Python Programming Tutorial: Getting Started with the Raspberry Pi

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Introduction

The Raspberry Pi is an amazing single board computer (SBC) capable of running Linux and a whole host of applications. Python is a beginner-friendly programming language that is used in schools, web development, scientific research, and in many other industries. This guide will walk you through writing your own programs with Python to blink lights, respond to button pushes, read sensors, and log data on the Raspberry Pi.

Speaker, button, and LED connected to a Raspberry Pi

Notice: This tutorial was written with Raspbian version "April 2018" and Python version 3.5.3. Other versions may affect how some of the steps in this guide are performed.

Required Materials

To work through the activities in this tutorial, you will need a few pieces of hardware:

Note: As an alternative for the I²C example, you could also use the the Qwiic cables and the Qwiic TMP102 to easily connect without needing to solder or connect to the four pins.

SparkFun Digital Temperature Sensor - TMP102 (Qwiic)

SEN-16304

$6.95

Favorited Favorite 13

SparkFun Qwiic SHIM for Raspberry Pi

DEV-15794

$1.05

Favorited Favorite 23

Qwiic Cable - Breadboard Jumper (4-pin)

PRT-14425

$1.50

Favorited Favorite 36

Qwiic Cable - 200mm

PRT-14428

Retired

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Optional Materials

You have several options when it comes to working with the Raspberry Pi. Most commonly, the Pi is used as a standalone computer, which requires a monitor, keyboard, and mouse (listed below). To save on costs, the Pi can also be used as a headless computer (without a monitor, keyboard, and mouse). This setup has a slightly more difficult learning curve, as you will need to use the command-line interface (CLI) from another computer.