Python Fundamentals

WoCCode Summer Bootcamp 2023

What we WILL cover

What we WON’T cover

• Functionalities that make Python different from other languages,�pros and cons
• Explain what Python is doing in the background - to give you intuition for debugging and navigating documentation
• Built-in Python objects
• Introduction to concept of namespaces
• Introduction to Numpy
• Introduction to IPython commands for efficiency testing
• Introduction to writing functions
• Docstrings and why they are important
• Writing Python scripts
• Importing your own libraries to Python

• Introduction to computer programming logic
• Introduction of Python syntax
• Specialty packages like scipy, Pandas, seaborn, or Astropy (brief mentions only)

Free online Python tutorials:

• https://realpython.com/learning-paths/python-basics/
• https://www.programiz.com/python-programming
• https://www.w3schools.com/python/

Jupyter Notebook: Download Method 1

Step 3 (in terminal):

git clone git@github.com:woccode/summer-bootcamp-2023.git

cd summer-bootcamp-2023/Session-2/

jupyter notebook 2-PythonFundamentals.ipynb

https://github.com/woccode/summer-bootcamp-2023

Jupyter notebook: Download Method 2

Step 2 (in terminal):

cd ~/Downloads/

jupyter notebook 2-PythonFundamentals.ipynb

https://github.com/woccode/summer-bootcamp-2023/blob/main/Session-2/2-PythonFundamentals.ipynb

Let’s get started! Built-in Python objects

Covered:

• int and float type objects
• strings, dictionaries, and lists
• for loops, logic statements, if/else
• using the “{}”.format() to produce formatted strings
• Python zip function

Not covered (see linked resources):

• complex number objects, sets, and tuples
• string manipulation and print formatting options
• building lists with list comprehension

A pause to consider Python Namespaces

GOOD PRACTICE TIP:

Let’s get into Math: Introduction to Numpy

When you:

import numpy as np

you can access numpy libraries with the prefix np.

​

For example,

x = np.array([1., 2., 3.])

see Jupyter notebook example

Defining Functions – and more importantly – DocStrings

Scripting in Python - example code

https://github.com/woccode/summer-bootcamp-2023/blob/main/Session-2/taylor_expansions.py

Scripting in Python

First line needed to execute it from command line.

Import libraries and write code as usual.

Put special numbers and global settings at the top

Scripting in Python

https://realpython.com/if-name-main-python/

Scripting in Python

Another option:

python taylor_expansions.py 10

Importing your own Python libraries - Method 1

Importing your own Python libraries - Method 1

To make it permanent, include the export command in your�.bashrc (Linux) or .bash_profile (MacOS) file