Scratch 1.4: Beginner's Guide. Learn to program while creating interactive stories, games, and multimedia projects using Scratch

Michael Badger, Lifelong Kindergarten Group

If you have the imaginative power to design complex multimedia projects but can't adapt to programming languages, then Scratch 1.4: Beginner's Guide is the book for you. Imagine how good you'll feel when you drag-and-drop your way to interactive games, stories, graphic artwork, computer animations, and much more using Scratch even if you have never programmed before.This book provides teachers, parents, and new programmers with a guided tour of Scratch's features by creating projects that can be shared, remixed, and improved upon in your own lesson plans. Soon you will be creating games, stories, and animations by snapping blocks of code together.When you program you solve problems. In order to solve problems, you think, take action, and reflect upon your efforts. Scratch teaches you to program using a fun, accessible environment that's as easy as dragging and dropping blocks from one part of the screen to another.In this book you will program games, stories, and animations using hands-on examples that get you thinking and tinkering. For each project, you start with a series of steps to build something. Then you pause to put our actions into context so that you can relate our code to the actions on Scratch's stage. Throughout each chapter, you'll encounter challenges that encourage you to experiment and learn.One of the things you're really going to love is that, as you begin working through the examples in the book, you won't be able to stop your imagination and the ideas will stream as fast as you can think of them. Write them down. You'll quickly realize there are a lot of young minds in your home, classroom, or community group that could benefit from Scratch's friendly face. Teach them, please.

Appcelerator Titanium Smartphone App Development Cookbook. Over 100 recipes to help you develop cross-platform, native applications in JavaScript

Boydlee Pollentine, Jason Kneen, Jason Kneen

This book will take you through the process of building cross-platform, native UI applications for the mobile from scratch. You will learn how to develop apps, how to use GPS, cameras and photos and how to build socially connected apps. You will also learn how to package them for submission to the App Store and Google Play.This cookbook takes a pragmatic approach to creating applications in JavaScript from putting together basic UIs, to handling events and implementation of third party services such as Twitter, Facebook and Push notifications. The book shows you how to integrate datasources and server APIs, and how to use local databases. The topics covered will guide you to use Appcelerator Studio tools for all the mobile features such as Geolocation, Accelerometer, animation and more. You’ll also learn about Alloy, the Appcelerator MVC framework for rapid app development, and how to transfer data between applications using URLSchemes, enabling other developers to access and launch specific parts of your app.Finally, you will learn how to register developer accounts and publish your very own applications on the App Store and Google Play.

Visual Basic and Algorithmic Thinking for the Complete Beginner. Master Visual Basic and Algorithmic Thinking: From Fundamentals to Advanced Concepts

Aristides Bouras

This course begins with a fundamental overview of how computers operate, setting a solid foundation for your learning. You'll then delve into the essentials of Visual Basic, exploring integrated development environments and necessary software packages. As you progress, you'll tackle basic algorithmic concepts, variables, constants, and how to handle input and output efficiently. Moving forward, the course introduces you to control structures, starting with sequence control, and advancing through various decision structures, including single, dual, and multiple-alternative decisions. You'll gain practical experience with flowcharts and decision-making processes, equipping you with the skills to manage complex programming scenarios. The latter part of the course focuses on loop control structures, both simple and nested, and teaches you to implement them effectively through practical exercises and flowcharts. Finally, you'll explore advanced topics such as data structures, including one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays, and dictionaries. The course also covers subprograms and object-oriented programming, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of Visual Basic. With a practical approach, this course is designed to build your confidence in programming, enabling you to tackle real-world problems with ease.

Mastering Windows PowerShell Scripting. Automate and manage your environment using PowerShell Core 6.0 - Third Edition

Chris Dent

PowerShell scripts offer a handy way to automate various chores, however working effectively with these scripts can be a difficult task.This comprehensive guide starts with the fundamentals before moving on to advanced-level topics to help you become a PowerShell Core 6.0 expert. The first module, PowerShell Core 6.0 Fundamentals, begins with the new features of PowerShell Core 6.0, installing it on Linux, and working with parameters, objects and .NET classes from within PowerShell Core 6.0. As you make your way through the chapters, you'll see how to efficiently manage large amounts of data and interact with other services using PowerShell Core 6.0. You'll be able to make the most of PowerShell Core 6.0's powerful automation feature, where you will have different methods available to parse data and manipulate regular expressions and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). After having explored automation, you will enter the extending PowerShell Core 6.0 module, covering asynchronous processing and desired state configuration. In the last module, you will learn to extend PowerShell Core 6.0 using advanced scripts and filters, and also debug issues along with working on error handling techniques.By the end of this book, you will be an expert in scripting with PowerShell Core 6.0.

Learning Python Design Patterns. - Second Edition

Chetan Giridhar, Gennadiy Zlobin, Anand Balachandran Pillai

With the increasing focus on optimized software architecture and design it is important that software architects think about optimizations in object creation, code structure, and interaction between objects at the architecture or design level. This makes sure that the cost of software maintenance is low and code can be easily reused or is adaptable to change. The key to this is reusability and low maintenance in design patterns.Building on the success of the previous edition, Learning Python Design Patterns, Second Edition will help you implement real-world scenarios with Python’s latest release, Python v3.5. We start by introducing design patterns from the Python perspective. As you progress through the book, you will learn about Singleton patterns, Factory patterns, and Façade patterns in detail. After this, we’ll look at how to control object access with proxy patterns. It also covers observer patterns, command patterns, and compound patterns.By the end of the book, you will have enhanced your professional abilities in software architecture, design, and development.

OSWorkflow: A guide for Java developers and architects to integrating open-source Business Process Management. Get your workflow up and running with this step-by-step guide authored by an active developer of the OSWorkflow project with real-world examples

Diego Naya Lazo

OSWorkflow is an open-source workflow engine written entirely in Java with a flexible approach and a technical user-base target. It is released under the Apache License. You can create simple or complex workflows, depending on your needs. You can focus your work on the business logic and rules. No more Petri Net or finite state machine coding! You can integrate OSWorkflow into your application with a minimum of fuss. OSWorkflow provides all of the workflow constructs that you might encounter in real-life processes, such as steps, conditions, loops, splits, joins, roles, etc.This book explains in detail all the various aspects of OSWorkflow, without assuming any prior knowledge of Business Process Management. Real-life examples are used to clarify concepts.

Zero Trust Overview and Playbook Introduction. Guidance for business, security, and technology leaders and practitioners

Mark Simos, Nikhil Kumar, Ann Johnson

Zero Trust is cybersecurity for the digital era and cloud computing, protecting business assets anywhere on any network. By going beyond traditional network perimeter approaches to security, Zero Trust helps you keep up with ever-evolving threats.The playbook series provides simple, clear, and actionable guidance that fully answers your questions on Zero Trust using current threats, real-world implementation experiences, and open global standards.The Zero Trust playbook series guides you with specific role-by-role actionable information for planning, executing, and operating Zero Trust from the boardroom to technical reality.This first book in the series helps you understand what Zero Trust is, why it’s important for you, and what success looks like. You’ll learn about the driving forces behind Zero Trust – security threats, digital and cloud transformations, business disruptions, business resilience, agility, and adaptability. The six-stage playbook process and real-world examples will guide you through cultural, technical, and other critical elements for success.By the end of this book, you’ll have understood how to start and run your Zero Trust journey with clarity and confidence using this one-of-a-kind series that answers the why, what, and how of Zero Trust!

Ouya Unity Game Development. Understanding Unity means you can quickly get the know-how to develop games for the Android-based Ouya console. This is the guide that will take you all the way from setting up the software to monetizing your games

Gary Riches

Ouya is a microconsole running its own version of the Android operating system. The console features an exclusive Ouya store for applications and games designed specifically for the Ouya platform. It runs a modified version of Android 4.1 Jellybean, and is open to rooting without voiding the warranty. All systems can be used as development kits which allow any Ouya owner to be a developer without any licensing fee. Ouya Unity Game Development offers detailed, easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions which will help you learn the ins and outs of Ouya development in Unity.From connecting your device with Android Debug Bridge to publishing it on the Ouya Developer Portal, this book will explain the processes involved in creating a game from scratch. As you progress through the book, you will learn about scenes, prefabs, sounds, models, and animations. By the end of the seventh chapter, you will have a 3D game with multiple levels, the possibility of in-app purchases, and controller support that runs on both the Ouya and an Android phone. Starting with an introduction to Ouya, you will learn how to set up an environment and render game levels on Ouya. You will learn how to change levels and how to save the current level. You will then dive into Ouya controller integration and character animation. This book will also teach you the workings of audio source components, and will show you how to add textures to prefabs. Finally, you will learn how you can monetize the game. By the end of this book, you will have the game running on Ouya and geared up to create games on your own.

Accelerating Nonprofit Impact with Salesforce. Implement Nonprofit Cloud for efficient and cost-effective operations to drive your nonprofit mission

Melissa Hill Dees

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud enables a 360-degree view of people related to your nonprofit to connect fundraising, program management, and grantmaking. With a single, unified view of every interaction with constituents, nonprofits can create strong relationships with the community and streamline internal processes.The book starts by covering the tools and features that make up Nonprofit Cloud, helping you understand their standard functionalities and how Nonprofit Success Pack's (NPSP) data architecture is critical to implementation. You’ll learn how the Nonprofit Cloud Program Management Module can connect your programs, automate case management, and track client progress. Next, you’ll explore the tools for creating a change management process to increase user adoption. Moving ahead, you’ll understand how to configure necessary permissions for NPSP administration and explore how declarative tools help better align the goals of a nonprofit organization. Toward the concluding chapters, you’ll cover customizations, deployment, custom reports, and dashboards for fundraising analytics, as well as best practices for data management to maintain its integrity.By the end of this Salesforce book, you’ll be able to build and configure the Nonprofit Cloud for a variety of use cases to achieve maximum social impact with the least amount of technical debt.

3D Game Design with Unreal Engine 4 and Blender. Combine the powerful UE4 with Blender to create visually appealing and comprehensive game environments

Jessica Plowman

Unreal Engine 4 now has support for Blender, which was not available in earlier versions. This has opened up new possibilities and that is where this book comes in. This is the first book in the market combining these two powerful game and graphic engines. Readers will build an amazing high-level game environment with UE4 and will show them how to use the power of Blender 3D to create stunning animations and 3D effects for their game. This book will start with creating levels, 3D assets for the game, game progression, light and environment control, animation, and so on. Then it will teach readers to add amazing visual effects to their game by applying rendering, lighting, rigging, and compositing techniques in Blender. Finally, readers will learn how to smoothly transfer blender files to UE4 and animate the game assets. Each chapter will add complexities to the game environment.

Learning R Programming. Language, tools, and practical techniques

Kun Ren

R is a high-level functional language and one of the must-know tools for data science and statistics. Powerful but complex, R can be challenging for beginners and those unfamiliar with its unique behaviors. Learning R Programming is the solution - an easy and practical way to learn R and develop a broad and consistent understanding of the language. Through hands-on examples you'll discover powerful R tools, and R best practices that will give you a deeper understanding of working with data. You'll get to grips with R's data structures and data processing techniques, as well as the most popular R packages to boost your productivity from the offset.Start with the basics of R, then dive deep into the programming techniques and paradigms to make your R code excel. Advance quickly to a deeper understanding of R's behavior as you learn common tasks including data analysis, databases, web scraping, high performance computing, and writing documents. By the end of the book, you'll be a confident R programmer adept at solving problems with the right techniques.

Practical Cybersecurity Architecture. A guide to creating and implementing robust designs for cybersecurity architects

Ed Moyle, Diana Kelley

Cybersecurity architects work with others to develop a comprehensive understanding of the business' requirements. They work with stakeholders to plan designs that are implementable, goal-based, and in keeping with the governance strategy of the organization.With this book, you'll explore the fundamentals of cybersecurity architecture: addressing and mitigating risks, designing secure solutions, and communicating with others about security designs. The book outlines strategies that will help you work with execution teams to make your vision a concrete reality, along with covering ways to keep designs relevant over time through ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and continuous improvement. As you progress, you'll also learn about recognized frameworks for building robust designs as well as strategies that you can adopt to create your own designs.By the end of this book, you will have the skills you need to be able to architect solutions with robust security components for your organization, whether they are infrastructure solutions, application solutions, or others.

Building Web Applications with Flask. Use Python and Flask to build amazing web applications, just the way you want them!

Italo M Campelo Maia, Jack Stouffer, Gareth Dwyer, Italo Maia

Learning Qlik Sense: The Official Guide. Get to grips with the vision of Qlik Sense for next generation business intelligence and data discovery

QlikTech International AB, James Richardson, Christopher Ilacqua, Henric Cronström

Learn Java with Projects. A concise practical guide to learning everything a Java professional really needs to know

Dr. Seán Kennedy, Maaike van Putten

Learn Java with Projects bridges the gap between introductory Java guides and verbose, theoretical references. This book is crafted to build a strong foundation in Java programming, starting from the Java environment itself. It goes far beyond a superficial review of the topics; it demonstrates, with practical examples, why these fundamentals are crucial for developing a deep understanding of the language. You'll not only learn about classes and objects but also see how these concepts are used in practical scenarios, enhancing your ability to write clean, efficient code. The engaging projects throughout the book provide real-world applications of complex topics, ensuring you can connect theoretical knowledge with practical skills. What makes this book stand out is the expertise of its authors. Seán, a seasoned university lecturer with over 20 years of experience, brings academic rigor and real-world insights, thanks to his work with a prestigious software company. Maaike, a passionate software developer and award-winning trainer, brings hands-on experience and a love for teaching. By the end of this book, you'll not only understand Java's core concepts and the critical advanced ones, but also gain practical experience through projects that mimic real-life challenges.

(MCTS) Microsoft BizTalk Server (70-595) Certification and Assessment Guide. This book does exactly what it says on the cover, giving in-depth guidance to intermediate BizTalk developers on how to pass the Microsoft BizTalk Server 2010 (70-595) exam. It’s your essential aid to success

Morten la Cour, Johan Hedberg, Kent Weare