Learn Python

Python is an easy to read, easy to write language which we teach in Year 8 and use extensively in the GCSE and A Level Computer Science courses.

Python Code To Know GCSE and A Level (1)

Python Courses online – pick one and work through examples.

Most have an embedded interpreter and self-marking tests – on some you will need to register to save your progress (use your school email address, but a different password to your school login, obviously)

• https://www.pythonsponge.com/ << new! some nice drag n drop activities but also more complex examples
• https://missionencodeable.com/get-started << new!! good set of beginner tutorials
• NEW – Computer Science Circles – interactive Python code with some good explanations and automatic grading
• https://groklearning.com/ – Sign up for free
• https://hourofpython.com/
• https://www.learnpython.org/
• https://futurecoder.io/ << new!
• https://www.codecademy.com/learn/python – Some sections are paid for but a good introduction
• https://snakify.org/ – some good examples but lots of Ads

Python Interpreters online

The following are online Python IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) – meaning you don’t have to install Python on your own computer

https://repl.it/languages/python << not as flexible or reliable as it once was

https://trinket.io/ << good for quick examples (can’t install modules though like flask)

Download Python for use at home

However, for the more serious coder, who maybe wants to explore other libraries that are available to Python (and there are thousands!) then you will need to download and install the program. Don’t worry, it’s free!

https://www.python.org/downloads/

You many want to investigate installing Pygame – a fun library for 2D game programming – although currently this only works with Python 2 (more info can be found here http://programarcadegames.com/)

To install libraries such as pygame and Flask on your laptop or computer you need to type the following into the command line:

pip install pygame

or  pip install flask (Search the internet for more information!)

In order to use a GUI (graphical user interface) that has buttons/text boxes & popups which are easy to do in Visual Basic & Javascript you will need to use special libraries. The default one that comes preloaded in Python is called Tkinter but there are other easier ones to use such as appJar and guizero, but these require libraries to be installed before they can be used.

More advanced courses – e.g. A Level Computer Science

https://learn.edx.org/mit-python/ sign up required and quite an involved course – ideal for A Level students

https://www.udemy.com/complete-python-bootcamp/ (PAID)

A useful book