What this book covers
Chapter 1, Getting Started with a Raspberry Pi Computer, introduces the Raspberry Pi and explores the various ways that it can be set up and used, including how it can be used on a network and connected to remotely with another computer.
Chapter 2, Starting with Python Strings, Files, and Menus, guides us on how to take our first steps using Python 3, start with the basics, manipulate text, use files, and create menus to run our programs.
Chapter 3, Using Python for Automation and Productivity, explains the use of graphical user interfaces to create our own applications and utilities.
Chapter 4, Creating Games and Graphics, explains how to create a drawing application and graphical games using the Tkinter Canvas.
Chapter 5, Creating 3D Graphics, discusses how we can use the hidden power of the Raspberry Pi’s graphical processing unit to learn about 3D graphics and landscapes and produce our very own 3D maze for exploration.
Chapter 6, Using Python to Drive Hardware, establishes the fact that to experience the Raspberry Pi at its best, we really have to use it with our own electronics. It discusses how to create circuits with LEDs and switches, and use them to indicate the system status and provide control. Finally, it shows us how to create our own game controller and light display.
Chapter 7, Sense and Display Real-world Data, explains the use of an analog-to-digital converter to provide sensor readings to the Raspberry Pi. We discover how to store and graph the data in real time as well as display it on an LCD text display. Finally, we transfer the data to the Internet, which will allow us to view and share the captured data from anywhere in the world.
Chapter 8, Creating Projects with the Raspberry Pi Camera Module, teaches us how to use the Raspberry Pi camera module, creating our own applications to produce time-lapse videos,
stop-frame animations, and a bedtime book reader controlled with QR codes.
Chapter 9, Building Robots, takes you through building two different types of robots (a RoverPi and a Pi-Bug). We look at motor and servo control, using sensors, and adding a compass
sensor for navigation.
Chapter 10, Interfacing with Technology, teaches us how to use the Raspberry Pi to trigger remote mains sockets, with which we can control household appliances. We learn how to communicate with the Raspberry Pi over a serial interface and use a smartphone to control everything using Bluetooth. Finally, we look at creating our own applications to control USB devices.
Appendix, Hardware and Software List, provides us with the full list of the hardware components and modules used in the book, along with suitable places to purchase them from. A full list of the software used is also provided, along with links to documentation.
What you need for this book
This book focuses on using the Raspberry Pi with Python 3; therefore, a basic Raspberry Pi setup is required. Chapters 1 to 5 of this book make use of the Raspberry Pi only; no additional hardware is required beyond a standard setup.
The standard setup will consist of the Raspberry Pi (Model A or Model B); an SD card installed with Raspbian; suitable micro USB power supply; and an HDMI-compatible screen, keyboard, and mouse. You will also be required to download and install various software packages; therefore, the Raspberry Pi should have a working Internet connection.
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