This document introduces a Python coding initiative at the Brixton Library for adults. It provides information about meeting times and contacts, as well as a detailed overview of the Python programming language, its history and uses. Participants are encouraged to register for an associated free online Coursera course and attend Saturday sessions at the library for assistance and collaboration.

1. Welcome to the Brixton Library
Technology Initiative
(Coding for Adults)
ZCDixon@lambeth.gov.uk
BasilBibi@hotmail.com
January 9th 2016
Introduction

2. General Information & Introductions
• Facilities at the library.
• Opening Times.
• Contact List.
• Who we are.
• Who are you.
• Do you have programming experience?
(absolute beginners with no experience are welcome here - you will need simple arithmetic +-/*)
• Why do you want to learn to Python?

3. Python
• Python is a widely used general-purpose, high-level
programming language.
• Its design philosophy emphasizes code readability, and its
syntax allows programmers to express concepts in fewer
lines of code than would be possible in languages such as
C++ or Java.
• The language provides constructs intended to enable
clear programs on both a small and large scale.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_(programming_language)

4. History
Started in December 1989 by Guido van Rossum
in the Netherlands – still maintains control over
development – nicknamed benevolent dictator
for life (BDFL).
“I was looking for a ‘hobby’ programming
project that would keep me occupied during the
week around Christmas.
I chose Python as a working title for the
project, being in a slightly irreverent mood
(and a big fan of Monty Python’s Flying Circus).”

5. Python
• Version 2.0 was released on 16 October 2000 became more
transparent and community-backed.
• Since 2003, Python has consistently ranked in the top ten
most popular programming languages as measured by the
TIOBE Programming Community Index.
• An empirical study found that scripting languages (such as
Python) more productive than conventional languages (such
as C and Java) for a programming problem involving string
manipulation and search in a dictionary.

6. Who uses it.
• Large organizations that make use of Python
include Google, Yahoo!, CERN, NASA, most of
the large international banks and financial
institutions, comms and media giants etc...
• The Raspberry Pi single-board
computer project has adopted Python as its
principal user-programming language.

7. Programming Styles
• Python supports multiple programming paradigms, including object
oriented, imperative, procedural and functional styles.
• Object oriented – break down the problem into separate objects
containing code like Car, Cat, Person.
• Imperative – code statements that change a program’s state like a
recipe or a script.
• Procedural – decompose the problem into subroutines e.g.
calculateVAT, returnLibraryBook
• Functional – A more advanced form of procedural coding (Lambda
Calculus)

8. Python Applications
• The Python community and software houses
have written many ready to use and free libraries
for specialised problem domains including
mathematics, communications, websites, science,
high performance computing , music, graphics
and art, social media and advanced engineering.
• Python's functional programming capability has
enabled it's use in Big Data applications.

9. Fun to use
• An important goal of Python developers is
making Python fun to use.
This is reflected in the origin of the name,
which comes from Monty Python, and in an
occasionally playful approach to tutorials and
reference materials, such as using examples
that refer to spam and eggs instead of the
standard ‘foo’ and ‘bar’.

10. “Pythonic”
• A common expression in the Python community
is pythonic, which can have a wide range of meanings
related to program style. To say that code is pythonic is
to say that it uses Python well, that it is natural or
shows fluency in the language, that it conforms with
Python's minimalist philosophy and emphasis on
readability.
• Users and admirers of Python—especially those
considered knowledgeable or experienced—are often
referred to as Pythonists, Pythonistas, and Pythoneers.

11. The Zen of Python
• Beautiful is better than ugly.
• Explicit is better than implicit.
• Simple is better than complex.
• Complex is better than complicated.
• Flat is better than nested.
• Sparse is better than dense.
• Readability counts.
• Errors should never pass silently.
• There should be one- and preferably only one -obvious way to do it.
• Although that way may not be obvious at first unless you're Dutch.
• Now is better than never.
• Although never is often better than right now.
• If the implementation is hard to explain, it's a bad idea.
• If the implementation is easy to explain, it may be a good idea

12. What it takes to be a Good Programmer
• Things usually go wrong with our code (bugs)
A good programmer :
1. Expects to make mistakes.
2. Tries to understand why their code is not working
properly (debugging) – be strong don’t give up :)
3. Uses books, Google, online references , forums and
peers to find solutions to coding problems.
4. Writes tests to prove their code works.
5. Zen Of Python.
6. Be considerate, help and encourage others, be
humble.

13. The Course
• Hosted by Coursera – written at Rice University USA
• Free (certificate costs $30)
• Browser based
• Peer assessed and certified. Roadmap.
• https://www.coursera.org/course/interactivepython1
• Please register for free participation on the
course.

14. Participation At Brixton Library
• Saturdays from 1000 til 1600
• Please email Zoey and me to let us know you
are coming. If no one is able to make it on a
certain day there is no need for us to turn up.
• Email me with technical questions or
guidance. The course has rich forums and
help.

15. Resources
• https://www.python.org/
• http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
• http://importpython.com/books/
256 browsable python books - many free.
• https://www.quora.com/Python-programming-language-
1/What-are-the-best-books-courses-for-learning-Python
• https://www.quora.com/Which-online-Python-course-is-
the-best

16. Lets Get Started
• Register now.
• https://www.coursera.org/course/interactivepython1