Coding User

A Python module is a Python-created source file that contains the necessary code for classes, functions and global variables. You can bind and reference modules to extend functionality, and create even more spectacular Python programs. Are you curious about how to improve your use of these modules to add a little something extra to your code? Then read on and learn how they can be used to fashion fantastic code with graphics, animations and operating system specific commands.…

WORKING WITH DATES The Calendar module is built into Python 3. However, if for some reason it’s not installed you can add it using pip install calendar as a Windows administrator, or sudo pip install calendar for Linux and macOS. STEP 1 Launch Python 3 and enter: import calendar to call up the module and its inherent functions. Once it’s loaded into memory, start by entering: STEP 2 You can see that the days of September 2019 are displayed in a wall calendar fashion. Naturally you can change the 2019, 9 part of the second line to any year and month you want, a birthday for example (1973, 6). The first line configures TextCalendar to start its weeks on a Sunday; you can opt for Monday if you prefer. STEP…

INTO THE SYSTEM One of the primary features of the OS module is the ability to list, move, create, delete and otherwise interact with files stored on the system, making it the perfect module for backup code. STEP 1 You can start the OS module with some simple functions to see how it interacts with the operating system environment that Python is running on. If you’re using Linux or the Raspberry Pi, try this: STEP 2 The returned result from printing the variable home is the current user’s home folder on the system. In our example that’s /home/pi; it will be different depending on the user name you log in as and the operating system you use. For example, Windows 10 will output: C:\Program Files (x86)\ Python36-32. STEP 3 The…

E = MC2 The Math module provides access to a plethora of mathematical functions, from simply displaying the value of Pi, to helping you create complex 3D shapes. STEP 1 The Math module is built-in to Python 3; so there’s no need to PIP install it. As with the other modules present, you can import the module’s function by simply entering import math into the Shell, or as part of your code in the Editor. STEP 2 Importing the Math module will give you access to the module’s code. From there, you can call up any of the available functions within Math by using math, followed by the name of the function in question. For example, enter: This displays the sine of 2. STEP 3 As you will no doubt…

RANDOM NUMBERS There are numerous functions within the Random module, which when applied can create some interesting and very useful Python programs. STEP 1 Just as with other modules you need to import random before you can use any of the functions we’re going to look at in this tutorial. Let’s begin by simply printing a random number from 1 to 5: STEP 2 In our example the number four was returned. However, enter the print function a few more times and it will display different integer values from the set of numbers given, zero to five. The overall effect, although pseudorandom, is adequate for the average programmer to utilise in their code. STEP 3 For a bigger set of numbers, including floating point values, you can extend the range…

GETTING GUI Tkinter is easy to use but there’s a lot more you can do with it. Let’s start by seeing how it works and getting some code into it. Before long you will discover just how powerful this module really is. STEP 1 Tkinter is usually built into Python 3. However, if it’s available when you enter: import tkinter, then you need to pip install tkinter from the command prompt. We can start to import modules differently than before, to save on typing and by importing all their contents: STEP 2 It’s not recommended to import everything from a module using the asterisk but it won’t do any harm normally. Let’s begin by creating a basic GUI window, enter: This creates a small, basic window. There’s not much else…