Code Snippet #9: aww it's so tiny!

OK so today in python(It was gonna be C++ but I hate C++ and visual studio code was being annoying) we have a URL shortner, originally it was gonna be just pure code where you type in the url into a terminal and all that jazz, but I made some changes and got a GUI made with Tkinter.

so here is the code itself:

# Install the pyshorteners library using pip:

# pip install pyshorteners

# I think Tkinter comes with python so no need to install

# use this URL to test it out: https://codesuitcases.blogspot.com/

import tkinter as tk

import pyshorteners

def shorten_url():

    url = urlEntry.get()

    # Create a Shortener object

    s = pyshorteners.Shortener()

    # Shorten the URL

    shortened_url = s.tinyurl.short(url)

   

    resultL.set(shortened_url)

window = tk.Tk()

instructLabel = tk.Label(window, text="Enter URL:")

instructLabel.pack(pady=10)

urlEntry = tk.Entry(window, width=40)

urlEntry.pack()

strtBtn = tk.Button(window, text="Shorten URL", command=shorten_url)

strtBtn.pack(pady=10)

resultL = tk.StringVar()

result_entry = tk.Entry(window, width=40, state="readonly", textvariable=resultL)

result_entry.pack(pady=10)

window.mainloop()

and here is the Execution man:

Code Execution:

first things first!
# Ensure you have the pyshorteners library using pip: pip install pyshorteners

Code Breakdown:

Importing Libraries:

We start by importing Tkinter for the graphical user interface and pyshorteners for interacting with URL shortening services.

Creating the Main Window:

Tkinter initializes the main window where our URL shortening tool will come to life.

Label Widget for Instruction:

A user-friendly label guides users to input the URL they wish to shorten. Clarity is key for a smooth user experience.

Entry Widget for URL Input:

An entry widget allows users to enter the URL they want to shorten. Its width is set to 40 characters, providing ample space for longer URLs.

Button Widget for URL Shortening:

The "Shorten URL" button triggers the URL shortening process. It's connected to the shorten_url function for seamless functionality.

Function shorten_url():

This function, the heart of our application, takes the user's input, communicates with TinyURL through pyshorteners, and updates the result for display.

Entry Widget for Displaying Shortened URL:

Another entry widget displays the shortened URL. It's set to "readonly" to prevent unintended edits, and its content dynamically updates based on the result.

Running the Tkinter Main Loop:

Tkinter's main loop ensures our UI stays responsive, allowing users to interact with the application until they choose to close it.

Understanding the URL Shortener Algorithm:

The algorithm here is simple:

User inputs a URL.

The shorten_url function contacts TinyURL through pyshorteners.

The shortened URL is displayed in the UI.

Application and Learning:

User-Friendly URL Shortening:

Integrate this snippet into your Python projects to provide users with a quick and user-friendly URL shortening experience.

Pyshorteners in Action:

Explore how the pyshorteners library streamlines the URL shortening process, making it accessible and efficient.

Conclusion:

• Expand your Horizons by doing things such as:
• Customization: Experiment with different color schemes or fonts to personalize the interface.
• Error Handling: Incorporate error handling to gracefully handle invalid URLs or network issues.
• Service Selection: Explore other URL shortening services supported by pyshorteners to expand options for users.
• Copy Functionality: Add a button to allow users to easily copy the shortened URL to their clipboard.

With this URL shortener in your toolkit, you'll conquer those lengthy links and create a more streamlined online experience!