What is tkinter?

 

1. What is tkinter?

tkinter is a Python library that helps you create graphical user interfaces (GUIs). You can make windows, buttons, text boxes, and more.

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2. Starting a Basic Window

To create a basic window:

import tkinter as tk

# Create the main window
root = tk.Tk()

# Set a title for the window
root.title("My First Window")

# Display the window
root.mainloop()

When you run this code, a blank window will appear.

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3. Adding Things to the Window

You can add "widgets" like labels, buttons, or text boxes.

Add a Label (Text)

label = tk.Label(root, text="Hello, Tkinter!")
label.pack()  # This places the label in the window

Add a Button

def say_hello():
    print("Hello!")

button = tk.Button(root, text="Click Me", command=say_hello)
button.pack()

Add a Text Box

entry = tk.Entry(root)  # Create a text box
entry.pack()

def show_text():
    print("You typed:", entry.get())

button = tk.Button(root, text="Show Text", command=show_text)
button.pack()

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4. Organizing Widgets

Widgets can be arranged using three main methods:

Pack (Simple Stacking)

label.pack()
button.pack()
entry.pack()

Grid (Like a Table)

label.grid(row=0, column=0)
entry.grid(row=0, column=1)
button.grid(row=1, column=0, columnspan=2)

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5. Making the Window Look Better

You can adjust the size of the window:

root.geometry("300x200")  # Width x Height

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6. Example: A Simple App

import tkinter as tk

# Create the main window
root = tk.Tk()
root.title("Simple App")
root.geometry("300x200")

# Add a label
label = tk.Label(root, text="Type something:")
label.pack()

# Add a text box
entry = tk.Entry(root)
entry.pack()

# Add a button
def display_text():
    text = entry.get()
    print("You typed:", text)

button = tk.Button(root, text="Show Text", command=display_text)
button.pack()

# Run the app
root.mainloop()


Explanation
1. Importing the tkinter Library

import tkinter as tk
tkinter is the library used to create graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
We import it as tk to make the code cleaner and easier to write.
2. Creating the Main Window

root = tk.Tk()
Tk() creates the main application window, often called the root window.
root is a variable that stores this window object.
3. Setting Window Properties

root.title("Simple App")
Sets the title of the window to "Simple App". This text appears in the title bar of the window.

root.geometry("300x200")
Sets the size of the window to 300 pixels wide and 200 pixels tall.
4. Adding a Label

label = tk.Label(root, text="Type something:")
label.pack()
tk.Label: Creates a label widget, which is used to display static text or images.
root: Specifies the parent window where the label will appear.
text: The text displayed in the label.
label.pack(): Places the label in the window using the pack layout manager, which automatically positions widgets vertically or horizontally.
5. Adding a Text Box (Entry Widget)

entry = tk.Entry(root)
entry.pack()
tk.Entry: Creates a single-line text input field.
root: Specifies the parent window.
entry.pack(): Adds the text box to the window.
6. Adding a Button

def display_text():
    text = entry.get()  # Retrieves the text from the text box
    print("You typed:", text)  # Prints the text to the console
Function display_text:
entry.get(): Gets the current text in the text box.
print("You typed:", text): Displays the retrieved text in the console.

button = tk.Button(root, text="Show Text", command=display_text)
button.pack()
tk.Button: Creates a button widget.
root: Specifies the parent window.
text: The text displayed on the button.
command: The function to call when the button is clicked (in this case, display_text).
button.pack(): Places the button in the window.
7. Running the Application

root.mainloop()
root.mainloop(): Starts the main event loop, which keeps the window open and responsive.
This loop waits for user interactions like button clicks or text entry and responds accordingly.
How It Works Together
The program creates a window with the title "Simple App" and size 300x200.
A label prompts the user to "Type something."
A text box allows the user to enter some text.
A button labeled "Show Text" appears.
When the button is clicked, the display_text function runs:
It retrieves the text entered in the text box and prints it to the console.
Output Example
User enters "Hello, Tkinter!" in the text box.
User clicks the "Show Text" button.
The console displays:

You typed: Hello, Tkinter!