Week Two

8/27/18 - 8/31/18

Git and Github

In the past week, I learned what Git is and how to use it. Git is a version control system that is run from the command line. A user can create copies of the files called branches, modify them, and then merge that branch with the master when they know the new version works well. This whole process can be done remotely and with multiple users through the website Github. I learned how to use both Git and Github and practiced controlling and managing different versions of files. I learned how to push, pull, add files, commit to a repository and get the status of Git. I also practiced solving a merge conflict in Git.

Kivy

This year, the programming students will be doing all of their work in Python. Since I had already used Python before, I moved ahead to learn Kivy. Kivy is python library meant for creating GUIs and other graphical displays. I went through a tutorial on the Kivy website in which I created a pong game using python and Kivy. I learned how widgets, apps, and .kv files work and how to put them all together to create a game. I also experimented with modifying the pong game one I had finished the tutorial.

Raspberry Pi

Throughout the rest of the school year, all of the programmers will be working Rasberry Pis connected to monitors. I worked for quite a few hours this past week to set up workstations for everybody. I mounted the Pis with onto acrylic with standoffs, I connected the Pis to monitors, I connected power cables to the monitors and the Pis, connected keyboards and mice. I also installed and tested the Linux OS image on the Pis. While doing all of this, I also worked to familiarize myself with how to use Linux on a Pi and worked some more on Kivy. Later in the week, joysticks were connected to the Pis and I worked with others to get Kivy to accept input from a joystick - not an easy task.