Python Playground ─ Geeky Projects for the Curious Programmer

Python is a powerful programming language that's fun to play around with. Getting to know Python isn't just about hammering syntax into your brain—it's about discovering new tools to explore whatever excites you.

Python Playground is a collection of fun programming projects that will inspire you to new heights as a Pythonista. Inside, you'll learn to use Python for all kinds of playful purposes. You'll manipulate images, build simulations, and interact with hardware using Arduino and Raspberry Pi. As you work through each project, you'll power up your programming skills as you learn how to leverage external libraries for specialized tasks, how to break problems into smaller, solvable pieces, and how to translate an algorithm into code.

Inside, you'll build:

• An autostereogram generator that creates patterns with hidden, 3D images
• A program that translates image pixels into characters to create ASCII art
• A Conway's Game of Life simulator
• A ray casting volume renderer using OpenGL and GLSL
• An Arduino rig that creates laser patterns based on audio input

Mahesh Venkitachalam is a software engineer with over 15 years of experience developing 3D scientific visualization applications. He maintains a blog on electronics and programming at electronut.in, and his projects have been featured in magazines and popular websites like HackaDay and Lifehacker.