Raspberry Pi For Kids For Dummies

Chapter 8

Get Started with Python

Computer experts enjoy creating new programming languages. While you literally have hundreds of languages to choose from, at any given time, only a few are popular.

This project introduces a popular language called Python. Unlike some programming languages, Python is easy to learn and use. But it’s also a real grown-up language used by grown-ups for real work. If you learn Python, you’ll be on your way to creating software you can sell.

Meet Python

Scratch is a good way to start learning about making computers do what you want, but it’s just a beginning. There’s a lot you can’t do with Scratch. For example, you can’t create your own desktop windows, search web pages for information, or send Tweets.

For bigger and smarter projects, you need a bigger and smarter way to give your computer instructions, which you can do in lots of ways. One of the most popular methods is to type your instructions using a programming language. A programming language takes your instructions and tries to understand them. If your instructions make sense, the programming language tells the chips and other parts of the computer what they need to do.

Programming languages save you time because you don’t have to think about all the complicated things the computer is doing while it works. You can use instructions that look a bit like English, and the programming language ...