Module - Introduction to WxPython

Motivation

WxPython (http://www.wxpython.org) is an open source GUI toolkit that si based on the C++ library wxWidgets (http://www.wxwidgets.org). WxPython is platform independent and provides native looking GUIs on Windows, Linux and Mac. It contains all modern GUI widgets and therefore provides a solid foundation for professional GUIs.

The course provides an overview of wxPython features. Important concepts are introduced with examples. The participants write their own simple GUIs in the course.

Course Content

First Example

We introduced a short example step-by step and implement a GUI for a small calculation program. We look at the underlying principles.

PyCrust

Developing with a toolkit of the size of wxPython can quickly become a complex task. It can be tricky to find out why things happen the way they do. PyCrust is an IDE that comes with wxPython and can really simplify working with wxPython. We look at this IDE and modify our example program in such a way that we can run it from PyCrust's interactive prompt.

Waiting - Simple Display

It is useful to show the user a progress status for longer running tasks. We implement a simple progress report feature.

Menus

Menus certainly belong to the most important types of widgets. Therefore, we add a menu to our program with all essential features such as sub menus, check-box menus, icons in menus, and keystroke binding. In addition we add a context menu.

The Status Bar

The status bar is an important widget for conveying program status to the user. We look at possibilities for status bars with different levels of complexity and try them out.

Progress Bar

We use a progress bar to show how much of the calculation in our sample program has been done. We use Python's yield to implement this without threads.

Dialogs

Dialogs are important for interactive applications. We look at the option wxPython offers for dialogs and implement different file choosing dialogs.

Module Duration

1 day, longer courses with extended program possible

Exercises

The participants can follow all steps directly on their computers. There are exercises at the end of each unit providing ample opportunity to apply the freshly learned knowledge.

Course Material

Every participant receives comprehensive printed materials that cover the whole course content as wells as a CD with all source codes and used software.

Intended Audience

Programmers with basic Python knowledge or after taking other courses (see Recommended Module Combinations).

Recommended Module Combinations

The module may be combined with the course Python for Non-Programmers or Python for Programmers.

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