Python for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Programming

Description

For Kids Aged 10+ (And Their Parents)The code in this book runs on almost anything: Windows, Mac, Linux, even an OLPC laptop or Raspberry Pi!Python is a powerful, expressive programming language that's easy to learn and fun to use! But books about learning to program in Python can be kind of dull, gray, and boring, and that's no fun for anyone.Python for Kids brings Python to life and brings you (and your parents) into the world of programming. The ever-patient Jason R. Briggs will guide you through the basics as you experiment with unique (and often hilarious) example programs that feature ravenous monsters, secret agents, thieving ravens, and more. New terms are defined; code is colored, dissected, and explained; and quirky, full-color illustrations keep things on the lighter side.Chapters end with programming puzzles designed to stretch your brain and strengthen your understanding. By the end of the book you'll have programmed two complete games: a clone of the famous Pong and "Mr. Stick Man Races for the Exit"—a platform game with jumps, animation, and much more.As you strike out on your programming adventure, you'll learn how to:Use fundamental data structures like lists, tuples, and mapsOrganize and reuse your code with functions and modulesUse control structures like loops and conditional statementsDraw shapes and patterns with Python's turtle moduleCreate games, animations, and other graphical wonders with tkinterWhy should serious adults have all the fun? Python for Kids is your ticket into the amazing world of computer programming.10+Includes indexIntroduces the basics of the Python programming language, covering how to use data structures, organize and reuse code, draw shapes and patterns with turtle, and create games and animations with tkinterIntroduction -- Part I : Learning to program -- Not all snakes slither -- Calculations and variables -- Strings, lists, tuples and maps -- Drawing with turtles -- Asking questions with if and else -- Going Loopy -- Recycling your code with functions and modules -- How to use classes and objects -- Python's built in functions -- Useful python modules -- More turtle graphics -- Using tkinter for better graphics -- Part II : Bounce! -- Beginning your first game : bounce! -- Finishing your first game : bounce! -- Part III : Mr. Stick man races for the exit -- Creating graphics for the Mr. Stick game -- Developing the Mr. Stick man game -- Creating Mr. Stick man -- Completing the Mr. Stick man game -- Afterword : Where to go from herexxiii, 318 pages : 24 cm.