Learn Python Visually: Creative Coding with Processing.py
- 3h 56m
- Tristan Bunn
- No Starch Press
- 2021
The perfect book for first-time programmers, Learn Python Visually introduces the fundamentals of computer coding within a visual, graphics-based context. Tristan Bunn’s creative teaching approach will help you visualize core programming concepts as you make cool pictures, animations, and simulations using Python Mode for the open source Processing development environment.
From the very first chapter, you’ll produce and manipulate colorful designs as Bunn walks you through a series of easy-to-follow graphical coding projects that grow increasingly complex. You’ll progress from drawing with code to animating a bouncing DVD screensaver to creating interactive programs. Along the way, you’ll encounter skill-building challenges on topics as diverse as video games, coffee, fine art, amoebas, and Pink Floyd.
You’ll learn how to:
- Apply basic coding theories and concepts, like variables, data types, pixel coordinates, control flow, and algorithms
- Write code that produces drawings, patterns, animations, data visualizations, user interfaces, and simulations
- Use code to explore randomness, handle CSV and JSON data, and generate animations that employ trigonometry for periodic motion and Lissajous curves
- Define functions, reduce repetition, and make your code more modular
- Write classes and create objects to structure code more efficiently
If you’ve ever dreamed of coding for data visualizations, computer-generated art, games, or other creative technologies, Learn Python Visually is the entry point you need.
About the Author
Tristan Bunn kicked off his web design career back in the days of PlayStation 1, grunge music, and dial-up modems. Since then, he’s worked on a diverse range of digital projects for varied clients. He’s currently involved in lecturing, research, and work that blends code, interaction, interface design, and creativity. Bunn has years of experience teaching coding for art, games, web, and other creative technologies.
In this Book
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Introduction
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Hello, World!
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Drawing More Complicated Shapes
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Introduction to Strings and Working with Text
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Conditional Statements
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Iteration and Randomness
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Motion and Transformation
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Working with Lists and Reading Data
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Dictionaries and JSON
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Functions and Periodic Motion
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Object-Oriented Programming and PVector
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Mouse and Keyboard Interaction
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Afterword
