubleationscomRE Merete) USEFUL HELP/INFO COMMANDS. Rn Tureen rena RoI uC eu g program you are working with in Linux. You might not need them every day, but when you do, they will be invaluable. The FEES command displays the total amount pre hee een as eda ce hei’ ee os eee oeares ere ee erm tennant seed recess! Bs ore ee emt view oF a running system. can display eu ue ees ie The MNES command with the fH option prints Pema tre Peete ering Die = one Ee Se es eee ee eee eae different but all o the same thing, Borer ee une eee ee Renae Ue cL cee eee Cee ge eat as transformations on an input stream: a file orinput from a pipeline Ditacduse eee eerie Be (ii coo: ou ee eey Perret eens Bcc ue rer ieee Meare Sree eee era) home directory, you need to ade the SES Promelaied The EESTERIMY command removes a group from Ceram are tc srd primary group of any users. The TEENEER command brings up the manual Cm cua nn eaascd Perego ‘The SERWEDRES command is especially useful. Derren etna gets ima e nau Serie EaoLes a rae Pe Ale oe A ee ai pee nd seat pono ene ae aL i Peewee ae ee [lS P| os fe 1 a rt Pyne eae Yi anor C ae DRoORe 12) et] fe 5 pe i ja. pee at a OL be 2.0 PERE EA F bh bo uu 2o 1 E a eet ih Ez lay 1 a Pel ite yt DL jell ey Pha T PM TA oe cre Pn eet i Eafe PS Code Projects and Ideas SOON atom nine Et coder, we've included some great coding projects Pacer ee are Pee eee code, or improve and send out into the coding COSA Scour ie Peete de ets ek oe) Pee enim ee eee any this final section. RO em eS Ones ite i RC it’s on to learning more languages, creating SCE een eo ec Pe Ree eee caer made, remember the basics, and have Fun! From here, it’s down to you and your imagination. So dream it, and code it. EePlanning Your Code Knowing how to code is great, but it’s not going to get you very Far if you don’t know what itis you're supposed to be coding. Small samples of code don’t need much planning, but bigger projects do, so here are some tips on planning your code. You wl find that nearly all the professional developers out there will, set aside some time to plan out how their code is going tofitinto the Sere teeter enone ay ore ene eee tae eee cr a eee a pee er eee developer will set out their code in plan, omated SS eee company for which they/re working, or the project on which they're er ea a eee ee cae the end product wil function, with each developer team then working nttheir element within the project. Lone developers will sometimes goback to basics, grab paper and a pencil and start getting their ideas down, The end result is always the same, though, a plan oF action that enables the developer to plan without worrying about the actual code Baireeess PSEUDOCODE ine | RECEIVE werNane FR 0M (STRING) KEYBOARD ine? RECEIVE piaNuuber FROM (STRI BOARD ive 3 IF weiName VALID OR piaNuuber VALID THEN ine 4 Allow acces to network ive ELSE in x Denied” TO SCREE ine ENDIF One of the more popular methods of planning to codes using pseudocode. t's terms used in programming circles that allows the eres ee ee ees Siete a ee Eat ears eee en ee ere teed eet cits eis Fee Ra eee ears check user input For odd or even numbers will probably begin with a Sees etc ‘A program to allow a user to check ifthe number is odd or even. econ es oars ey Ue ey Eee es eee) Meco Pree netPlanning Your Code E99 Ce eee eo canny may en ra eee etd Be eco ee ge ieee tects t ec ete Se er Pao en re tee work of entering the code begins. GRAPH PAPER IF you're planning to include graphics in your project, such as 3 Pat etn ane eer eee eet ore Super Mario Bros, launched for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, was nearly exclusively drawn out - both characters and levels on graph paper before being applied to cade. Entire Once the graphical planning stage is complete, it's then down to enna meee rtd Pree eee ee eR a Cee eee ee eed Se en een ee ee ee ee ee eee te Ree ee ere ec gee ee oe blocks; the developer could then visualise the layout of the sprite pseudocode, you could easily plan out what modules you'd use or using the drawing on the graph paper and apply that tothe code. _ create, the number of variables needed, and the various endgame ‘The end result, of course, isthe character appearing on the screen. states that wil arise when someone plays your game. GET PLANNING BU nea cd ge cen aa et Pee eer etree trots peste eeererc Rt ete eo ns ROS a een nea) When planning, begin with small steps. Coding a Hangman game, For example, begins with the plan to get the player's name, then includes cee Ty right. questions, and Finishing the game in one of two states ~a win or Yee ec ee ei Once you're used to planning itl come naturally, and youl Find yourself thankful forall those postit notes stuck to a sheet of A3 Eee eens cee Seca Pseudocode Actual Python code Sf score >= 90 ‘grade = °A' on DO Ray grade = °F coVa ADU aethe biggest Internet portal, OTL UCU rth RC cy Cee ae eS tm ena aoc ee Unlimited satisfaction one low price Cheap constant access to piping hot media Protect your downloadings from Big brother Safer, than torrent-trackers 18 years of seamless operation and our users' satisfaction PNET 0-53 Te Tae MAW ha oleh) AvaxHome - Your End Place We have everything for all of your needs. Just open https://avxlive.icuFinding Resources Monee Uae AA Ne Ie sore akeele nA oct ue ead Internet, so Finding extra help here and there isn’t too much of a problem. However, Finding good Python resources can be, so here are some ideas for you to try. You wll reach a point. your Python coding experience when you need to rely Ce ene Se ar eee vere’ See ee nen eer ese any the Internet, but not all of them are any good. IF you spend any time looking er nS et ca econo Seer ets Se em eed being twenty-nine years old, and many cifferent versions under the bridge, there's a significant amount of content out there that’s simaly out of date~o FT tee ee ut, can have cifferent outputs for your code froma previous version ~it's rot always that case, butt can happen. Therefore, you need to find yourself some trusted Python resources that work, or atleast 90% would work, with the See ea OU Sala date e10] |) Ona Ase) | eee en ee ea es Features a wealth of code that covers most aspects of the learning experience, {even for those who are experts at Python. Youll Find content that wil take your Py ee en ee eee eee eee eaten e et enc ir tency Pores eee eee ed covering a wide range of concepts. There's everything in here From the original Ota ee tear cae ee Aree nee ee estar) Cena eetees ees ey ProgramArcadeGames.com isa ood place tostart Thissite has plenty of code for the Pygame module, including moving an object around the screen using amouse CS ea ere eto Deeper CeO ae eee ee eno) toate, and youray Find yourself having to convert Python 2 cade into Python 3. Nevertheless, you do come across some gems from timeto time, especialy if youlook up the Pygame examples that users have uploaded, We recommend the Coen eaeSTRONG GOOGLE-FU There's no trick toinding good Python resources online; mo: Pee eae queens es Se ence tte t ee eee Stee Ome eure a acre ry e screen ee et ene et et erry Peete eta growing list of Python code and resources that you can Freel eae een! Finding Resources ind Idea Eb) Code Projects Creating a Loading Screen IF you're looking to add a little something extra to your Python code, then consider including a loading screen. The loading screen is a short introduction, or piece of art, Tene let=) 9) oC oL OKA ea MUTINY) eLU mM eoLe( Cee ad eu eee) screens were often used to display the cover of a game Pee eras Coren cea Perey eae or) raster bars danced Potent tg the screen, Loading screens were a part of the package and often thebuy-in far eee eed Peri ere Ea tee ac et) remaining as the game loads, while others even went so far as to include some kind of playable game. The point being: ldading, screen is notjust an artistic part of computing history, butan esr iecrcr ior ait While these days loading screens may no longer bé with us, in Ucar em e uDye Python content. Either just for fun, or to add alittlefetro-themed poten SCREENS Cee aaa ut ob ACT) several options to hand: you can create a tkinter Window and display an image, followed by a brief pause, beforelstarting you main code, or you could opt Fors console-based ASCWart version Cares ena ea oe ey ce een nea Ce teen rato ge online, or use an image to ASCII Art converter to transform any images you have to ASCII. When you have your ASCII art, drop it into Peet or eee THE CODE rere re SS) fiviain Code Star es. system( cls’ if os.name == ‘nt’ else Seren (Taree onde Dezins bere...7) le ft Fomat Bun Optone window Hsp The codes qUite simple: import the OS and Time modules and then create a Python function called loading_ screen with a coc MUST an) PC cease eee eee ee Foren Tener eee eer eae Breet eer nc eeeterermureta seme et | eee Sg oe Cea eee Ria renemeT arn uate Ser Ree ere teeter am eetens ne eNotes ave | er) Sener!Save the code as screns py, drop into a Command Prompt or See eet ete eet ce ees De cee yeaa eae eee) acs LOADING. ‘Another Favourite introduction screen i that of gsimple loading ‘animation, where the word loading is displayed,Followed by Bee eee Eee ae eu cd (ines erica eres oe beinteresting Greate a New File in Python and enter the folléwing code: print “Leading. print(%<" + ( > (usin Code start Loading bar (10) ADVENTURE TIME Ou eer enced text images is when coding atext adventure, Once you've established your story, created the characters, events and so.on, you could easly incorporate some eee encase Imagine coming across dragon, in game, and Cee eee te load up the image tines, one-by-one, and continue with ee having 2 play around with andit'l definitely add alittle Peary = Se eg ues Peer cur ea ac wea} that prints Loading... followed by an animation of sorts, along witha percentage counter; clearing the screen every second and displaying Sees ee en centr COMBINING THE TWO How about combining the two elements we've looked at? Let's, begin with a Loading... progress bar, followed by the loading screen. After that, you can include your own code and continue Pee ener too rine (- 7+ ots (percent) + "07) peine("in") Sieersieep 2} es ayes rea eres=ty aasoamnaees (SSarssaa Teer) print (lines, en: = (seconde iE os nano == "nt! else my tine. sleep (seconds) Sermo (= neeuntoscalser instore 2) BRON (Se PMU ele cee ae begining Ryfemer ave the ASCGetieinthe same folder por ih “ea: oe lena ha perieseit Ataean ) ee ————_____—eeee—— EyIp) Code Projects and Ideas Planning a Text CG NUoIA 180K) eo ee et oe peat open cea taneous ¥ na necessary tomakethe ame both interesting and payable Lacie rore eerie INGREDIENTS FOR A COMPELLING ADVENTURE See Oe ae Sern cor ete areas Rete ‘wom peubleationscom‘Although not always necessary, puzzles do form an interesting aspect of atext adventure. These puzzles can test the players abilities etree ee) ee ee ee See ee ental et Lae eee ees Sul eee ok a eet ena beginning ofthe game and get progressively harder as your character Brent tars ernear errr nett ame ee erry ener es eee net east Poeeer Hints and help along the way canrmske the advengure seem less Corn ote ee ee eae ay Ceeeet eicnege Cee emer A most text adventures do include some form ofa hint. youve Coo een seg ets Cen eee en eae ornare Caco Sennen fe cnet eee EY eel ese geese oe ces Pacing isthe Final aspect of the adventurelgame that needs to be Blanned correctly. Good pacing within the storys vitalto keeping Seu etc ere eae) lengaged with what's going on It’s not an easy'egg to cack, however Veet epee eee Cem ey ee Pare eee ene THE CODE IRsimpossibleto list the code yoU't need for your adventute Cy ea lice ain ueneest ed See eras Pee ee et roe various elements of the game. These can be descriptions of See ea Meer) Cen us ee ets ee eee ea me eect lessen depending on what the player has used/dropped/picked up. Pe eee eo the player's name, amount of strength, endurance, skill and health, For example. Youll also need variables to hold the current score. tee ee ced Breer ees De ea eee a) include an element of combat. Within such examples, a virtual dice es nears Pee ee at ea ‘Strings can be used to keep non-moving elements ofthe game, ete att cet as Crete ae eae Eee ene Ti uc manent ots Funetioys ate the lifebloodoFa text adventure, as they will Form) Ihe backbone of the locations, interactions, events and anything Se ae ee eC eae eee ae ee Sete ete Cie a eo Pern east ete te eee ate with cholges made: do you take the green door or the red door? ore 4a on old Fake oorvas to the arth. Kunkisht chines ta fr 60 0 lads, 2 North (9) FT utoriols Tuse GET LADDER then the ENTER button to get the Ladder D GOOD LUCK, ADVENTURER Seo cE ee ee eer) plan outyour story first. Once you've got the basic story, build on the settings and tocations; then puzzles and other elements. From there, you can begin to expand the game world and add things like cas reo ae eee RSE) Potent iecrs ClJY) Code Projects and Ideas NTS \or vein 00] es .6 5/0 Adventure game uses just the Time module to be creating pauses between print Functions. There’sahelp FE RMUESD SOS elisa Se DEint ("D>sSpSop>rAwasoNe AdVONEMTO RN) BEint(\n” * 3) ‘Eine.sleep@) [print(”\nA long tine ago, a warrior strode forth from ‘the frozen north.”) Tie. steep) [print(Does this warrior have a nane?) nane=input(> "Y [print(nane, “the barbarian, sword in Hand and looking for adventure!) ‘Eime.sleep@) PSU ae % 7 Eime.sleep@) [print (A pair of bulbous eyes regards the hero...”) ‘Eine. seep) DEint(*Will", name, “prevail, and win great fortune...") [Print ("Or die by the hands of great evil...) | Eino.sieep{i) Be eine CVn" =) Bee Peint(oniy tine will tell... §} eine.sicepa) Se Pine. BW ine. sicepii) fprine®...7) ‘Eine. sleep{) co [eime.sleepti) Prine.) | Sime. sleep) - ea 5200) ‘A ragged looking man, and a pair of dangerous eels ‘wom peubleationscom(Text Adventure Script [ Tad =agged0) elif ced = 2 ‘guards0) def ragged BEInE a" ¥ ZOOP rint(”’You walk up to the ragged Looking man and ‘greet hin. ‘Ho suilos a toothless grin and, with = strange accent, says, “Buy me a cup of wine, and YI tell you of ‘great treasure...) Eine. sieep@) def guards0) “Beit (*\n” #200) ‘Brint(”’You walk up to the dangerous locking guarda| ~and grect thon. ‘print(\aEnter your choives as detailed in ‘the game.) [print(or enter “quit” to leave the game") zeturn getend(endist) elif cad = BEint Ola ‘Eine. sleep) [print(Sadly you return to your homeland without Zane or fortune...”) Eine aleep@) ‘exit =a ‘The guards ook up from their drinks and “Sihat do you want, barbarian?” One guard reaches| for the hilt of his sword...) Hine.sleep@) essessss sss eree 000 oO Adventure Time ‘This, asyou can see, ijt the beginning ofthe adventure and takes up a fair few lines of code. When you expand, and weave the story along, youl find that you can repeat certain instances suchas. chance meeting with an enemy or the ike, (We've created each ofthe two encounters as adefined set (oF Functions along with alist of possible choices under the cdlist list, and cmd variable, of which s also a defined Function. Expanding on this is quite easy, just map out each encounter and choice and create a defined Function around it. Providing the user doesn't enter quit nto the adventure, they can keep playing. ‘There's also room inthe adventure fora set of variables designed for combat, luck, health, endurance and even an inventory or ‘amount of gold eamed, Each successful combat situation can reduce the main character's health but increase their combat skis ‘orendurance. Plus, they could loot the body and gain gold or earn, {gold through quests. Finally, how about introducing the Random module. This will tenable you to include an element of chance inthe game. For ‘example, in combat, when you strike an enemy you will doa random amount of damage as will they. You could even work out the maths behind improving the chance ofa better hitbased on your or your opponent's combat sills, current health, strength and endurance, You could create a game of dice inthe inn, to see IF you in or lose gold (again, improve the chances of winning by working ‘out your luck Factor into the equation). "Needless to say, your text adventure can grow exponentially {and prove to be a work of wonder. Goodluck, and have Fun with your adventureCode Projects and Idea Retro Coding There's a school of thought, that to master the foundations of good coding skills you need to have some experience of how code was written in the past. In the past is a bit folie M ole Me LU mares accel Leolel ae MoM eR asm ‘THE-GOLDEN ERA OF CODE Ne cu ett een er aed Tee eee eee ee aed Pete ae cer ene a Ce etre tg See ete en ago, code stil demands strict discipline to work correctly Secondly, everydaycoding elernents, such as loops, sub routines afd so on, are a great visual aid to learn older code, especially BASIC. Lastly, eer GOING BASIC The easiest retro language to play around wits, wfthout doubt, BASIC. Developed backin the mid-sirties, BASIC (Bealgner's All ee ewer ee fa i eto er ert aad eee ete aa Cee Cura aes El eet students could get to grips with, quickly and easly. Thitk oF BASICas a CSc e Bini) 44:3 The problem with BASICis that there were so many different versions percocet certo Pearcy ontop ofthe core BASIC Ce ons was packaged with the Cts Strat ecatay Preurenntas rau ene es Peer ttt oe ee ee Pred ene et ear are Coe eee eg oN ee eects ee eo ud ee eee ns eer nt cnet For different processoc types, suchas the Zilog 280~a CPU presentin ara rieet een Tey ts “The BBC Micro was Wesigned and built by Acom Computers=3 compa thats historically responsible forthe creation of the ARM ree eee mere tc ech Se Nate Ey ios eee RS ee cue et) eee SET ee mare Tm eu stys Seis retary cts rt ere enna eee ee eee re eg ei er cones cme est 20 Dn Nome EeseRe NE ect eT sn er Rome ren Geese on an a we eG Pieerav ieee eas Se eae ee aU ae to Per tarts Pd Fe Ue Cour ot Seren eer ater eco ete eos MeN Ae Me rds hoe me.uk/beebem/indexchtm, and download the BeebEM414.exe orca ec Ceres ee cer eae et tay) ee ena aE en