Raspberry Pi Cookbook, 3rd Edition

Preface to the Third Edition

Launched in 2011, the Raspberry Pi has found a role both as a very low-cost Linux-based computer and as a platform for embedded computing. It has proven popular with educators and hobbyists alike.

As of this writing, more than 20 million Raspberry Pis have been sold. The Raspberry Pi 4 with an option of 4 GB of performance makes the Raspberry Pi more than powerful enough to use as a replacement for a desktop computer. The availability of open source software for internet browsing, email, office suites, and photo editing is set to make the Raspberry Pi even more popular.

Even the latest Raspberry Pi 4 still includes the general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins that allow the hobbyist to add their own electronic contraptions to the Raspberry Pi.

This edition has been thoroughly updated to encompass the new models of Raspberry Pi, as well as the many changes and improvements to its Raspbian operating system. There are also new chapters on sound and home automation.

This book is designed so that you can read it linearly, as you would a regular book, or access recipes at random. You can search the table of contents or index for the recipe that you want and then jump directly to it. If the recipe requires you to know about other things, it will refer you to other recipes, rather like a cookbook might refer you to base sauces before showing you how to cook something fancier.

The world of Raspberry Pi moves quickly. With a large, active community, new interface ...