Category: Python

Retrieve Weather for Any City Python Script

This Python script fetches current weather data for a specified city from wttr.in, converts the temperature to Fahrenheit, and displays the weather condition along with humidity. It provides a quick and API-key-free way to get up-to-date weather information right from your command line.

Click to view script…

#!/usr/bin/env python3
import requests

def get_weather(city):
    url = f"http://wttr.in/{city}?format=j1"
    try:
        response = requests.get(url)
        response.raise_for_status()
        data = response.json()

        # Extract current weather information
        current = data['current_condition'][0]
        temp_c = float(current.get('temp_C', 0))
        temp_f = (temp_c * 9/5) + 32  # Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit
        weather_desc = current.get('weatherDesc', [{}])[0].get('value', 'No description')
        humidity = current.get('humidity')

        print(f"\nWeather in {city.title()}:")
        print(f"  Temperature: {temp_f:.1f}°F")
        print(f"  Condition: {weather_desc}")
        print(f"  Humidity: {humidity}%")
    except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
        print("Error: Could not retrieve weather data.")
        print(e)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    city = input("Enter a city name: ")
    get_weather(city)

February 14, 2025

Virtual Pet Simulator Python Script

A simple virtual pet game where you can feed, play with, and put your pet to sleep—keep it happy and healthy or watch things go south.

Click to view script…

import time

class VirtualPet:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
        self.hunger = 5      # 0 means full, 10 means starving
        self.happiness = 5   # 0 means sad, 10 means happy
        self.energy = 5      # 0 means tired, 10 means full of energy
        self.alive = True

    def feed(self):
        if self.hunger > 0:
            self.hunger -= 1
            print(f"You fed {self.name}. Hunger is now {self.hunger}/10.")
        else:
            print(f"{self.name} isn't hungry right now!")

    def play(self):
        if self.energy > 0:
            self.happiness = min(10, self.happiness + 1)
            self.energy -= 1
            self.hunger = min(10, self.hunger + 1)
            print(f"You played with {self.name}. Happiness: {self.happiness}/10, Energy: {self.energy}/10, Hunger: {self.hunger}/10.")
        else:
            print(f"{self.name} is too tired to play.")

    def sleep(self):
        print(f"{self.name} is sleeping...")
        time.sleep(2)
        self.energy = min(10, self.energy + 3)
        self.hunger = min(10, self.hunger + 1)
        print(f"{self.name} woke up. Energy: {self.energy}/10, Hunger: {self.hunger}/10.")

    def status(self):
        print(f"\n{self.name}'s Status:")
        print(f"  Hunger: {self.hunger}/10")
        print(f"  Happiness: {self.happiness}/10")
        print(f"  Energy: {self.energy}/10")

    def update(self):
        # Stats change over time
        self.hunger = min(10, self.hunger + 1)
        self.happiness = max(0, self.happiness - 1)
        self.energy = max(0, self.energy - 1)
        if self.hunger == 10 or self.happiness == 0 or self.energy == 0:
            self.alive = False
            print(f"\nSadly, {self.name} has passed away due to neglect...")

def main():
    pet_name = input("Name your pet: ")
    pet = VirtualPet(pet_name)
    print(f"Welcome, {pet.name}!")
    
    while pet.alive:
        pet.status()
        print("\nActions: feed | play | sleep | exit")
        action = input("What do you want to do? ").strip().lower()
        
        if action == "feed":
            pet.feed()
        elif action == "play":
            pet.play()
        elif action == "sleep":
            pet.sleep()
        elif action == "exit":
            print("Goodbye!")
            break
        else:
            print("Invalid action. Try again.")
        
        pet.update()
    
    print("Game over.")

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

February 13, 2025

Matrix Rain Effect Python Script

This Python script simulates the iconic digital rain from The Matrix in your terminal using the curses library. Green characters cascade down your screen, and press any key to exit the mesmerizing effect.

Click to view script…

import curses
import random
import time

def matrix_rain(stdscr):
    # Hide the cursor and set non-blocking input
    curses.curs_set(0)
    stdscr.nodelay(True)
    stdscr.timeout(50)
    
    # Initialize colors if supported
    if curses.has_colors():
        curses.start_color()
        curses.init_pair(1, curses.COLOR_GREEN, curses.COLOR_BLACK)

    sh, sw = stdscr.getmaxyx()  # Get screen height and width
    # Initialize each column with a random starting row
    columns = [random.randint(0, sh - 1) for _ in range(sw)]

    while True:
        stdscr.erase()  # Clear the screen for fresh drawing
        for x in range(sw):
            y = columns[x]
            # Generate a random printable ASCII character
            char = chr(random.randint(33, 126))
            try:
                if curses.has_colors():
                    stdscr.addch(y, x, char, curses.color_pair(1))
                else:
                    stdscr.addch(y, x, char)
            except curses.error:
                # Ignore errors when drawing outside of the screen bounds
                pass

            # Move the column down; reset to the top if at the bottom
            columns[x] = y + 1 if y < sh - 1 else 0

        stdscr.refresh()
        time.sleep(0.05)  # Adjust the speed of the rain

        # Exit the loop if any key is pressed
        if stdscr.getch() != -1:
            break

def main():
    curses.wrapper(matrix_rain)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

February 13, 2025

Customizable Python Countdown Timer

This Python script lets users set their own countdown duration by entering the number of seconds. It validates the input and displays a live timer until it reaches zero, announcing when time is up.

Click to view script…

import time

def countdown(seconds):
    while seconds:
        mins, secs = divmod(seconds, 60)
        timer = '{:02d}:{:02d}'.format(mins, secs)
        print(timer, end="\r")
        time.sleep(1)
        seconds -= 1
    print("Time's up!")

try:
    user_input = int(input("Enter the number of seconds for the countdown: "))
    countdown(user_input)
except ValueError:
    print("Invalid input. Please enter an integer value.")

February 13, 2025

Random Python Password Generator

This script generates a secure, random password using a mix of letters, digits, and punctuation.

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import random
import string

def generate_password(length=12):
    characters = string.ascii_letters + string.digits + string.punctuation
    password = ''.join(random.choice(characters) for _ in range(length))
    return password

print("Your new password is:", generate_password())

February 13, 2025