Python for Kids

by Briggs, Jason R.

• ISBN13: 9781593274078
• ISBN10: 1593274076
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2012-12-12
• Publisher: INGRAM

Summary

Python for Kidsis a lighthearted introduction to the Python language and programming in general, complete with illustrations and kid-friendly examples. Jason Briggs, author of the popular online tutorial "Snake Wrangling for Kids," begins with the basics of how to install Python and write simple commands. In bite-sized chapters, he instructs readers on the essentials of Python, including how to use Python's extensive standard library, the difference between strings and lists, and using for-loops and while-loops. By the end of the book, readers have built a game and created drawings with Python's graphics library, Turtle. Each chapter closes with fun and relevant exercises that challenge the reader to put their newly acquired knowledge to the test.

Author Biography

Jason Briggs has been a programmer since the age of eight, when he first learned BASIC on a Radio Shack TRS-80. Since then he has written software professionally as a developer and systems architect and served as Contributing Editor for Java Developer's Journal. His articles have appeared in JavaWorld, ONJava and ONLamp. Python for Kids is his first book.

Table of Contents

About the Author and Technical Reviewers
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Learning to Program
Chapter 1: Not All Snakes Slither
Chapter 2: Calculations and Variables
Chapter 3: Strings, Lists, Tuples, and Maps
Chapter 4: Drawing with Turtles
Chapter 5: Asking Questions with if and else
Chapter 6: Going Loopy
Chapter 7: Recycling Your Code with Functions and Modules
Chapter 8: How to Use Classes and Objects
Chapter 9: Python's Built-In Functions
Chapter 10: Useful Python Modules
Chapter 11: More Turtle Graphics
Chapter 12: Using tkinter for Better Graphics
Part II: Bounce!
Chapter 13: Beginning Your First Game: Bounce!
Chapter 14: Finishing Your First Game: Bounce!
Part III: Mr. Stick Man Races for the Exit
Chapter 15: Creating Graphics for the Mr. Stick Man Game
Chapter 16: Developing the Mr. Stick Man Game
Chapter 17: Creating Mr. Stick Man
Chapter 18: Completing the Mr. Stick Man Game
Afterword: Where to Go from Here
Appendix: Python Keywords
Glossary
Index