Name: [002] Ian Ozsvald
Member: 90 months
Authored: 181 videos
Description: I am the co-founder of ShowMeDo (see http://showmedo.com/about), author of `The Screencasting Handbook <http://thescreencastinghandbook.com>`_ and the founder of the professional screencast production company `ProCasts <http://procasts.co.uk>`_: .. image:: http://procasts.co.uk/media/procasts_sma ...

Python Beginners - What Does Python Look Like? [ID:275]

a series of video-tutorials by Ian Ozsvald

If you're coming to Python from a different language then you'll want to know how the syntax looks. If you're new to programming then you'll probably want an idea of what to expect too! Here I give you a high-level view of Python's code and common functions and I link to examples from Java, C and C++ to provide comparisons.

Video Tutorials

1. 3 Minute Oveview (What Does Python Look Like?)

by Ian Ozsvald added 06/08
This overview will show you what's covered in this Club series. The aim is to show you, the new Python programmer, what Python looks like. I also link to external articles so you can compare how Python works with whatever language you know. You're not expected to know much about programming but I do assume that you know basic concepts like variables, loops and functions. Links - Informal Introd [...]

2. Variables and Naming

by Ian Ozsvald added 06/08
Here we look at variables and naming conventions. Variables in Python might work in a different way to whichever language you've used, in particular Python is strongly typed and uses dynamic types. I also talk about the built-in Garbage Collector which might be new to you if you're from a C background. Links - Python Tutorial (python.org), Built-in types, Informal Introduction to Python, Python [...]

3. Write and Run (and Unit Tests), No Compiling

by Ian Ozsvald added 06/08
Python isn't compiled (as for languages like Java and C++) and instead you can run your new code directly at the command line. This means that you miss out on some static type checking that compiled languages provide, instead you can benefit more by adopting a test-driven development approach to coding. Other ShowMeDos for Test Driven Development - testing websites with Twill and Python, Python [...]

4. Indentation and Colons

by Ian Ozsvald added 06/08
Python uses white-space for indentation and a colon to mark the start of a block (which replaces the curly-brackets seen in Java and C++). Here I talk about this style of coding and give some examples of Java and Python code. Links - Java and Python code comparison, Indenting Python Code, Python Style Guide.

5. Loops and Conditions

by Ian Ozsvald added 06/08
Loops and conditions are fundamental programming tools, here I show you Python's for, while and if statements. These examples serve as nice examples to the use of a colon and white-space for indentation as discussed in the previous episode. Further examples can be found here in Dive Into Python.

6. Functions and Classes

by Ian Ozsvald added 06/08
Functions wrap up a logical segment of code, normally you pass in some values, something is calculated and then a result is returned. Python allows for a variable number of arguments and return values (which C and Java don't allow). Here I show you how a simple function works by passing in values and receiving several values back. I also talk about Classes and provide links to some reading mate [...]

Showmedo is a peer-produced video-tutorials and screencasts site for free and open-source software (FOSS)- with the exception of some club videos, the large majority are free to watch and download.

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Educating the Open-source Community With Showmedo

Although as important as the software it supports, education and documentation are relatively neglected in the Open-source world. Coders love to code, and explaining how best to use or improve the software tends to be deferred or even sidelined.

At Showmedo we believe the community can play a vital role here and also say thanks for the tools and software that make our lives easier. If you have a piece of software you love or a programming langugage you are enthusiastic about, why not make a screencast showing others how to use it? All the stuff you wish you'd been told, the tips, tricks, insights that would have saved you time and frustration.

Screencasting is easier than you think, and we're happy to help you. You can emailus for advice or just use some of the how-to screencasts on the site. This screencasting learning-pathis a good place to start.

Kudos and Thanks for Ian
Adding Python to DOS Path

Thanks man
Python Beginner 31 months ago
Overview - building your own Image Viewer

very nice tutorial
hyde 31 months ago
Developing Python Programs Using the IPython Shell

This is how I like it. Infact, this is how most of us like it. Short and to the point. In UNIX programs are usually small and compact and do one thing very well. And so likewise, its good to teach one important concept at a time and then give freedom to the viewer to combine concepts he learns from many different videos. Easily graspable. : )
Ajjai 31 months ago
Developing Python Programs Using the IPython Shell

Good tutorial for beginner.Thank you.
Cuneyt 31 months ago
3 Minute Oveview (What Does Python Look Like?)

Thanks you for making this video series. It is real help for starters like me.
Nuwan Chaturanga 31 months ago
Batteries-included - the csv module

a very good start ...
aebruno 31 months ago
First 5 Minutes with Python

Thanks.

Wish I had found this resource sooner. Now, though, the other topics should make me able to increase skills faster.
Alan 31 months ago
First 5 Minutes with Python

All is new in Python for me. Great movie! Thank you!
Plamen 31 months ago
Adding Python to DOS Path

Great video! Thank you!
Plamen 31 months ago
For using a range

Thanks!
Dino 31 months ago
3 Minute Oveview (What Does Python Look Like?)

the demo is nice but why should I comment on every part
nawaf 31 months ago
The 20 Minute Wiki, 2nd Edition

Super cool :-)
happytig3r 31 months ago
First 5 Minutes with Python

Thanks for the 5 minute intro to python. I've got 2 Nutshell books, but I think I'll be using them only to supplement these ShowMeDo vids. Great job!!! Thanks for keeping it available to the general public for free :) Maybe I can return the favor and make a video one day myself.
Leigh 31 months ago
First 5 Minutes with Python

Keep up the good work.
Ted Maciag 31 months ago
3 Minute Oveview (What Does Python Look Like?)

simple and informative. you draw me in
Woody Dykes 31 months ago
Worked Solution - adding a Mirror function to the Image Viewer

Just right.

Thanks,

Mark
Mark 31 months ago
3 Minute Oveview (What Does Python Look Like?)

thanks
Mehmet Baykan 31 months ago
Exercise - add a Mirror function to our wxPython Image Viewer

Well done. Question: Are or have you been a teacher?

Also, following a standard "bar" cursor can be difficult. I have found the yellow highlighted cursor to be a little easier to follow.

Thanks again,

Mark
Mark 31 months ago
Your own Skeleton wxPython Application

Nice bite sized bits.

Thanks,

Mark
Mark 31 months ago
more...

Learning Paths

This series lies on the following learning-paths. Learning-paths are a new initiative at Showmedo, to start structuring our content better. You can find out more here.

Beginner Python Programming
Content

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