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Jupyter / Mario using ipythonblocks

It's me, MARIO! - Made using ipythonblocks inside Jupyter

So far, my programming experience using Python inside Jupyter Notebook has been really exciting for the last few days. Well, it's totally unlike my previous exploration where I need to start from writing on text and trying to run the program from Terminal / Command Prompt.

To reach the state where I am , there are quite some "hickups" along the way, here are my personal Python history:
  • I use Windows mainly on my main computer. I do have MacBookPro laptop and familiar with OS X. When I decided to start learning Python, I was shocked that Windows 7 do not have Python installed by default. 
  • So, for Windows, we are very likely need to install our own Python, from the official Python website, we can easily download and install Python. However, you will find there are Python 2.7 and Python 3.5. Be aware of those two.
  • Apple OS X has Python pre-installed and the working environment is Linux like. Mac OS X user will eventually be familiar with Terminal and Bash and all that.
  • Soon enough, we will learn that to write Python, we cannot rely on IDLE, we need proper Text Editor with syntax highlighting. So I actually choose Sublime Text. And still my favourite. With Sublime Text, we can instantly build Python code and run from its awesome text editor.
  • Beginners, will also eventually learn to install Python module, using PIP. 
  • Here and there, we will find that sometimes we need Python 2 and sometimes Python 3, many old modules are compatible only for Python 2, not Python 3. It could be painful, but there are always solutions.
  • Fast forward, few years later today, things are slowly heading to Python 3. 
  • Now, it's early 2016, and I got the first taste of iPython Notebook, which is already a Jupyter Notebook incarnation, and I think for me this changes everything!
I gotta say, Jupyter Notebook is just another tool, but a pretty good one. Maybe beginner programmer, intermediate or expert could find this so called "narrative programming" notebook quite interesting and useful especially for self-learning or for presenting the fun side of programming.

SO MANY MODULES SO LITTLE TIME...

There are MANY modules for Python out there. It's a blessing and curse.

Some modules are outdated, some are more popular than the rest. If you are reading many Python books at libraries, occasionally the book requires you to use their Python "module" to help explaining the contents of the book, which is all basically about programming and Python.

Random explorations... and programming can get exhausting really fast. We need some kind of aim here. So, again back to my original drive to write this blog: to find the meaning in general programming.
  • I always have BIG interest in Design and Visualization, especially using computer aid and programming to make data looks beautiful (ok, mostly data can be boring, but we need to see far beyond spreadsheet)
  • I am particularly impressed by Wolfram Language and Knowledge Based, I think Stephen Wolfram has interesting vision about computing.
  • Interactive programming is very interesting. Not that I am lack of patient, but it is in tandem with Bret Victor thinking.
  • I love Python programming language (Python is also somewhat applicable for my professional career as CG artist, Python is used in Blender, Nuke, Maya, Houdini, etc)
  • I just love learning and discovering, observing tools and see what the tool can do, and how it works, maybe I could come up with something interesting.
So for above reasons, I am still continuously happy to drill programming. Not that I am planning to be an expert in programming. In fact quite the opposite, I am still a noob, but a curious noob.

I'm just hoping that I keep finding the right path.

START WITH DRAWING PIXELS...

Now, if you are following this blog from the start, I actually was not planning to use Jupyter Notebook. This blog was originally going to be my notes on Wolfram Language and Wolfram Alpha and maybe to store my random thought on all kind of programming language I have interest in (Python, Processing, ChucK).

However, by accident, I stumbled into iPython Notebook / Jupyter Notebook while exploring Python for Data Science. It's another very lucky accident.

I <3 EMOJI
Some computer users got into programming because they love to see moving colorful pixel on screen. I am one of them. And computer can make sound and even imitate robotic or natural human voice and produce 3D graphics animation (check Blender open source 3D, that also uses Python).



Funnily enough, the other day I stumbled into this one interesting module. Simple basic module to drill and understand some Python concepts, and you can use blocks of color (like pixel):


So, ok for the most basic, you can start by exploring PIXEL and COLOR using ipythonblocks. Create some interesting patterns. Share it. Study how other makes a certain pattern. Get used to the idea of grid and list and loop.
http://ipythonblocks.org/

Once again, Jupyter Notebook is great for this because it allows user to write program code, quick snippet of script, to write notes, and to see the INPUT - OUTPUT, interactively, and directly inside a single note. Make a habit of writing and documenting your programming journey. Organization and writing down notes, or drawing doodles along the way are actually as important as the destination.

Jupter Notebook is a simple workflow, but quite brilliant.






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