fs) Popercut’s \ Features Python & Linux. \ Features Python & Linux. & Linux Python & FREE DIGITAL MAGAZINE DOWNLOAD Worth £9.99 See inside for details Learn more about Python to improve your coding OVER and programming skills 160 PAG aS 820+ Professional tricks, tips and step-by-step _) tutorials + projects Discover how Python works, what it can do and how to code it 100% INDEPENDENTDon’t miss our essential tech Magazines Packed with exclusive tutorials, tricks & tips! Available now on ~ Readly Papercut www.pclpublications.com£6) Papercut's hon CODING MANUAL Unlock your imagination with Python... This guide will help you form the foundation of your Python coding future, from installing the language ‘onto your computer, through to forming user interaction and complex variables. There's so much you can do with Python and within these pages you'll find everything you need to know to become Python programmer, ready for the next level of advanced coding. Whether you're looking to learn Python for future career prospects, or just have some fun and discover something new, our step-by-step tutorials and guides will give you that much-needed foothold to help you on your way. Master your tech @ www.pclpublications.comContents } Contents (3) Getting Started eu Cen ener sO enn prc Genin se Working with Data Cac Cas 68 Dictionaries renee nnn Sante en ct Peerhn Pron Coding & Programing 16 Why Python? Lela u neal ern een eee Opening Files inion Exceptions Cramer Combining What You Know So Far Python in Focus: GamingFREE CODE DOWNLOAD! Vere Te ue ues 12 cred Code Repository nae s Riocgetemtend Peeters Random Password Generator Text to Binary Convertor pees Mouse Controlled Turtle Python Alarm Clock czy ra cry EC 132 133 cer ({ Contents Ree os rr Oars) foe pores Cec iar Simple Python Calculator Denne aas vmplpsliationscomance Started 2% Set ake ph as a ne ae) i Siena a a Sie ei(Getting started Cll Python isa high-level, general-purpose programming language that was developed by Guido van Rossum in the late eighties and is based upon a number of other languages, while being the successor to the popular ABC language. Ithas been devised to work ona human level, so it’s readable and understandable without needing to delve into obscure volumes of machine code, hexadecimal characters, or even ones and zeros. It’s dear, logical, comprehensive, powerful and functional, yet also easy to Follow and learn. You will find Python at the heart of some of the most interesting and cutting-edge technologies in the world. It’s the code that binds supercomputer algorithms together; it's used in the space industry, and in science and engineering. Al, and the likes of Alexa and Siri, Cortana and the Google Assistant all utilise Python For their powerful voice recognition technology. It’s simply an amazing, versatile and incredible language to learn. So let's get started and explore what you need to become a Python programmer. Being a Programmer ABrief History of Coding What can You Do with Python? Python in Numbers Why Python? Python on the Pi Using Virtual Machines Creating a Coding Platform ———— 7Being a Programmer Programmer, developer, coder, they're all titles for the same occupation, someone who creates code. What they're creating the code For can be anything from a video game to a critical element on-board the International Space Station. How do you become a programmer though?‘Times have changed since programming inthe 80s, butthe core valves still remain. “It's up to you how far to take your coding adventure!” — © sectestor(tusce) . —_— = ie si, Being able to follow a logical pattern and "see an end result sone ofthe most valued skills oF a programmer. MORE THAN CODE For those of you old enough to remember the ‘80s, the golden era of home ‘computing, the world of computing was a very different scene to how its, today. 8-bit computers that you could purchase as a whole, as opposed to beeing in kit Form and you having to solder the parts together, were the stuff ‘of dreams; and getting your hands on one was sheer bliss contained within 2 large plastic box. However, it wasnt so much the new technology that ‘computers then offered, moreover it was the fact that For the frst time ‘ever, you could control what was being viewed on the ‘television. Instead of simply playing one of the thousands of games available atthe time, many users decided they wanted to create their own content, their ‘own games; or simply something that could help them with their homework ‘or home finances. The simplicity ofthe &-bit home computer meant that ‘creating something from a Few lines oF BASIC code was achievable and so the first generation of home-bred programmer was born, From that point on, programming expanded exponentially. t wasn't long before the bedroom coder was a thing ofthe past and huge teams of designers, coders, artists and musicians were involved in making a single ‘game. This of course led to the programmer becoming more than simply ‘someone who could Fashion a sprite on the screen and make it move at the press ofa key. Naturally, time has moved on and with itthe technology that we use. However, the Fundamentals of programming remain the same; but what ‘exactly doesit taketo be a programmer? ‘The single most common traitof any programmer, regardless of what they/re doing, is the ability to see a logical pattern. By this we mean ‘someone who can logically Follow something from start to Finish and ‘envisage the intended outcome. While youmay not Feel you're such a person, itis possible to train your brain into this way of thinking. Yes, It takes time but once you start to thinkin this particular way you willbe able to.construct and follow code. ‘Second to logicis an understanding of mathematics. You don't have to be ‘at a genius level but you do need to understand the rudiments of maths. Maths is all about being able to solve a problem and code mostly Falls under the umbrella of mathematics Being able to see the big pictures certainly beneficial For the modern programmer. Undoubtedly, asa programmer, you will be part ofa team ‘of other programmers, and more than likely part of an even bigger team (of designers, al of whom are creating a final product. While you may only be exnected to create a small element of that final product, being able to Understand what everyone else is doing will help you create something that’s ultimately better than simply being locked in your own coding cubicle. Finally, there's also level of creativity needed to be a good programmer. ‘Again though, you don't need to be a creative genius, just have the imagination to be able to see the end product and how the user willinteract with it. ‘There is of course a lot more involved in being a programmer, including learning the actual code itself: However, with time, patience and the {determination to lear, anyone can become a programmer. Whether you want to be part ofa triple-A video game team or simply create an ‘automated routine to make your computing life easier, t's up to you how Farto take your coding adventure! en Being a Programmer CllD cainasare A Brief History of Coding It’s easy to think that programming a machine to automate a process, or calculate a value, is amodern concept that’s only really happened in the last Fifty years or so. However, that assumption is quite wrong, coding has actually been around for quite some time. Tel M CMM MMM OR MLM ROMO week Essentially all forms of coding are made up of ones and zeros - on or off states. This works For both a modern computer and even the oldest known computational device. Ce eae ‘programmable loom, which used cards with Bice teint oe emer Ce ei eee ea escent ae eee ee Eee ireuetd salts ee \ pea ies Seat ate eaine et eet s ees Dee ude Cre oe a a eestee Pe ened aad Dead Cee at Ree mene’ eed eee oe Cea’ Pre eer Sree ees cee etee 1951-1958 1960-1970 From the 1970s, the development ofthe lkes of SQL, C with Classes (C+4), MATLAB, Common Lisp and more, came tothe Fore. The 80s was undoubtedly the golden age of the home ‘computer, time when silicon processors were cheap enough for ‘ordinary Folk to buy. This le to a boomin home/bedroom coders with the rise oF &-bit machines, 1970-1985 1990s-Present Day ‘Computer programming ‘was mainly utilised by universities, the military and big corporations during the ‘60s ‘or home user, language wi the development of BASIC (Beginners All-purpose ‘Symbolic Instruction Code) in the mid-sixtes. Rete Rea ‘Assembly Language (ASM) or ‘The Internet age brought a wealth of new Emu error) Pence see ae Pee nome Not only could auser learn how to code, Pe ee aes source other code to improve their own, eee Rees Cen Ce a renee eis ete eee such as IPL, FORTRAN and ALGOL, eee ‘Admiral Grace Hopper was part oF the team that developed the UNIVAC ‘computer and she eventually developed a compiler frit. n time, the compiler she developed became COBOL (Common Business-oriented Language), computer language thal stilin use today ea)