Part 1. Getting started

Get ready to explore Python using your Raspberry Pi! You’ll need a Raspberry Pi and a few other parts and cables for part 1. Here’s your shopping list:

• Raspberry Pi 2 Model B
• 8 GB SD memory card, preloaded with the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s NOOBS (New Out Of the Box Software)
• USB power supply with micro USB cable (must deliver 1.2 A @ 5 V)
• USB keyboard
• USB mouse
• TV or monitor
• Cable to connect to TV or monitor (specific cables for your TV or monitor are discussed in chapter 1)

Optional item:

• Raspberry Pi case

Part 1 will get you on your way to using your Raspberry Pi and launch you into programming it with Python. In chapter 1, you’ll set up your Raspberry Pi, learn how to start (or boot) it up, and then look around inside the Pi’s desktop. Chapter 2 is where you’ll start exploring the Python language. You’ll create your first programs and learn to give instructions to your Raspberry Pi using Python.

By the end of part 1, you’ll know how to get a Raspberry Pi up and running. You’ll be able to write a Python program and interact with your Pi to make it do things like figure out the cost of a cheeseburger meal and display silly messages on the screen.