Raspberry Pi LESSON 3: Python Essentials in One Session

Announcing the Most Awesome Raspberry Pi Lessons of All Times! This time we RUMBLE!

In this class series, we will be using the most excellent Sunfounder Ultimate Raspberry Pi kit, available here: (Affiliate Link)

In this lesson I will take you through the essentials of python in a one hour lesson. This will teach you how to program in python.

You guys get your hardware ordered so you can follow along at home!

You will also need a Raspberry Pi. I suggest the Raspberry Pi 4. If you do not already have one, this is the most suitable gear I could find:

The Raspberry Pi's are sort of pricy right now, so you can look on ebay or elsewhere to see if there are any deals. You will need a SD card. If you do not already have one, this is a good one:

I like using a wireless keyboard and mouse to have fewer wires. You can certainly use your USB keyboard and mouse, but if you want a nice wireless one, this one works on the pi.

You guys can help me out over at Patreon, and that will help me keep my gear updated, and help me keep this quality content coming:

#PYTHON
#RESISTTHEMETAVERSE
#RASPBERRYPI

[jaguarofoz]

As usual, it is a very good series of tutorials.

I have been going through Arduino lessons version I and II

Paul you are a great teacher particularly for a slow learner like me. You’re right, no one is left behind in your classes.

[jonathan_beattie]

This lessons is pack full of great information. So much so that i went into brain overload. I ended up watching the python lessons playlist. Its more broke down and not as much to take in all at once. So anyone having difficulties may want to consider that.

[abhijeetdhulekar]

The way you edify that is marvelous. all video series very helpful for beginner as well.

[tomsanders]

Spectacular intro to Python. Thank you.

[mannykhan]

Hi Paul, you are doing an incredible job for everyone. Keep up the good work.

[charlotteswift]

I’m adding this comment to tutorial 3 even though it mostly pertains to tutorial 2 because most people don’t go back to read the comments after they’ve watched the tutorial.
In the terminal, Paul referred to the name after the ‘@’ as the machine name or name of your raspberry pi. I prefer to think of it as the SD card name because you can move it from one pi to another. I have previously said that I put little tabs on my SD cards and keep a list of what they’re for but you can change the hostname as well. My hostnames are SDCardA, NatureWatch, Buster32 etc. It means that you can tell which SD card you’re using even when you’re ssh-ing in.


I find the <tab> key very useful. For example, if you’re in the root directory, you can type cd h <tab> p <tab> Doc <tab> to get to /home/pi/Documents.

Or, if you’ve created a file called thisIsAVeryLongFilename.txt you can edit it with nano this <tab>


Anyone else got any helpful tips? Would you like me to shut up?

[davidschnider]

thank you, Paul. "I am legend" not! .. but I did complete the homework assignment... Thanks so much for this introduction to Python. I am looking forward to learning more.. and IMPLEMENTING what I've learned in REAL life projects.. . SunFounder and beyond.

What a bonus blessing to be taught by a Brother in Christ. God bless you, Paul and thanks again.

[ciaranmccallion]

I am legend! With a lot of hard work 😓 I put the grades into a relay list with a while loop and then used a for loop to add them up in order to then divide for an average. Great lesson, a lot of information which I watched segments over and over to get full grasp of things. Thanks Paul, you are legend!

[michaelberry]

For anyone watching this in the future - you no longer need to input "python3" to get Python 3 to run. By default the system runs Python 3 simply by entering "python."

[codecage]

I am LEGEND, even if not starting this series of lessons nearly 9 months after its initial introduction!

[Encathar]

I am legend! If also 2 years too late to the party :) trying to do this now with the pi5 :) good luck, y'all! great series so far! such a methodical teaching!

[TradersTradingEdge]

Hi Paul. Thanks so much for your excellent lessons and professional videos.
Here's a little hint: To clear the scren in the shell, use CTRL+L. This also works in Python command mode.
Keep it up and have a wonderful day

[Ultradude]

Hello World! 😁 Following along Mr McWhorter's lesson on my Pi400 here. Got my Sunfounder kit on my side. Learning so much already. Thank you, Mr McWhorter! God bless you!

[opalprestonshirley]

Enjoyed the refresher lesson, Paul. It really helps get rid of the cobwebs. Have a great trip and you stay safe.

[sesoft]

Hi Paul,
I love the way you are teaching. I become a big fan of you... 😍

[dphair]

Thank you Paul. I purchased a Raspberry Pi and a Sunfounder kit in order to try Linux for projects and as an alternate to Windows. Your format is very helpful as it does not assume that I know anything and I can move along at my own pace. I'm looking forward to exploring the Sunfounder kit with you.

[ideas_for_life_]

thank you sir! I appreciate your work.

[tpobrienjr]

Thanks for a great lesson. Glad you covered some of the quirky things about Python.

[jtmnyallbudsnoseeds]

numGrades = int(input('How Many Grades: '))
X = []
Y = []
For i in range(0, numGrades, 1):
myGrades = int(input('Input Your Grades: '))
sum_of_x = sum(x)
for I in range(0, 1, 1):
y.append(sum(x))
average = sum(y) / numGrades
for I in range(0, 1, 1):
Print('Your Average Is: ')
Print(average)

That took me way longer than i felt it should have. Thank god for Visual Code Studio

[larrypaige]

I folded up like a lawn chair for a few hours then I became a legend! Looking forward to the next lesson. Great content.