Beginner: TicTacToe from Basic to OOP

Welcome Pythonistas!

This month, Fred Sells will give a beginner talk walking us through different ways of building a TicTacToe game in Python.

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While there may be some good introductory computer programming classes, I’ve never encountered one. They focus on syntax and trivial exercises, culminating in a project the student defines. The problem with defining your own project, is that you only build what you already understand and water down the project as needed.

In the real world, you have a problem to solve and while you have flexibility in how you solve it, you cannot redefine the problem.

This tutorial utilizes that concept to build the generic Tic-tac-toe game and continually refactor it into an OOP framework that can be a jumping off point for any board game. The game will evolve from simple command line data entry and parsing to a crude graphical interface. This session will illustrate the use of lists within lists and several other common problems you’ll face in the business world. This is practical code, however most recruiting tests go for esoteric algorithms for some reason.

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Fred received a BSEE from Purdue and an MSCS from Boston University. He has taught post-graduate courses in Web Development, Java and Python. He is now semi-retired after 50 years of software development in multiple industries.

Fred developed weapons systems for the Los Angeles class of SSN’s including Tomahawk cruise missiles and the Mk 48 torpedo. He was a co-founder of that company which was sold to Kodak in the 80’s. Some of his work is visible in the background of The Hunt for Red October.

Fred is the founder of Sunrise Software which developed a Unix/Motif user interface design tool that became part of the USAF’s Integrated Computer Aided Software Engineering initiative and the F22 fighter.

Fred was a consultant to the NYSE where he developed a compete simulation of the trading system including a real time UI and sockets to simulate orders coming in electronically. This project culminated in an after-hours mock trading session on the floor of The NYSE to validate the system with experienced users.

He worked for AdventHealth where he designed systems to minimize errors in patient care and streamline the extensive paperwork required by Medicare/Medicaid for the long term care industry.

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We meet monthly for good discussion and Python shenanigans. You can show off a project you're working on or any problems that we can help solve. We're always looking for people to give lightning, beginner, and skill-based talks. Message us if you're interested in speaking!

You can watch our past meetings at watch.pyorl.org

See you all there 😃