Young Programmers Podcast

This Podcast Moves to YouTube

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 03:12:00 +0000

Hi all. I have moved to YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/dcbriccetti

To this playlist, specifically:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA87D270FAD3A8C73

See you there.

Introduction to Python Functions

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 05:06:00 +0000

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

A Simple Python Quiz Program, Part 3

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 06:49:00 +0000

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

Tynker—Physics and Cloning

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:38:00 +0000

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.

Simple Python Calculator using a Dictionary and Functions for Operators

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 05:10:00 +0000

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

Kojo Wandering Turtles

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:15:00 +0000

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

Using Python's Input Function with Numbers

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0000

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

A Simple Python Quiz Program, Part 2

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:02:00 +0000

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.

Demonstration of Audacity for Making Sound Effects

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 01:02:00 +0000

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.

Carter Sande Teaches Python Functions

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 18:49:00 +0000

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.

Python Simple Text Adventure 3

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 18:40:00 +0000

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

Kojo (Scala) Random Polygon Drawing

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sat, 28 May 2011 19:30:00 +0000

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

Python Simple Text Adventure 2

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:31:00 +0000

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

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:36:00 +0000

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

A Simple Python Quiz Program

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 06:36:00 +0000

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

Interviews With Professional Programmers, Part Six

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:47:00 +0000

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

Wesley Chun on Python

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:35:00 +0000

Googler, Python book author, and former College for Kids teacher Wesley Chun visits Dave Briccetti’s Python class by videoconferencing. He talks about learning Python and how it is used by Google.

Randomness in Python Lesson by Carter Sande

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:15:00 +0000

Carter Sande, young coauthor of the Python book Hello World! - Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners, visits Dave Briccetti’s Python programming class for grades 7–9 at Pleasant Hill, CA’s Diablo Valley College College for Kids program, and delivers a guest lecture on random numbers.

In another brief video, Dave Briccetti interviews Carter.

JavaFX Ship Landing Game from Peter Pilgrim

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 19:54:00 +0000

While out to lunch one day at the Java Posse Roundup, Peter Pilgrim showed me his ship landing game written in JavaFX.

(Sorry about the blurry parts.)

Interviews With Game Developers

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:59:00 +0000

Interviews about game development with Bay Area Video Game Development Meetup members at the January 19, 2010 meetup.

Casey Holtz, group leader
Turi Scandurra, www.salvatorescandurra.com
Greg Damiano, Playdom
Simon Amarasingham, dSonic
Japheth Dillman, iJanda.net

Interviews With Professional Programmers, Part Five

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:53:00 +0000

Michael (Van) Van Riper, at a Silicon Valley Web Java User Group (see Joshua Bloch in the background) talks about programming.

Invisible Player Escapes Maze, Pygame Version 1

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:05:00 +0000

Walkthrough of version 1 of the Invisible Player Escapes Maze game in Pygame.

Source code

Invisible Player Escapes Maze

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Escape the maze. You are invisible, and so are all the obstacles unless they are close to you. Illustrates use of the ghost effect, and broadcast. http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/davebric/818925

Growing Player Escapes Maze

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:59:00 +0000

Escape the maze before you grow too big. Illustrates use of the timer, and “if touching color.” The Scratch project is here: http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/davebric/818258

Jython/Swing Game of Life Version 2

daveb@davebsoft.com (Dave Briccetti) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:25:00 +0000

A very quick look at version 2 of our Jython implementation of Conway’s Game of Life. Source code