An Agenda for Getting Started with Python Sprints

1. Prepare our laptops:
   1. Verify we all have a network connection, either wired or wireless.
   2. Verify installation of Python 2.4, with docs from the distribution.
   3. For GUI and PyCrust work, install the wxPython package.
      1. for Windows, install the extra module PyWin32.
      2. for Windows, install the extra module ctypes.
      3. for Windows, install the extra module readline.
   4. Introduce running the Python interpreter and the built-in Pydoc module and command.
   5. Configure and test client access to the club version control repository.
      1. Starting a new project:
         mkdir myproject; cd myproject; (create files); svn import -m "importing 1st files" . http://python.taupro.com/repos/myproject/trunk
      2. Checking out a project:
         cd workarea; svn co http://python.taupro.com/repo/myproject/trunk myproject; cd myproject
      3. Status of my `file:
         svn status myfile.py
         svn diff myfile.py
      4. Checking in all changes made:
         svn commit -m "I fixed bug #432"
      5. Find out some history:
         svn log --verbose myfile.py
   6. Catch up with the latest changes:
      svn update
   7. Introduce the Python way to install software using Distutils.
   8. Install a syntax checker:
      1. PyChecker(approve sites)
      2. PyLint(approve sites) (depends upon Logilab-Common(approve sites)).
   9. Review and select an interactive command shell:
      1. vanilla interpreter and PYTHONSTARTUP environment variable
      2. IPython
      3. http://www.wxpython.org/PyManual.html pycrust/pyshell, etc.
      4. http://drpython.sourceforge.net - DrPython? environment offers code completion, debugging, and is cross-platform (uses wxPython)
   10. Optionally interface Python with our editors:
       1. Emacs
       2. VIM(approve sites)
2. Survey the skill sets of the members.
3. Begin learning Python by doing.
   1. ProjectIdeas
4. Recommended books for study until next time.
5. Cover the principles of extreme programming.
   1. Unit Testing (modules 'unittest' and 'doctest' in Python distribution)