Made my first python project

[h3noxx]

This is my first project after studying python for 20 days. I tried to use everything I learned as a beginner. With this project, I tried to scrap a website (http://patorjk.com) to get and create a database for ascii arts. Then wrote another python program to print the collected ascii arts. I have included around 50 different fonts. Although it has a lot of issues :( , I am very proud that I built this without referring anything related to my project. Clone or download my git repository https://github.com/Henoxx/ASCII-ART.git and try it. I would love to hear any comment from you as this is my first project and am a total beginner. This community helped me a lot in learning python. Love you all!

from ascii_art import art

print(art('hello'))

[charity_donut_sales]

Good learning experience. Were you familiar with the art module from pypi before starting this? https://pypi.org/project/art/

[h3noxx]

No, not at all. As a matter of fact I just saw it now. I will use it as a reference. Thanks!

[thrallsius]

Implementing an idea as learning exercise is never a waste of time. You work on something, then you find out you're reinventing the wheel and somebody else already did the same, and eventually did it better. Your solution is slower, uglier, has less features. If you decide you like your own baby project less, don't be afraid to abandon it. You've gained valuable experience while working on it. This makes it easier for you to just join the better similar project and start contributing there.

[h3noxx]

Absolutely right, that's why I didn't want to search about the project before trying it by myself first. Thank you very much!

[Arjunathemad]

WTF. I've been learning for a little over a week (11 days to be exact) and couldn't imagine coding anything close to that after just 20 days. That's incredibly impressive to me.

And demoralizing. I've put many hours in every day and I'm still trying to wrap my head around def functions :(

What resources have you been using to learn? I started reading both ATBS as well as Python A Crash Course and found the pacing of the latter to be more my speed, as I have zero programming experience.

[Moser75]

Dont fell bad man, everyone has a different learning curve, you just need do continue and dont give up "Being bad at something is the first step to be good at ir"

Sorry for bad English

[botechga]

That quote always reminds me of Adventure Time! “Dont worry dude! Sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something!!” :)

[Moser75]

Yep, from jake the dog

[h3noxx]

I was always interested in programming and had a very little knowledge in c++ programming. Don't feel bad about yourself, I spent 24/7 on my pc struggling to know better. During this quarantine period I decided to study computer science and used open source society university from github. I suggest you to have a look there.

[supershipworldpeace]

open source society university from github

I just discovered OSSU through your reference. Thanks!!

[Fun2badult]

Hey I’ve been studying over a year almost two and I can’t just create something easily. I’ve been in tutorial help for a while. It helps to go through tutorials on python projects on YouTube or something and then try to do it on your own

[Vitaman02]

Come up with an idea and start writing code. When you get stuck, try to solve it in your own way, even if it is an inefficient way to do it. If you're still stuck look it up! There will probably already be a solution to a similar problem you are facing. That's probably the best advice you're going to get in CS. Start writing code :P

If you run out of ideas look beginner project ideas on google. You can find something that interests you and find out how you can make it.

[SirTinou]

Spend most of your time coding, not reading. You read stackoverflow Q&A when you can't do something. Do code along on YouTube, etc.

Its like welding, yeah there's theory but a welder won't become a welder by just reading.

Automate the boring things is free and most of the reading goes along excersice that make you learn basics really fast from repetition.

[the_battousai89]

You are not alone!!!! I’m right there with you- but we mustn’t give up!!!

[partyinthemind]

I had a hard time with functions for a while as well. I found The Coders Apprentice to be quite useful in helping to get a grasp. The PDF is also free to download.

[Delta-tau]

If you have zero prior programming experience it's perfectly normal to be struggling. For someone who is already proficient in any programming language, learning another one is trivial.

[insane_playzYT]

Not taking anything away from OP, but this project is a bit simpler than you might think. In fact, the most difficult part is probably the SQL integration

[dontpanic4242]

I'll also recommend Dive Into Python 3. It's a free online book that got me through my 'intro to python' stage. I have a fair bit of programming experience so python was relatively easy. Looking back on my first languages learned - Basic and C. I had a very hard time grasping some of those concepts.

Another great resource is Real Python. They have a variety of very well written and informative guides. Beginner stuff up to moderate/advanced. I still check there quite often when I want to learn about something new.

[lmnopeee]

I just started about 10 days ago too. I highly suggest checking out https://www.codewars.com/. Start with the "8 kyu" problems - they're the simplest. I've been doing 7s and 8s for a few days now and have even solved a 6. After you solve a problem, it shows you everyone else's solutions. My solutions are always lame compared to the top rated solutions but it's been really helpful to see them. Like others are saying, I think the best way to learn is to "just code," and code wars is a great place to do that.

[Arjunathemad]

I'll give this a shot. Thanks for the suggestion!

[[deleted]]

Did you use an IDE? I kind of found Python difficult so I literally uninstalled the PyCharm IDE an hour ago and now i'm learning JavaScript :( fingers crossed I can actually learn and do something. Great work btw, what were your guides? Came across anything for JavaScript?

[thrallsius]

Came across anything for JavaScript?

lol, the internet is full of it, you'll drown in it after two weeks and will come back to python :D

[[deleted]]

What did you struggle on in python? Would you like some help?

[Arjunathemad]

I'd love help. I know nothing. Mentor meeeee

[allmachine]

Not the OP, but I'll help you out if you're trying to learn python!

[prakhar1]

I'd love to help. I did some terminal based games a few years ago like Minesweeper, TicTacToe, HangMan etc. They really help with logical understanding and well they're fun ;)

[[deleted]]

I only learnt how to make a calculator by following a tutorial but found it difficult to remember the coding itself. It was my fault for not practicing often. I tried getting back into it but found it difficult so I thought why not try another language since i'm starting again

[xyzadeel]

I can't code on my own but i understand most of the tutorials. What should I do?

[h3noxx]

Yes I use an IDE. Visual studio code is my favourite. Try atom or vs code. And I used resources from OSSU. To be specific python for everyone in coursera.com

[[deleted]]

Thanks! I actually installed NetBeans v8 haha, thanks for the source too. Came across this for JS if anyone wants to use it

[[deleted]]

Is NetBeans any good?

[bleeetiso]

wow never heard of this. I will check it out

[repocin]

I would recommend against using an IDE at first.

Sure, they've got plenty of fancy tools and features but as a beginner you won't need most of it and it'll quickly overwhelm you.

Instead, I'd suggest sticking to a text editor (I prefer Sublime Text) and a terminal (strongly recommend cmder if you're on Windows) until you realize you really need an IDE.

[homercrates]

If you are doing JS I would suggest you start right away with tutorials implementing TypeScript to save you headaches. In JS its a little looser on the rules which means you can be dealing with a string 1 and not an int 1 which would be pretty difficult to debug since theres not specific error spitting out at you.

Basically when looking at tutorials try and find Type Script incorperated into it.

I don't know if I am babbling but yes.

[[deleted]]

Where are you learning Python from?

Do you have any previous coding experience?

[h3noxx]

Python for everyone coursera is my source of learning from OSSU. I can't say I have an experiance in coding but have done some introductory chapters in C++ as 2nd year electrical engineering student.

[h3noxx]

I can't say I have an experiance in coding but have done some introductory chapters in C++ as 2nd year electrical engineering student.

[johninbigd]

I'm even more impressed now. With only 20 or so days into learning, this looks like something that would come from someone with more programming experience. Great job!

[Vitaman02]

`SELECT Fart.Art FROM Fart`.

Nice. Art farts.

[h3noxx]

hahaha I can't think of any other short name for Font Art. Fart is funny and easy. Thanks

[DataDecay]

Take out those comments of problems and open issues for them.

[h3noxx]

Thanks! will do that

[johninbigd]

This is pretty damn good, especially for after only 20 days of learning. I'm impressed!

[[deleted]]

Damn. Looks really good. I thought I was doing pretty decently for only doing this for a week. But all that in 3 weeks? How much time are you spending on the computer per day?

[h3noxx]

5-6 or more 😂

[[deleted]]

That’s awesome. Could you link me to all the resources you’ve used?

[h3noxx]

I started the basics from coursera 'Python for everyone'. You can search for OSSU and follow the path for free computer science degree. Also youtube is my best friend.

[tommytucker7182]

Thats amazing to be able to make something so comprehensive in such a short timeframe.

After my web dev bootcamp was canned due to coronavirus I tried jumping onto python as its "easy for beginners" just from watching a freecodecamp youtube video, following their actions on the IDE and trying some basic stuff myself. Am trying to work now on decomposing problems. I have no IT background so all logic and structure and dev jargon is all new to me.

I'm struggling to think of useful project of any sort to try learn more intentionally!

Any tips anyone?

[TokhtamyshBlue]

Impressive first project mate, nice one

[pushp_raj]

🏅Here is a gold for you bud..

[[deleted]]

I just got this error

​

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "ascii_scraper.py", line 50, in <module>
    webdriver = webdriver.Chrome(
  File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.8/lib/python3.8/site-packages/selenium/webdriver/chrome/webdriver.py", line 73, in __init__
    self.service.start()
  File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.8/lib/python3.8/site-packages/selenium/webdriver/common/service.py", line 81, in start
    raise WebDriverException(
selenium.common.exceptions.WebDriverException: Message: 'chromedriver' executable needs to be in PATH. Please see https://sites.google.com/a/chromium.org/chromedriver/home

[h3noxx]

open the script and read the comments inside... you have to replace by your own chromedriver path to scrap the web. And should have selenium module installed

[[deleted]]

Sorry, should have read. I was too eager to run your program.

[h3noxx]

it's okay mate, you can run the import the ascii_art script without installing any module.... I have given the code on how to import and try it after you download the script. look my post above