wxPython Merge #2 of 2.4 branch --> HEAD (branch tag: wxPy_2_4_merge_2)

[wxWidgets.git] / wxPython / docs / wxPythonExamples.txt

=================================
 Example Programs Using wxPython
=================================

--------------------------------------------------
 A survival guide for the post-wx-prefixed world.
--------------------------------------------------

:Author: Patrick K. O'Brien
:Contact: pobrien@orbtech.com
:Organization: Orbtech_
:Date: $Date$
:Revision: $Revision$

.. _Orbtech: http://www.orbtech.com/

.. contents::


Introduction
============

This document illustrates example programs using wxPython.  All the
examples make use of the new wx package syntax introduced in wxPython
2.4.1, which is a bit different than older examples you might come
across.


Background (with tongue firmly in cheek)
========================================

If something hits you on the head, don't run around screaming that the
sky is falling.  Instead, take a close look and see if it wasn't a
"wx" prefix that hit you.  Apparently, they're dropping off wxPython
class names like flies dropping dead in the scorching heat of a
summer's day.

Yes, the world is changing, and even our little wxPython world must
change with it.  Then again, I'm not fond of pesky summertime flies,
and I'm not too upset that the "wx" prefixes are going to bite the
dust.  I think it's for the best.  But, being the kind, considerate
person that I am, I decided to write this guide to make the wx
namespace transition easier for everyone, even Chicken Little.

.. note:: Say what?

   If you have no idea what I mean by the "wx namespace transition,"
   consider yourself lucky.  You can simply use these examples to
   learn wxPython in its current state (beginning with wxPython
   version 2.4.1).  All you need to know is that previous wxPython
   code used a slightly different syntax that some folks (including
   me) considered ugly.  So we changed it.  And that's when the sky
   starting falling...

   If you want more of the technical details, read the `wx package
   documentation`_.

   .. _wx package documentation: wxPackage.html


Rather than simply **tell** you that everything will be okay, I
decided to **show** you that everything will be okay.  To do that,
I've created a bunch of example programs using the new wx package.  I
hope you like them.


Basic Program Example
=====================

It doesn't get much simpler than this.  Every wxPython program needs
an application and a frame.  To encourage good coding habits, I've
split them into separate modules.  They don't do much, but they're a
good starting point.

I include a simple App class in the frame module because the PyWrap
"wrapper" utility (``pywrap``) only works with modules that contain an
application class.  So including a simple one in each of your frame
modules allows you to use the PyWrap runtime wrapper and debug your
frames independent of your full application.

Here is the module (``frame.py``) that defines the frame class:

.. include:: ../samples/wx_examples/basic/frame.py
   :literal:

And here is the module (``app.py``) that defines the application class
and imports the frame from ``frame.py``:

.. include:: ../samples/wx_examples/basic/app.py
   :literal:


Hello wxPython Example
======================

This program displays an image file (``wxPython.jpg``) inside a frame
sized to match the graphic.

.. figure:: screenshots/hello-win98.png
   :scale: 100

   Running ``hello.py`` on Windows.

.. figure:: screenshots/hello-linux.png
   :scale: 100

   Running ``hello.py`` on Linux.

.. figure:: screenshots/hello-mac.png
   :scale: 100

   Running ``hello.py`` on Mac OS X.

Here is the source code for ``hello.py``:

.. include:: ../samples/wx_examples/hello/hello.py
   :literal: