book

Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python , 4th Edition

Name: Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python , 4th Edition
Author: Al Sweigart
ISBN: 9781593277956

by Al Sweigart

December 2016

Intermediate to advanced

376 pages

9h 5m

English

No Starch Press

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Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Author
About the Technical Reviewer
Brief Contents
Contents in Detail
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Who Is This Book For?About This BookHow to Use This BookLine Numbers and IndentationLong Code LinesDownloading and Installing PythonStarting IDLEFinding Help Online
Chapter 1: The Interactive Shell
Some Simple MathIntegers and Floating-Point NumbersExpressionsEvaluating ExpressionsSyntax ErrorsStoring Values in VariablesSummary

Chapter 2: Writing Programs
String ValuesString ConcatenationWriting Programs in IDLE’s File EditorCreating the Hello World ProgramSaving Your ProgramRunning Your ProgramHow the Hello World Program WorksComments for the ProgrammerFunctions: Mini-Programs Inside ProgramsThe End of the ProgramNaming VariablesSummary
Chapter 3: Guess the Number
Sample Run of Guess the NumberSource Code for Guess the NumberImporting the random ModuleGenerating Random Numbers with the random.randint() FunctionWelcoming the PlayerFlow Control StatementsUsing Loops to Repeat CodeGrouping with BlocksLooping with for StatementsGetting the Player’s GuessConverting Values with the int(), float(), and str() FunctionsThe Boolean Data TypeComparison OperatorsChecking for True or False with ConditionsExperimenting with Booleans, Comparison Operators, and ConditionsThe Difference Between = and ==if StatementsLeaving Loops Early with the break StatementChecking Whether the Player WonChecking Whether the Player LostSummary
Chapter 4: A Joke-Telling Program
Sample Run of JokesSource Code for JokesHow the Code WorksEscape CharactersSingle and Double QuotesThe print() Function’s end Keyword ParameterSummary
Chapter 5: Dragon Realm
How to Play Dragon RealmSample Run of Dragon RealmFlowchart for Dragon RealmSource Code for Dragon RealmImporting the random and time ModulesFunctions in Dragon Realmdef StatementsCalling a FunctionWhere to Put Function DefinitionsMultiline StringsHow to Loop with while StatementsBoolean OperatorsThe and OperatorThe or OperatorThe not OperatorEvaluating Boolean OperatorsReturn ValuesGlobal Scope and Local ScopeFunction ParametersDisplaying the Game ResultsDeciding Which Cave Has the Friendly DragonThe Game LoopCalling the Functions in the ProgramAsking the Player to Play AgainSummary
Chapter 6: Using the Debugger
Types of BugsThe DebuggerStarting the DebuggerStepping Through the Program with the DebuggerFinding the BugSetting BreakpointsUsing BreakpointsSummary
Chapter 7: Designing Hangman with Flowcharts
How to Play HangmanSample Run of HangmanASCII ArtDesigning a Program with a FlowchartCreating the FlowchartBranching from a Flowchart BoxEnding or Restarting the GameGuessing AgainOffering Feedback to the PlayerSummary
Chapter 8: Writing the Hangman Code
Source Code for HangmanImporting the random ModuleConstant VariablesThe Lists Data TypeAccessing Items with IndexesList ConcatenationThe in OperatorCalling MethodsThe reverse() and append() List MethodsThe split() String MethodGetting a Secret Word from the Word ListDisplaying the Board to the PlayerThe list() and range() FunctionsList and String SlicingDisplaying the Secret Word with BlanksGetting the Player’s GuessThe lower() and upper() String MethodsLeaving the while Loopelif StatementsMaking Sure the Player Entered a Valid GuessAsking the Player to Play AgainReview of the Hangman FunctionsThe Game LoopCalling the displayBoard() FunctionLetting the Player Enter Their GuessChecking Whether the Letter Is in the Secret WordChecking Whether the Player WonHandling an Incorrect GuessChecking Whether the Player LostEnding or Resetting the GameSummary
Chapter 9: Extending Hangman
Adding More GuessesThe Dictionary Data TypeGetting the Size of Dictionaries with len()The Difference Between Dictionaries and ListsThe keys() and values() Dictionary MethodsUsing Dictionaries of Words in HangmanRandomly Choosing from a ListDeleting Items from ListsMultiple AssignmentPrinting the Word Category for the PlayerSummary
Chapter 10: Tic-Tac-Toe
Sample Run of Tic-Tac-ToeSource Code for Tic-Tac-ToeDesigning the ProgramRepresenting the Board as DataStrategizing with the Game AIImporting the random ModulePrinting the Board on the ScreenLetting the Player Choose X or ODeciding Who Goes FirstPlacing a Mark on the BoardList ReferencesUsing List References in makeMove()Checking Whether the Player WonDuplicating the Board DataChecking Whether a Space on the Board Is FreeLetting the Player Enter a MoveShort-Circuit EvaluationChoosing a Move from a List of MovesThe None ValueCreating the Computer’s AIChecking Whether the Computer Can Win in One MoveChecking Whether the Player Can Win in One MoveChecking the Corner, Center, and Side Spaces (in That Order)Checking Whether the Board Is FullThe Game LoopChoosing the Player’s Mark and Who Goes FirstRunning the Player’s TurnRunning the Computer’s TurnAsking the Player to Play AgainSummary
Chapter 11: The Bagels Deduction Game
Sample Run of BagelsSource Code for BagelsFlowchart for BagelsImporting random and Defining getSecretNum()Shuffling a Unique Set of DigitsChanging List Item Order with the random.shuffle() FunctionGetting the Secret Number from the Shuffled DigitsAugmented Assignment OperatorsCalculating the Clues to GiveThe sort() List MethodThe join() String MethodChecking Whether a String Has Only NumbersStarting the GameString InterpolationThe Game LoopGetting the Player’s GuessGetting the Clues for the Player’s GuessChecking Whether the Player Won or LostAsking the Player to Play AgainSummary
Chapter 12: The Cartesian Coordinate System
Grids and Cartesian CoordinatesNegative NumbersThe Coordinate System of a Computer ScreenMath TricksTrick 1: A Minus Eats the Plus Sign on Its LeftTrick 2: Two Minuses Combine into a PlusTrick 3: Two Numbers Being Added Can Swap PlacesAbsolute Values and the abs() FunctionSummary
Chapter 13: Sonar Treasure Hunt
Sample Run of Sonar Treasure HuntSource Code for Sonar Treasure HuntDesigning the ProgramImporting the random, sys, and math ModulesCreating a New Game BoardDrawing the Game BoardDrawing the X-Coordinates Along the Top of the BoardDrawing the OceanPrinting a Row in the OceanDrawing the X-Coordinates Along the Bottom of the BoardCreating the Random Treasure ChestsDetermining Whether a Move Is ValidPlacing a Move on the BoardFinding the Closest Treasure ChestRemoving Values with the remove() List MethodGetting the Player’s MovePrinting the Game Instructions for the PlayerThe Game LoopDisplaying the Game Status for the PlayerHandling the Player’s MoveFinding a Sunken Treasure ChestChecking Whether the Player WonChecking Whether the Player LostTerminating the Program with the sys.exit() FunctionSummary
Chapter 14: Caesar Cipher
Cryptography and EncryptionHow the Caesar Cipher WorksSample Run of Caesar CipherSource Code for Caesar CipherSetting the Maximum Key LengthDeciding to Encrypt or Decrypt the MessageGetting the Message from the PlayerGetting the Key from the PlayerEncrypting or Decrypting the MessageFinding Passed Strings with the find() String MethodEncrypting or Decrypting Each LetterStarting the ProgramThe Brute-Force TechniqueAdding the Brute-Force ModeSummary
Chapter 15: The Reversegam Game
How to Play ReversegamSample Run of ReversegamSource Code for ReversegamImporting Modules and Setting Up ConstantsThe Game Board Data StructureDrawing the Board Data Structure on the ScreenCreating a Fresh Board Data StructureChecking Whether a Move Is ValidChecking Each of the Eight DirectionsFinding Out Whether There Are Tiles to Flip OverChecking for Valid CoordinatesGetting a List with All Valid MovesCalling the bool() FunctionGetting the Score of the Game BoardGetting the Player’s Tile ChoiceDetermining Who Goes FirstPlacing a Tile on the BoardCopying the Board Data StructureDetermining Whether a Space Is on a CornerGetting the Player’s MoveGetting the Computer’s MoveStrategizing with Corner MovesGetting a List of the Highest-Scoring MovesPrinting the Scores to the ScreenStarting the GameChecking for a StalemateRunning the Player’s TurnRunning the Computer’s TurnThe Game LoopAsking the Player to Play AgainSummary
Chapter 16: Reversegam AI Simulation
Making the Computer Play Against ItselfSample Run of Simulation 1Source Code for Simulation 1Removing the Player Prompts and Adding a Computer PlayerMaking the Computer Play Itself Several TimesSample Run of Simulation 2Source Code for Simulation 2Keeping Track of Multiple GamesCommenting Out print() Function CallsUsing Percentages to Grade the AIsComparing Different AI AlgorithmsSource Code for Simulation 3How the AIs Work in Simulation 3Comparing the AIsSummary
Chapter 17: Creating Graphics
Installing pygameHello World in pygameSample Run of pygame Hello WorldSource Code for pygame Hello WorldImporting the pygame ModuleInitializing pygameSetting Up the pygame WindowTuplesSurface ObjectsSetting Up Color VariablesWriting Text on the pygame WindowUsing Fonts to Style TextRendering a Font ObjectSetting the Text Location with Rect AttributesFilling a Surface Object with a Colorpygame’s Drawing FunctionsDrawing a PolygonDrawing a LineDrawing a CircleDrawing an EllipseDrawing a RectangleColoring PixelsThe blit() Method for Surface ObjectsDrawing the Surface Object to the ScreenEvents and the Game LoopGetting Event ObjectsExiting the ProgramSummary
Chapter 18: Animating Graphics
Sample Run of the Animation ProgramSource Code for the Animation ProgramMoving and Bouncing the BoxesSetting Up the Constant VariablesConstant Variables for DirectionConstant Variables for ColorSetting Up the Box Data StructuresThe Game LoopHandling When the Player QuitsMoving Each BoxBouncing a BoxDrawing the Boxes on the Window in Their New PositionsDrawing the Window on the ScreenSummary
Chapter 19: Collision Detection
Sample Run of the Collision Detection ProgramSource Code for the Collision Detection ProgramImporting the ModulesUsing a Clock to Pace the ProgramSetting Up the Window and Data StructuresSetting Up Variables to Track MovementHandling EventsHandling the KEYDOWN EventHandling the KEYUP EventTeleporting the PlayerAdding New Food SquaresMoving the Player Around the WindowDrawing the Player on the WindowChecking for CollisionsDrawing the Food Squares on the WindowSummary
Chapter 20: Using Sounds and Images
Adding Images with SpritesSound and Image FilesSample Run of the Sprites and Sounds ProgramSource Code for the Sprites and Sounds ProgramSetting Up the Window and the Data StructureAdding a SpriteChanging the Size of a SpriteSetting Up the Music and SoundsAdding Sound FilesToggling the Sound On and OffDrawing the Player on the WindowChecking for CollisionsDrawing the Cherries on the WindowSummary
Chapter 21: A Dodger Game with Sounds and Images
Review of the Basic pygame Data TypesSample Run of DodgerSource Code for DodgerImporting the ModulesSetting Up the Constant VariablesDefining FunctionsEnding and Pausing the GameKeeping Track of Baddie CollisionsDrawing Text to the WindowInitializing pygame and Setting Up the WindowSetting Up Font, Sound, and Image ObjectsDisplaying the Start ScreenStarting the GameThe Game LoopHandling Keyboard EventsHandling Mouse MovementAdding New BaddiesMoving the Player’s Character and the BaddiesImplementing the Cheat CodesRemoving the BaddiesDrawing the WindowDrawing the Player’s ScoreDrawing the Player’s Character and BaddiesChecking for CollisionsThe Game Over ScreenModifying the Dodger GameSummary
Index
Resources
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
Don’t Just Play Games—Make Them!

Overview

Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python will teach you how to make computer games using the popular Python programming language--even if you've never programmed before!

Begin by building classic games like Hangman, Guess the Number, and Tic-Tac-Toe, and then work your way up to more advanced games, like a text-based treasure hunting game and an animated collision-dodging game with sound effects. Along the way, you'll learn key programming and math concepts that will help you take your game programming to the next level.

Learn how to:

Combine loops, variables, and flow control statements into real working programs
Choose the right data structures for the job, such as lists, dictionaries, and tuples
Add graphics and animation to your games with the pygame module
Handle keyboard and mouse input
Program simple artificial intelligence so you can play against the computer
Use cryptography to convert text messages into secret code
Debug your programs and find common errors

As you work through each game, you'll build a solid foundation in Python and an understanding of computer science fundamentals.

What new game will you create with the power of Python?

The projects in this book are compatible with Python 3.

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