The RST-script for this Learning-path

The script below was used to generate the learning-path page above.

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Beginner Python Programming
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.. contents::

start
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Aimed at new Python programmers, we're assuming you know a tiny bit about programming and nothing about using Python

goals
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How to read and write simply Python programs and running them

Background Material
===================

There are two Learning Paths you should follow beforehand, the first gets Python onto your machine and the second gives you a very light background to programming.

.. path:: 010, 009

You'll have a lot of questions when you start out with programming, this first video will try to give you a background to some of those questions.

.. video:: 297

Next this Club series will walk you through what Python code looks like.  You'll learn about indenting and if you know languages like C or Java you'll see where the syntax is similar and where it is different.

If you know nothing about programming then this series will help you to learn about what you're looking at, it'll give you the necessary context for later videos.

.. series:: 275

Finally you'll want to know where to go to get answers to your questions.  This short series shows you all sorts of Python sites where you can get more background material and where you can ask questions.

.. series:: 027

Some off-site resources you ought to see include the official `Python.org Tutorial <http://docs.python.org/tutorial/>`_, `Dive Into Python <http://diveintopython.org/>`_ and the large tutorial collection at `awaretek <http://www.awaretek.com/tutorials.html>`_.

Gasto's Python from Zero series will also give you some more background on how Python works

.. series:: 247

Starting to write programs with Python
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Now you'll want to learn about the various built-in objects and functions of Python.  First you should look at common variables and containers, these are some of the most common things you'll deal with.

.. series:: 280

Fundamentally everything in Python is an Object (if you know C++, Java or SmallTalk then you'll know the concept).  Jerol's introduction will teach you a little more about what Objects are.

.. series:: 005

Now we'll begin to work with 'loops' - this is another fundamental programming concept.

.. series:: 296

Whilst many things are built-in to Python, much of its richness comes from external libraries.  Python is known as having 'batteries included' because many of the core libraries are included in every Python distribution.  Here Lucas gives you an overview of some of the common functionality.

.. series:: 307

To start building your own programs you will quickly realise that it makes sense not to write one long sequence of instructions but instead to break the code up into common blocks of functionality.  Generally these blocks are called 'functions', here you'll get a high-level overview of how to write your own.

.. series:: 360

Another skill you'll need is the ability to handle logic with 'if'.

.. series:: 405

Now you have a firm knowledge of the basics of Python <phew>.            

You might also want to browse some of `Horst <http://showmedo.com/videotutorials/?author=71>`_'s videos, he has some beginner Python content in German, Russian, Croation and Chinese.

Playing with turtle and RUR-PLE
===============================

Python has a built-in 'turtle' application (based on `turtle robots <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_(robot)>`_), `Horst <http://showmedo.com/videotutorials/?author=71>`_ has videos in various spoken languages on using turtle including the following.  Turtle is a nice tool to interact visually with Python.

.. series:: 188


You should also take a look at RUR-PLE the Robot by Andre Roberge.

RUR-PLE is like turtle - you control a virtual robot and interact with it using simply Python expressions.  Both turtle and RUR-PLE are great for kids.

.. series:: 057 015

Next step
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You started with an installed but unused Python, now you have learned what Python looks like, how to write basic scripts using all of Python's main language features and you've had a chance to play with the graphical tools turtle and RUR-PLE.

Now look here:

.. path:: 12


.. authors::  71 79 3253 11 8 709 22