Learning to code can seem daunting, but it can be a fun and rewarding experience with the right starting point. Python, a popular and easy-to-read programming language, includes a wonderful built-in module called Turtle Graphics. It provides a simple and visual way to learn programming fundamentals like loops and functions by giving commands to a virtual ‘turtle’ that draws on the screen, offering instant feedback on your code.
Table of Contents
Taking Your First Steps
You can start programming with Turtle immediately from the Python interactive prompt. Open a terminal and type `python` to begin.
- Import the module:
import turtle - Draw a line:
turtle.forward(150) - Turn the turtle:
turtle.left(90) - Draw another line:
turtle.forward(75)
As you type these commands, a new window will appear, showing an arrow (the turtle) drawing lines based on your instructions.
Writing a Reusable Script
For more complex drawings, it’s best to write your code in a file. You can use any text editor, or an IDE like Geany. Let’s create a function to draw a square.
import turtle
def draw_square():
for i in range(4):
turtle.forward(100)
turtle.right(90)
draw_square() # Call the function to run the code
turtle.exitonclick() # Keep the window open until clickedIn this script, `def draw_square():` defines a reusable block of code. The `for i in range(4):` creates a loop that repeats the indented commands four times, which is much more efficient than writing them out manually. Note that Python uses indentation to define code blocks.
Adding Loops and Colors for Complex Patterns
The real fun begins when you combine loops, functions, and a bit of randomness to create beautiful patterns. Add the following code to your script to draw a colorful spiral of squares.
import random
colours = ['red', 'orange', 'yellow', 'green', 'blue', 'purple']
turtle.speed('fastest') # Speed up the drawing
for i in range(100):
turtle.color(random.choice(colours)) # Pick a random color
draw_square() # Use our function to draw a square
turtle.right(11) # Tilt the turtle slightlyBy repeatedly calling your `draw_square` function inside another loop and changing the color and angle each time, you can generate complex and artistic patterns from simple rules.
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