Day 9 of 100 Days Coding Challenge: Python
Once upon a time—aka last year—I built my first tip calculator in Python. It lived in the command line, wore black, and gave off strong hacker-in-a-diner vibes. You’d open the terminal, type in your numbers, and squint like you were breaking into a Michelin-starred mainframe.
Fast forward to today: that humble little tool got a much-needed makeover. Out with the minimalism, in with the buttons and window dressing. I gave it a GUI, added some visual flair, and—because I can’t resist—threw in a few emoji just for the drama. Because splitting the check shouldn’t feel like tax season, it should feel like friendship, math you can trust, and just a dash of fun.
Today’s Motivation / Challenge
Splitting the bill is easy… until someone pulls out a calculator and says, “Wait, how much with tip?” Then it becomes a group project in advanced math, complete with decimal debates and passive-aggressive sighs. Today’s challenge was to take that stress and turn it into something visual, intuitive, and mildly delightful. A GUI tip calculator solves a real-world problem with just enough code to feel proud—but not overwhelmed. It’s also a great excuse to practice building interfaces without becoming a full-time software architect.
Purpose of the Code (Object)
This program prompts the user to enter the number of people in the group, the total bill, and the desired tip percentage. Then it calculates the tip, adds it to the total, and shows how much each person owes. It’s a handy tool for group dinners or awkward birthday lunches when no one wants to do mental math.
AI Prompt
Create a GUI app in Python that:
- Asks the user for number of people, bill amount, and tip percentage
- Calculates total tip, total amount with tip, and per-person payment
- Displays the results in a user-friendly window with labeled input fields and a result area
Functions & Features
- Prompts for number of people, bill amount, and desired tip percentage
- Calculates total tip and total amount
- Splits the bill evenly between party members
- Displays everything in a clean, readable GUI with labeled entries and a result section
Requirements / Setup
Library Requirement: pip install tk
This app runs on Python 3.x and uses the built-in tkinter module for the interface.
Minimal Code Sample
tip_amt = receipt_amt * (tip_percent / 100)
total_amt = receipt_amt + tip_amt
per_person = total_amt / num_peopleThis logic calculates the tip and divides the total among the group.
Notes / Lessons Learned
Once the app was running, I showed it off to my husband. He clicked the buttons, tried a few different amounts, and gave it a test run with some imaginary sushi bills. No standing ovation, but he did mumble, “Hmm, not bad,” with just enough approval to make me smug.
Honestly, the hardest part wasn’t the math—it was spacing the widgets just right. Building GUIs is like setting a dinner table: all the pieces matter, and you’ll only notice when something is off.
Optional Ideas for Expansion
- Add a dropdown for common tip amounts (10%, 15%, 20%)
- Include a dark mode (because tip math deserves mood lighting)
- Add a “copy to clipboard” button to paste payment amounts into your group chat