A look at how to, and why you should, use functions in your Python programs.

Young Programmers Podcast

Introduction to Python Functions

We enhance the quiz program by reading the questions and answers from a file. Source code

A Simple Python Quiz Program, Part 3

Let’s look at two very nice features of Tynker. The physics feature allows you to have falling objects and accurate projectile motion, combined with adjustments for gravity, friction, density, gravity, and much more. Cloning lets you have multiple instances of actors (like Scratch sprites), without having to duplicate code.

Tynker—Physics and Cloning

This lesson creates a simple calculator using a dictionary to look up functions for operators. The point is to practice more with dictionaries, and to learn about higher-order functions.Source code

Simple Python Calculator using a Dictionary and Functions for Operators

Showing how to create multiple turtles in Kojo, and make them wander around. Uses Scala features map and foreach.

Kojo Wandering Turtles

We show how to use Python's input function to get numbers, without the program breaking if something other than a number is entered.

Using Python's Input Function with Numbers

We respond to a viewer question and add features to limit the number of questions displayed, and to display the questions that were answered wrong.

A Simple Python Quiz Program, Part 2

How to make special sound effects using the free audio program Audacity. A small correction: I said that a 13-semitone change would move the pitch an octave, but it is actually 12. There are 12 different notes, and to move an octave you move 12 times to get back to the same note of the scale.

Demonstration of Audacity for Making Sound Effects

Carter Sande teaches how to use functions to a class at Diablo Valley College College for Kids. A couple of notes on this excellent presentation: At one point Carter says “brackets” when he means parentheses. And for style, I prefer spaces around operators, and whitespace around functions.

Carter Sande Teaches Python Functions

We add a feature limiting the number of times an event can occur.

Python Simple Text Adventure 3

A demonstration of Kojo's repeat, forward, right, def, setPosition, and setAnimationDelay commands used to draw random polygons.

Kojo (Scala) Random Polygon Drawing

Part Two. Using a package and classes, we move most of the game logic into a game "engine." Source code: https://github.com/dcbriccetti/python-lessons.

Python Simple Text Adventure 2

Using tuples and a dictionary, places and transitions, create a simple text adventure game. Source code.

Python Simple Text Adventure

Learn about lists, tuples, and shuffling lists, while writing a simple question and answer program. Source code. Video.

A Simple Python Quiz Program

Hilary Mason of bit.ly talks about her work and how she got started with computers.

Interviews With Professional Programmers, Part Six

A video podcast for computer programmers in grades 3 and up. We learn about Scratch, Tynker, Alice, Python, Pygame, and Scala, and interview interesting programmers. From professional software developer and teacher Dave Briccetti, and many special guests.

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Young Programmers Podcast

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