Book Reviews - Python Programming for Raspberry Pi

In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, Sams Teach Yourself Python Programming for Raspberry Pi in 24 Hours teaches you Python programming on Raspberry Pi, so you can start creating awesome projects for home automation, home theater, gaming, and more. Using this book’s straightforward, step-by-step approach, you’ll move from the absolute basics all the way through network and web connections, multimedia, and even connecting with electronic circuits for sensing and robotics. Every lesson and case study application builds on what you’ve already learned, giving you a rock-solid foundation for real-world success!
Step-by-step instructions carefully walk you through the most common Raspberry Pi Python programming tasks.
Quizzes at the end of each chapter help you test your knowledge.
By the Way notes present interesting information related to the discussion.
Did You Know? tips offer advice or show you easier ways to perform tasks.
Watch Out! cautions alert you to possible problems and give you advice on how to avoid them.

• Get your Raspberry Pi and choose the right low-cost peripherals
• Set up Raspian Linux and the Python programming environment
• Learn Python basics, including arithmetic and structured commands
• Master Python 3 lists, tuples, dictionaries, sets, strings, files, and modules
• Reuse the same Python code in multiple locations with functions
• Manipulate string data efficiently with regular expressions
• Practice simple object-oriented programming techniques
• Use exception handling to make your code more reliable
• Program modern graphical user interfaces with Raspberry Pi and OpenGL
• Create Raspberry Pi games with the PyGame library
• Learn network, web, and database techniques you can also use in business software
• Write Python scripts that send email
• Interact with other devices through Raspberry Pi’s GPIO interface
• Walk through example Raspberry Pi projects that inspire you to do even more

Part I: Python Programming on the Raspberry Pi
HOUR 1: Setting Up the Raspberry Pi
Obtaining a Raspberry Pi
Acquiring a Raspberry Pi
Determining the Necessary Peripherals
Nice Additional Peripherals
Deciding How to Purchase Peripherals
Getting Your Raspberry Pi Working
Troubleshooting Your Raspberry Pi
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 2: Understanding the Raspbian Linux Distribution
Learning About Linux
Interacting with the Raspbian Command Line
Interacting with the Raspbian GUI
The LXDE Graphical Interface
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 3: Setting Up a Programming Environment
Exploring Python
Checking Your Python Environment
Installing Python and Tools
Learning About the Python Interpreter
Learning About the Python Interactive Shell
Learning About the Python Development Environment
Creating and Running Python Scripts
Knowing Which Tool to Use and When
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Part II: Python Fundamentals
HOUR 4: Understanding Python Basics
Producing Python Script Output
Formatting Scripts for Readability
Understanding Python Variables
Assigning Value to Python Variables
Learning About Python Data Types
Allowing Python Script Input
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 5: Using Arithmetic in Your Programs
Working with Math Operators
Calculating with Fractions
Using Complex Number Math
Getting Fancy with the math Module
Using the NumPy Math Libraries
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 6: Controlling Your Program
Working with the if Statement
Grouping Multiple Statements
Adding Other Options with the else Statement
Adding More Options Using the elif Statement
Comparing Values in Python
Checking Complex Conditions
Negating a Condition Check
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 7: Learning About Loops
Performing Repetitive Tasks
Using the for Loop for Iteration
Using the while Loop for Iteration
Creating Nested Loops
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Part III: Advanced Python
HOUR 8: Using Lists and Tuples
Introducing Tuples
Introducing Lists
Using Multidimensional Lists to Store Data
Working with Lists and Tuples in Your Scripts
Creating Lists by Using List Comprehensions
Working with Ranges
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 9: Dictionaries and Sets
Understanding Python Dictionary Terms
Exploring Dictionary Basics
Programming with Dictionaries
Understanding Python Sets
Exploring Set Basics
Obtaining Information from a Set
Modifying a Set
Programming with Sets
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 10: Working with Strings
The Basics of Using Strings
Using Functions to Manipulate Strings
Formatting Strings for Output
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 11: Using Files
Understanding Linux File Structures
Managing Files and Directories via Python
Opening a File
Reading a File
Closing a File
Writing to a File
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 12: Creating Functions
Utilizing Python Functions in Your Programs
Returning a Value
Passing Values to Functions
Handling Variables in a Function
Using Lists with Functions
Using Recursion with Functions
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 13: Working with Modules
Introducing Module Concepts
Exploring Standard Modules
Learning About Python Modules
Creating Custom Modules
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 14: Exploring the World of Object-Oriented Programming
Understanding the Basics of Object-Oriented Programming
Defining Class Methods
Sharing Your Code with Class Modules
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 15: Employing Inheritance
Learning About the Class Problem
Understanding Subclasses and Inheritance
Using Inheritance in Python
Using Inheritance in Python Scripts
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 16: Regular Expressions
What Are Regular Expressions?
Working with Regular Expressions in Python
The match() Function
The search() Function
The findall() and finditer() Functions
Defining Basic Patterns
Using Advanced Regular Expressions Features
Working with Regular Expressions in Your Python Scripts
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 17: Exception Handling
Understanding Exceptions
Handling Exceptions
Handling Multiple Exceptions
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Part IV: Graphical Programming
HOUR 18: GUI Programming
Programming for a GUI Environment
Examining Python GUI Packages
Using the tkinter Package
Exploring the tkinter Widgets
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 19: Game Programming
Understanding Game Programming
Learning About Game Tools
Setting Up the PyGame Library
Using PyGame
Learning More About PyGame
Dealing with PyGame Action
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Part V: Business Programming
HOUR 20: Using the Network
Finding the Python Network Modules
Working with Email Servers
Working with Web Servers
Linking Programs Using Socket Programming
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 21: Using Databases in Your Programming
Working with the MySQL Database
Using the PostgreSQL Database
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 22: Web Programming
Running a Web Server on the Pi
Programming with the Common Gateway Interface
Expanding Your Python Webpages
Processing Forms
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Part VI: Raspberry Pi Python Projects
HOUR 23: Creating Basic Pi/Python Projects
Thinking About Basic Pi/Python Projects
Displaying HD Images via Python
Playing Music
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
HOUR 24: Working with Advanced Pi/Python Projects
Exploring the GPIO Interface
Using the RPi.GPIO Module
Controlling GPIO Output
Detecting GPIO Input

Book Reviews - Python Programming for Raspberry Pi