[Courses] [python] Python course directions

[Peggy Russell]

> So now and over the next few weeks is a good time for questions and
> discussions:  Is there anything you wish I'd covered?  Anything that
> confuses you when you try to read existing Python code?  Any Python
> packages you'd like to learn how to use?  Programs you'd love to try
> writing and you're wondering how you'd go about it, or if there's a
> Python package that would help? If there are particular topics
> people want to see, I'll tailor my tips accordingly.

There have been some good suggestions already. I'd also be
interested in hearing about either python gui's or python
web development. Would talking about the interfaces to
GIMP-Python be too off topic?

I use `set -u` in bash which helps catch unset variables.
Is there anything similar in Python? Any particular Python
option that you have found more helpful than others?

How do you capture the output of a system command?
Is there a particular Python module?
If a particular module (or is it package) is not installed,
is there an official place to go?

Below is the type of situation where I want to apply it:

   while true:
     capture output of linux command 
     write to log, redirect, or send mail
     sleep
     wait pid
or,
   while read -re line; do
     do something with the command output
     issue another command based on the above
   done < <(command)

Akkana, thanks so much for doing this class.  
When I was learning Gimp, I watched your presentation on Gimp
from LinuxConf Australia.  You have a knack for teaching and
writing.

Peg