Python is a programming language used for a wide variety of applications including scientific computation, image processing, text processing, file handling, graphics, database handling, and web interfaces. It is designed to be elegant, concise, and easy to learn, while offering many advanced features.
This workshop is an introduction to Python, and to the resources you need to start learning and using Python, for those with little or no programming experience. Programming is best learned by doing, so the workshop is participatory, with many short, simple exercises.
The workshop will be split into two sessions: a morning session from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, and then an afternoon session from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM. We will take additional breaks during the workshop as needed.
Participants will become familiar with basic programming concepts, some general and some specific to Python. These will include various data types such as strings, integers, floats, lists, and dictionaries; and statements such as import, if/else, for, and try/except. They will also be made aware of various add-on modules for Python such as numpy for numerical calculations and matplotlib for plotting.
This workshop assumes no previous programming experience, though some participants with limited programming experience may still find the workshop useful.
Overarching requirements for all PICSciE virtual workshops are listed at https://researchcomputing.princeton.edu/education/training/virtual-workshop-requirements. Participants should ensure they have met these requirements in advance, as there will be no technical troubleshooting during the workshop itself.
In addition to the general requirements, participants who want to follow along with the examples and exercises should install the Anaconda Python distribution ahead of time on their own laptops. Instructions for installing Anaconda, running Jupyter, downloading and viewing a notebook, and verifying that your setup is successful can be found on the the advance setup guide for PICSciE virtual workshops. Because we are holding the workshop online, we will not be able to provide installation help or troubleshooting during the workshop. So please install Anaconda Python, and be sure that you can do the following before the workshop:
Those who need additional help installing Anaconda Python, running Jupyter, or viewing an iPython notebook should attend the “setup assistance session” on Monday January 18. THERE WILL BE LITTLE TO NO TROUBLESHOOTING DURING THE SESSION ITSELF!
Alternately, participants without Anaconda installed on their laptops who prefer to run Jupyter Notebooks remotely on one of Princeton’s systems can do so the “myadroit” web interface to the Adroit cluster. To access myadroit, you should first register for an account on Adroit, as described in the advance setup guide for PICSciE virtual workshops. Then, connect to “myadroit” and start a Jupyter session, as described here.
Presentation, demo, and hands-on
All presentation materials are in this Github repo.
A recording of the session is here (requires active Princeton NetID to view).