Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

Totalnoob · Jan 1st, 2008, 5:16 PM

Hey,

I'm new to the whole programming scene and have been interested in doing this for a while. I started doing an online tutorial for python, I have a few questions.

1. How do I apply my python language to "real" programs, I only seem to be doing text based programs. Can python apply this to "real" programs, for example a program to do a scheduled task (windows does this in the control panel, but just for an example)

2. Whats the learning curve? I have heard python is supposed to be easy, how long until i can start making said "real" programs, how much time per day/week should I spend programming, I may not have a lot of time once college starts (i'im asking for a reference or guide to how much can be done per day to still progress)

Thanks,

TotalNoob.

Sane · Jan 1st, 2008, 6:09 PM

Could you clarify what you mean by a "real" program?

Do you mean a program that looks like a standard Windows Application? Or just one that provides a useful purpose?

For example, with basic Python knowledge, you could already make a program that runs an application routinely.

 Python Syntax (Toggle Plain Text) 
import time
import os
 
# Command to be executed
cmd = "start c:/windows/notepad.exe"
 
# Interval to be run at 
wait = 300    # This is 5 minutes
 
# Loop infinitely
while 1:
 
    # Execute command
    os.system(cmd)
 
    # Wait a bit
    time.sleep(wait)
import time
import os

# Command to be executed
cmd = "start c:/windows/notepad.exe"

# Interval to be run at 
wait = 300    # This is 5 minutes

# Loop infinitely
while 1:

    # Execute command
    os.system(cmd)

    # Wait a bit
    time.sleep(wait)

But if you wanted to make that look like an actual Windows application, as opposed to something that runs in a console, that would involve learning how to use a Python GUI toolkit. That has a fairly steep learning curve.

Totalnoob · Jan 1st, 2008, 7:06 PM

yeah sorry I wasn't clear enough, that first answer helps me. Another example would be to create a program such as an addon for a computer game etc.

Game_Ender · Jan 2nd, 2008, 4:05 AM

If you are looking for something a little more fun then games that print stuff to screen check out Pygame. It will let you create 2D games and give you something more rewarding then seeing text scroll by.

EDIT: There is even a follow along tutorial here for creating a game with Pygrame (3 part series).

Totalnoob · Jan 2nd, 2008, 6:34 PM

Thanks ill check that out now. Also how much time do I need to spend on programming to still move forward? 1 hour a day, 1 hour a week etc.? Im going to be quite busy once college starts and would like to know if "i should bother"

cheers.

Sane · Jan 2nd, 2008, 6:49 PM

It depends how motivated you are, how quick you can learn, and how quickly you want to move forward.

Spending one hour a week, you'll see progress of course. But not as much as an hour a day. Either way, it'll take a lot of time, and a lot of consistency. Maybe a month or so to churn out your first finished game in Pygame. But I don't think you should let that turn you off.

Chuckiferd · Jan 23rd, 2008, 2:48 PM

Aiiiiah!!! the tutorial that you posted it says

Quote:

Originally Posted by the tutorial

Basically once you have downloaded the source from python.org unpack the tar ball as follows:

tar -zxvf Python-2.4.2.tgz

I keep on seeing this, how do I do it???

EDIT: Please don't disown me lol, but I also see all these ZIP files and PDP files and I don't know how to read them because I can't understand when I put them in notepad,

can you read this?
PK ZW6dêy¥r «1 tutseq1.htmª[ks·’ý>¿â–C*¦H[¶“”M+«—#ê•

or this?
謟ઈ칼䙙̀畴潴⹲慴r緬叻윣뛕噿ﺕ庇䷹ᬀ怤똯쁙䈑⫬䐁��쓝狥꒍ᨑ騳⬂ﲧ뾿珏࣌��?益咾뱈馈珩玞ꏩ㱱葟瑞鳝经龥ﱪ碼賶瞿窾峾窼��诮

Infinite Recursion · Jan 23rd, 2008, 4:20 PM

You are referring to notepad, so I assume you are running Windows.

The tar utility is for Linux (*nix)... not for Windows...

The Python-2.4.2.tgz file is a compressed / archive file... and can be opened using a program like Winzip (winzip.com).

If you don't already have Python installed, I would look for a precompiled binary, instead of building one from source.

Jan 1st, 2008, 5:16 PM	#1
Totalnoob Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Few questions about python/programming. Hey, I'm new to the whole programming scene and have been interested in doing this for a while. I started doing an online tutorial for python, I have a few questions. 1. How do I apply my python language to "real" programs, I only seem to be doing text based programs. Can python apply this to "real" programs, for example a program to do a scheduled task (windows does this in the control panel, but just for an example) 2. Whats the learning curve? I have heard python is supposed to be easy, how long until i can start making said "real" programs, how much time per day/week should I spend programming, I may not have a lot of time once college starts (i'im asking for a reference or guide to how much can be done per day to still progress) Thanks, TotalNoob.

Jan 1st, 2008, 6:09 PM	#2
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 2,081 Rep Power: 6	Re: Few questions about python/programming. Could you clarify what you mean by a "real" program? Do you mean a program that looks like a standard Windows Application? Or just one that provides a useful purpose? For example, with basic Python knowledge, you could already make a program that runs an application routinely. Python Syntax (Toggle Plain Text) import time import os # Command to be executed cmd = "start c:/windows/notepad.exe" # Interval to be run at wait = 300 # This is 5 minutes # Loop infinitely while 1: # Execute command os.system(cmd) # Wait a bit time.sleep(wait) import time import os # Command to be executed cmd = "start c:/windows/notepad.exe" # Interval to be run at wait = 300 # This is 5 minutes # Loop infinitely while 1: # Execute command os.system(cmd) # Wait a bit time.sleep(wait) But if you wanted to make that look like an actual Windows application, as opposed to something that runs in a console, that would involve learning how to use a Python GUI toolkit. That has a fairly steep learning curve.

Jan 1st, 2008, 7:06 PM	#3
Totalnoob Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: Few questions about python/programming. yeah sorry I wasn't clear enough, that first answer helps me. Another example would be to create a program such as an addon for a computer game etc.

Jan 2nd, 2008, 4:05 AM	#4
Game_Ender Professional Programmer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 306 Rep Power: 3	Re: Few questions about python/programming. If you are looking for something a little more fun then games that print stuff to screen check out Pygame. It will let you create 2D games and give you something more rewarding then seeing text scroll by. EDIT: There is even a follow along tutorial here for creating a game with Pygrame (3 part series). __________________ Robotics @ Maryland AUV Team - Software Lead

Jan 2nd, 2008, 6:34 PM	#5
Totalnoob Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: Few questions about python/programming. Thanks ill check that out now. Also how much time do I need to spend on programming to still move forward? 1 hour a day, 1 hour a week etc.? Im going to be quite busy once college starts and would like to know if "i should bother" cheers.

Jan 2nd, 2008, 6:49 PM	#6
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 2,081 Rep Power: 6	Re: Few questions about python/programming. It depends how motivated you are, how quick you can learn, and how quickly you want to move forward. Spending one hour a week, you'll see progress of course. But not as much as an hour a day. Either way, it'll take a lot of time, and a lot of consistency. Maybe a month or so to churn out your first finished game in Pygame. But I don't think you should let that turn you off.

Jan 23rd, 2008, 4:20 PM	#8
Infinite Recursion Programming Guru Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3,473 Rep Power: 8	Re: Few questions about python/programming. You are referring to notepad, so I assume you are running Windows. The tar utility is for Linux (*nix)... not for Windows... The Python-2.4.2.tgz file is a compressed / archive file... and can be opened using a program like Winzip (winzip.com). If you don't already have Python installed, I would look for a precompiled binary, instead of building one from source. __________________ http://jasonpowers.net "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

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Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

Few questions about python/programming.