[Tutor] Fwd: Interesting book: "Python GUI Programming with Tkinter"

[Markos]

Hi Bob,

I'm (re) starting to learn Python and I'm very interested in using 
Tkinter, because I already have some experience with Tcl/Tk.

Thank you for your comments,

Markos



-------- Mensagem encaminhada --------
Assunto: 	[Tutor] Interesting book: "Python GUI Programming with Tkinter"
Data: 	Fri, 20 Sep 2019 23:34:45 -0500
De: 	boB Stepp <robertvstepp at gmail.com>
Para: 	tutor <tutor at python.org>



I have been enjoying working with the book "Python GUI Programming
with Tkinter -- Develop responsive and powerful GUI applications with
Tkinter" by Alan D. Moore, c. 2018, published by Packt.

At the time of the book's writing Python 3.6.4 was current, though the
author frequently mentions the imminent arrival of Python 3.7 by
publishing time.  The book uses Tcl/Tk 8.6 though the author takes
pain to mention when something is 8.6 specific.  It emphasizes the use
of the ttk widgets, which typically give a more modern look and feel
than the tk widgets.  It does not cover tix widgets at all other than
mentioning they should be considered deprecated in terms of providing
a modern look and feel.

I like the approach the author is taking.  He states you are a
programmer for the fictional company ABQ AgriLabs.  You are assigned
the project of developing a simple data entry form which stores the
data as a CSV file.  The idea is to make data entry for the lab
technicians easier, quicker and error resistant.  Starting from this
beginning you are introduced to most of the functionality of tkinter.
The book assumes a basic grasp of Python 3 from the reader, including
the ability to write custom classes.  As your simple data entry form
gets used and receives user feedback from the fictional lab techs,
your program grows in scope.  The author addresses how to handle this
growth intelligently and speaks to good design and programming
practices.  By the end of the book your program has a PostgreSQL
backend, connects to the cloud, uses asynchronous program where
appropriate, uses both unit and integration testing and is packaged
for either PyPI or distributed as an executable for Windows, Mac or
Linux.

The author sometimes is brief, but other than basic Python knowledge
seems to assume nothing else on the part of the reader.  So, for
instance, he gives a crash course in SQL and relational databases
before getting into developing the database backend for PostgreSQL.
I'm several chapters into the book and feel I have learned a lot.

A coarse table of contents:

Preface
Ch. 1:  Introduction to Tkinter
     Introducing Tkinter and Tk
     Introducing IDLE  # Uses as an example of what can be done with tkinter.
     Creating a Tkinter Hello World

Ch. 2:  Designing GUI Applications with Tkinter
     A problem at ABQ AgriLabs
     Documenting specification requirements
     Designing the application

Ch. 3:  Creating Basic Forms with Tkinter and ttk Widgets
     Evaluating our technology choices
     Exploring Tkinter widgets
     Implementing the application

Ch. 4:  Reducing User Error with Validation and Automation
     Validating user input
     Validation in Tkinter
     Implementing validated widgets in our form
     Automating input

Ch. 5:  Planning for the Expansion of Our Application
     Separating concerns
         The MVC pattern
     Structuring our application directory
     Splitting our application into multiple  files
     Using version control software  # Gives a quick intro to Git

Ch. 6:  Creating Menus with Menu and Tkinter Dialogs
     Solving problems in our application
     Implementing simple Tkinter dialogs
     Designing our menu
     Making our settings work
         Persisting settings  # Introduces json for this purpose

Ch. 7:  Navigating Records with Treeview
     Implementing read and update in the model
     Implementing a record list view
     Modifying the record form for read and update
     Updating the rest of the application

Ch. 8:  Improving the Look with Styles and Themes
     Working with images in Tkinter
     Styling Tkinter widgets
     Styling Ttk widgets

Ch. 9:  Maintaining Cross-Platform Compatibility
     Writing cross-platform Python
         Filenames and filepaths across platforms
         Inconsistent library and feature support
         The dangers of the subprocess module
         Text file encodings and formats
         Graphical and console modes
         Writing code that changes according to the platform
     Writing cross-platform Tkinter
         Tkinter version differences across platforms
         Application menus across platforms
         Accelerator keys
         Fonts
         Theme support
         Window zoomed state
     Improving our application's cross-platform compatibility
         Storing preferences correctly
         Specifying an encoding for our CSV file
         Making platform-appropriate menus

Ch. 10:  Creating Automated Tests with unittest
     Automated testing basics
     Testing Tkinter code
         Managing asynchronous code
         Simulating user actions
         Managing focus and grab
         Getting widget information
     Writing tests for our application

Ch. 11:  Improving Data Storage with SQL
     PostgreSQL
     SQL and relational database basics
     Modeling relational data
     Creating the ABQ database
     Integrating SQL into our application

Ch. 12:  Connecting to the Cloud
     HTTP using urllib
     HTTP using requests
     FTP using ftplib

Ch. 13:  Asynchronous Programming with Thread and Queue
     Tkinter's event queue
     Running code in the background with threading
     Passing messages using a queue

Ch. 14:  Visualizing Data Using the Canvas Widget
     Drawing and animation with Tkinter's Canvas
     Creating simple graphs on the canvas
     Advanced graphs using Matplotlib and Tkinter

Ch. 15:  Packaging with setuptools and cx_Freeze
     Using setuptools
     Using cx_Freeze
     Building Windows executables with cx_Freeze
     Building macOS executables with cx_Freeze

--
boB


-- 
boB
_______________________________________________
Tutor maillist  -  Tutor at python.org
To unsubscribe or change subscription options:
https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor