# 368: Amazing That Any of This Works

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2021-04-01
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 368
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-01-368-amazing-that-any-of-this-works
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/368

## Summary

Al Sweigart, author of 'Automate the Boring Stuff with Python' and other technical books, discusses Python programming pedagogy, his open-source PyAutoGUI module, and his 'Calm Programming' video series. He explains why Python is an excellent first language due to its gentle learning curve, details the mechanics of iterables and generators, and advocates for Scratch and text-based games to lower barriers for beginners. Sweigart also reflects on his career transition from software engineer to full-time author, emphasizing the role of luck and community in his success.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-01-368-amazing-that-any-of-this-works#t=6) Introduction: Al Sweigart and Lightning Round
- [5:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-01-368-amazing-that-any-of-this-works#t=305) PyAutoGUI and GUI Frameworks
- [7:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-01-368-amazing-that-any-of-this-works#t=451) Open Source Books and Career Path
- [12:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-01-368-amazing-that-any-of-this-works#t=763) Python's Learning Curve and Fluent Python
- [25:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-01-368-amazing-that-any-of-this-works#t=1505) Iterables, Generators, and Range Objects
- [36:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-01-368-amazing-that-any-of-this-works#t=2188) Small Python Projects and Calm Programming
- [52:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-01-368-amazing-that-any-of-this-works#t=3133) Origami, Hardware, and PyCon

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (product)
- PyAutoGUI (product)
- Scratch (product)
- Fluent Python (product)
- Raspberry Pi Pico (product)
- No Starch Press (company)
- PyCon (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Pragmatic LLM usage with Nicholas Carlini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2024-08-09-pragmatic-llm-usage-with-nicholas-carlini) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Work on it for 10 years...](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-12-30-work-on-it-for-10-years) (The Amp Hour)
- [Dijkstra's Tweetstorm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2021-10-19-dijkstras-tweetstorm) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Paths into Systems Programming](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-06-21-paths-into-systems-programming) (Oxide and Friends)
- [392: We Can Design Our Way Out of This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-03-17-392-we-can-design-our-way-out-of-this) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-01-368-amazing-that-any-of-this-works. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.