DEV Community

John Mark Bulabos
John Mark Bulabos

Posted on

Python: Top 5 Ways to Automate Your Life and Have More Time for Fun!

Are you so 'for looped' in your daily tasks that you can’t 'if-else' your way to some fun? 🐍 Don’t fret! Python is here to add some zest to your life! Be it sorting socks or texting your grandma - we've got you covered. Sit back, sip on your latte, and let’s 'def fun()' our lives!

1. The Exhilarating Email Automation

Do you spend hours sending out emails? 📧 Well, smoothen your scales, cause Python will do it ‘on-the-fly’. 🐍

import smtplib

def send_emails(email_list, subject, message):
    server = smtplib.SMTP('smtp.gmail.com', 587)
    server.starttls()
    server.login('your_email@gmail.com', 'your_password')

    for email in email_list:
        server.sendmail('your_email@gmail.com', email, f'Subject: {subject}\n\n{message}')
    server.quit()

email_list = ['friend1@gmail.com', 'friend2@gmail.com']
subject = "Let's Hiss Together"
message = "Python just saved me! Wanna hang out?"
send_emails(email_list, subject, message)
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Disclaimer: Never hard-code your password. Use environment variables. And don’t use this for spam. Python will not be amused.

2. Automatic Grandma Texter 📱

Don’t be a snake in the grass; keep in touch with your fam! Here’s a code to send those weekly “I miss you” texts.

from twilio.rest import Client

def text_grandma():
    account_sid = 'your_account_sid'
    auth_token = 'your_auth_token'
    client = Client(account_sid, auth_token)

    message = client.messages.create(
        body="Hey Grandma, I love and miss you! Python sends its regards!",
        from_='your_twilio_number',
        to='grandma_phone_number'
    )

text_grandma()
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Disclaimer: Make sure you have a Twilio account and API tokens. Also, no prank texting, unless it’s to ask if their refrigerator is running.

3. Autopilot Plant Watering System 🌱

Can’t keep a plant alive? Python is here to 'while True:' your plants to lushness!

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

# Use the pin number as the numbering reference
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BOARD)
# Pin 12 will control the pump
GPIO.setup(12, GPIO.OUT)

def water_plant():
    # turn the pump on
    GPIO.output(12, GPIO.HIGH)
    # wait 1 second
    time.sleep(1)
    # turn the pump off
    GPIO.output(12, GPIO.LOW)

# water the plant every 6 hours
while True:
    water_plant()
    time.sleep(6 * 60 * 60)
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Disclaimer: Ensure the hardware is correctly connected. Consult a botanist for watering frequencies.

4. 'Lambda' Your Budgeting 📈

Lambdas aren't just for show, they can also help you manage your shekels.

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

expenses = {
    'rent': 1000,
    'groceries': 300,
    'python_stickers': 50,
    'fun': 200
}

# Lambda function to add some expense
add_expense = lambda k, v: expenses.update({k: v})

# Lambda function to remove some expense
remove_expense = lambda k: expenses.pop(k, None)

# Add an expense for python plushie
add_expense('python_plushie', 25)

# Remove python_stickers, who needs stickers when you got a plushie
remove_expense('python_stickers')

def plot_budget(expenses):
    plt.bar(expenses.keys(), expenses.values())
    plt.ylabel('Dollars')
    plt.title('Monthly Budget - now with plushies!')
    plt.show()

plot_budget(expenses)
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Disclaimer: Please note that a diet of Python plushies and stickers is not nutritionally complete. Ensure to budget for actual food. 🍔

5. The Chore Wheel Solver 🎡

Is the chore wheel in your house more debated than tabs vs spaces? Python can ‘randomize’ the fairness!

import random

chores = ['dishes', 'vacuum', 'litter box', 'windows']
housemates = ['Alex', 'Charlie', 'Jordan']

def assign_chores(chores, housemates):
    assignments = {}
    for housemate in housemates:
        chore = random.choice(chores)
        assignments[housemate] = chore
        chores.remove(chore)

    return assignments

print(assign_chores(chores, housemates))
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Disclaimer: Python does not take responsibility for any chore-induced tantrums or silent treatments.

Pythonically Time Management 🎖

So now that Python is saving your day, what will you do with all this free time? You could take up snake charming, or maybe master the ancient art of pun crafting. But remember, with great Python power comes great responsibility. Don't use your coding powers for evil, like hacking the mainframe, starting a robot uprising, or worse, writing a Java app. 😲

And always remember, if you're coding and you get stuck, rubber duck debugging is your friend. Unless your rubber duck is afraid of snakes, in which case, you might need a rubber mongoose.

Closing Ssssssssssssumary

Python can help you shed the time-consuming skin of menial tasks. Embrace the 'return to fun' in your life! Write a script, save some time, hug your grandma, and don’t let your cactus die! Python’s got your back, like a trusty sidekick or that friend who always has gum. 🍬

Before you slither away, make sure to coil yourself around my YouTube channel PAIton and Crossovers and hit the subscribe button! The channel is filled with Python gold nuggets and maybe, just maybe, a few more snake jokes. Python and I await you there with bells on! 🐍🔔

Words won’t byte, so keep coding!


Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and entertainment purposes. The author and the publisher are not responsible for any damages, frustrations, or cactus revolts that may occur as a result of trying the examples in real life. Always remember to code responsibly and ethically.

Top comments (0)