Programming the Raspberry Pi: Getting Started with Python

by Simon Monk

An updated guide to programming your own Raspberry Pi projectsLearn to create inventive programs and fun games on your powerful Raspberry Pi--with no programming experience required. This practical TAB book has been revised to fully cover the new Raspberry Pi 2, including upgrades to the Raspbian operating system. Discover how to configure hardware and software, write Python scripts, create user-friendly GUIs, and control external electronics. DIY projects include a hangman game, RGB LED controller, digital clock, and RasPiRobot complete with an ultrasonic rangefinder.


Set up your Raspberry Pi and explore its features
Navigate files, folders, and menus
Write Python programs using the IDLE editor
Use strings, lists, functions, and dictionaries
Work with modules, classes, and methods
Create user-friendly games using Pygame
Build intuitive user interfaces with Tkinter
Attach external electronics through the GPIO port
Add powerful Web features to your projects

Genres: Programming, Technology, Computer Science, Technical, Nonfiction, Engineering, Science

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Karel Baloun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get this if you are completely new to Raspberry Pi AND you are interested in an intro to hardware manipulation. Plan to skip the python intro, because if you are this much of a hobbyist, you already know it, and better is probably free online personalized more to your background and needs.

I reached for the 4-star because this blend of simple software powering so easily rather complicated hardware, with every single part of the system so open and visible to me.... felt really amazing. The Pi and Arduino are amazing.

Only a very very basic intro mostly for students. I powered through it in 2hrs.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good quick start guide. While it lacked some details to learn some of the underpinnings (I'm a complete novice) it definitely was a helpful approachable introduction to many used and aspects of the Pi.

[Amjad Abdullah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. However, not very helpful for novice audienc or beginners. Beginners need more details and explanations on simple stuff before they can step ahead to a harder level.

[Charlotte Dungan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older version of the Pi (2) so was less useful to me.

[David Talach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short book to get you up and running quickly, along with first programming and GPIO with Hardware.

[Miron · Rating 1 out of 5]

First raspberry examples start in chapter 9. More than half of this book is about introduction to Python.

[Ansuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good for Raspberry Pi starter projects

Very quick helpful tips to get you started if you are using Raspberry Pi for the first time. Enjoy your projects.

[Kimberly McCollum · Rating 2 out of 5]

If the books that I purchased to help me design a curriculum to use with my students to learn Python on the Raspberry Pi, this was the least useful.

[BCPI · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked, the main thing that taught me python, my only criticism is that the pickling files script don't work.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is mostly python lessons. I would be good to have more projects

[Cloay · Rating 3 out of 5]

- available in SG NLB 794.81526 (Sengkang

[Nippy Katz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book approaches the Raspberry Pi through Python, the idea being to learn both Python and RP internals together. It's not bad as an intro to Python. A beginner could learn enough basic programming concepts to write some interesting code. One drawback is that the author seems bent on teaching the principles of spaghetti code. He delights in using the break keyword as a way to exit loops, as though logical conditions are only there to control the use of "break." If your intro to coding is this book you should know that in all languages where it exists, the break keyword is used only in cases where it's the only tool available. In standard loops, for example, it's never necessary to use it. A loop should always end when the logical condition that governs its operation changes. It may seem picky, but good style is the sum of a bunch of small habits. It leads to code that's easier to maintain and easier to understand.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty complete introduction to Python. The examples throughout the book reference the Raspberry Pi and the Raspian Wheezy distribution of Linux specifically but there is no reason you could not use this to get started with Python on any platform it runs on with very minor adjustments, most of which would be related to OS specific items like: path, permissions, and syntax. I have lots of other Python books but this is the first one I read all the way through while working the examples which should say a lot about the book. The first 2 chapters (24 pgs) are all about the Raspberry Pi but the rest is all Python goodness in an easily digestible format.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book with project ideas for the Raspberry Pi. Lots of Python--it depends on whether you are new to it or are already familiar with Python if you will find this a good resource or not. The robot building section towards the back looked fun. Mind you, I haven't tried any of these programs (I picked up the book just to check the content), but it looks very manageable for a beginner to work through all of the Python exercises here.

[Jon Galbreath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction

I've had a Pi for a while and I've recently been getting into tinkering with I/O and scripting with Python. The examples in the book are great for clearing up some confusion I'd had with learning Python's quirks.

[Haneen]

A present :)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Python