Python Coding & Programming The Complete Manual

Getting started with a programming language can be tricky, knowing where to start and what to use and how to actually begin coding. This is where The Python Manual comes in.Regardless of whether you’re a student, computer enthusiast or just curious as to how programming works, our tutorials will help you discover how Python works and how it can be used to interact with you and other users. What’s more, you’ll learn how to think like a computer programmer. 100% Unofficial.

Python Coding & Programming

Getting Started

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?

A Brief History of Coding • It’s easy to think that programming a machine to automate a process, or calculate a value, is a modern 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.

What can You Do with Python? • Python is an open-source, object-oriented programming language that’s simple to understand and write, yet also powerful and extremely malleable. It’s these characteristics that help make it such an important language to learn.

PYTHON in NUMBERS • There’s a lot to like about Python, but don’t just take our word for it. Here are some amazing facts and figures surrounding one of the most popular programming languages of recent years.

Why Python? • There are many different programming languages available for the modern computer, and some still available for older 8 and 16-bit computers too. Some of these languages are designed for scientific work, others for mobile platforms and such. So why choose Python out of all the rest?

Python on the Pi • If you’re considering on which platform to install and use Python, then give some thought to one of the best coding bases available: the Raspberry Pi. The Pi has many advantages for the coder: it’s cheap, easy to use, and extraordinarily flexible.

Using Virtual Machines • A Virtual Machine allows you to run an entire operating system from within an app on your desktop. This way, you’re able to host multiple systems in a secure, safe and isolated environment. In short, it’s an ideal way to code.

Creating a Coding Platform • The term ‘Coding Platform’ can denote a type of hardware, on which you can code, or a particular operating system, or even a custom environment that’s pre-built and designed to allow the easy creation of games. In truth it’s quite a loose term, as a Coding Platform can be a mixture of all these ingredients, it’s simply down to what programming language you intend to code in and what your end goals are.

Hello, World

Equipment You Will Need • You can learn Python with very little hardware or initial financial investment. You don’t need an incredibly powerful computer and any software that’s required is freely available.

Getting to Know Python • Python is the greatest computer programming language ever created. It enables you to fully harness the power of a computer, in a language that’s clean and easy to understand.

How to Set Up Python in Windows • Windows users can easily install the latest version of Python via the main Python Downloads page. Whilst most seasoned Python developers may shun Windows as the platform of choice for building their code, it’s still an ideal starting point for beginners.

How to Set Up Python in Linux • While the Raspberry Pi’s operating system contains the latest, stable version of Python, other Linux distros don’t come with Python 3 pre-installed. If you’re not going down the Pi route, then here’s how to check and install...