Python Installation and Basic Programming

Here we will assemble resources for learning Python, and for getting it and other programming-related software installed on your computer.

For a scientific programmer in Python, the absolute basics you need to have installed are:

• Python 2.X (note that 3.X exists and is maturing, but a lot of scientific code and packages are not yet ported)
• NumPy: a package for fast numerical array processing
• Matplotlib/Pylab: a package for generating publication-quality plots
• GIT: a revision-control program for keeping tabs on the changes you make to your code. Not just for python.

Python

Topical Videos

• Introduction to Programs Data Types and Variables by Khan Academy
• Python Lists by Khan Academy
• For Loops in Python by Khan Academy
• While Loops in Python by Khan Academy
• Fun with Strings by Khan Academy
• Writing a Simple Factorial Program by Khan Academy
• ... there are lots more by Khan Academy ...
• Simpler Insertion Sort Function

Links

• Josh Bloom's Python Boot Camp offers a wealth of resources for getting started with Python. In particular, see:
  • Instructions for installing all of the packages mentioned above.
  • Useful links to Python resources
• Python for Scientific Computing has a list of resources on various topics relevant to a scientist getting started with Python
• Scipy astronomy tutorial covers reading in and analyzing data in scipy, mostly focusing on FITS files, but with some other useful information for those with data in other formats
• A Google Class on Python
• The Python Tutorial

GIT

Please see the Revision Control page,