Review of 'Invent Your Own Computer Games With Python' by Al Sweigart

Written by Bijou Lane on 07 Jun 2012

Review of ‘Invent Your Own Computer Games With Python’ by Al Sweigart

Nowadays, there are few books that serve the function of teaching programming, as well as providing fun, especially for the children. Al’s book serves both.

Basically, this book is about creating games with python but it also serves as a ground for ‘breaking the ice’ for those who think that programming is only for the ‘PC geeks’. According to Al, ‘Programming isn’t hard. But it is hard to find learning materials that teach you to do interesting things with programming. Other computer books go over many topics that most newbie coders don’t need. This book will teach you how to program your own computer games. You will learn a useful skill and have fun games to show for it!’

It allows readers to create an interactive game using python and late shift the skill up by using pygame to create animation and sound, a very important aspect of creating games.

Who is this book for?

Programming isn’t hard. But it is hard to find learning materials that teach you to do interesting things with programming. Other computer books go over many topics that most newbie coders don’t need. This book will teach you how to program your own computer games. You will learn a useful skill and have fun games to show for it! This book is for:

Complete beginners who want to teach themselves computer programming, even if they have no previous experience programming.

Kids and teenagers who want to learn computer programming by creating games. Kids as young as 9 or 10 years old should be able to follow along.

Adults and teachers who wish to teach others programming.

Anyone, young or old, who wants to learn how to program by learning a professional programming language.

There are 20 chapters in the book

A very notable aspect of this book is that, rather than normal programming books, which provide the principles first, then the application, Al`s book show the source code for games right up front and explain programming principles from the examples.

This book is not for making games with high tech graphics but for games good enough for attracting online gamers or as a game for mobile phones,as Al said,

‘The first few games we’ll create together in this book will probably seem simple compared to the games you’ve played on the Xbox, Playstation, or Wii. They don’t have fancy graphics or music but that’s because they’re meant to teach you the basics. They’re purposely simple so that we can focus on learning to program. Games don’t have to be complicated to be fun. Hangman, Tic Tac Toe, and making secret codes are simple to program but are also fun. It explains every aspect of python from installing it to using pygame for sound and animation. Overall, a good, sound and interactive method used throughout. Recommended for all age and programming levels.’

This book is freely downloadable at: http://inventwithpython.com

The writer`s blog is at: http://coffeeghost.net