I've been learning Python for about two months now, mostly just writing code in a code editor and running it through the terminal. I'm curious about how to actually build software that includes layouts and user interfaces. What steps should I take to get started?
5 Answers
Remember, Python is primarily a back-end language. To build something like an inventory management app, think about: 1) What problem your app solves, 2) What features it will need (like a database), and 3) Set realistic goals to avoid procrastination. Familiarize yourself with programming concepts generally too, like frameworks and APIs, as they’ll help you expand your skills!
If you're looking to create a GUI, you might want to start with `tkinter`, as it’s included in Python’s standard library. For command-line applications, libraries like `argparse` are useful too! Best to start simple and progress from there.
User-facing applications can be complex, but don’t let that intimidate you! Check out tutorials on Real Python about `tkinter` and consider diving into web development with Django for more capabilities.
First, consider what platforms you want your software to run on. Are you thinking of a desktop app or perhaps a web app? If you're leaning towards the web, try out Flask, which integrates nicely with Python.
I totally relate to where you’re at! Start with learning about APIs, like FastAPI, which is developer-friendly. Pick a database too, like PostgreSQL. Once you get comfortable, you can even deploy your application using AWS! But don’t forget about your front-end options—stuff like HTML/CSS, React, or even just plain old HTML will work.
If you're focusing on front-end design, explore libraries and frameworks, but even plain HTML/CSS is powerful for quick projects!
Definitely start with `tkinter`, and then you can move on to `customtkinter` to make your interfaces look cleaner and more appealing.