Introduction to Python Programming#

  • Instructor: Linh B. Ngo

  • Office: 358 Curtis Hall

  • Email: lbn28 AT drexel DOT edu

Workshop Description#

This Workshop will introduce Python for those that have little to no programming experience and consists of two parts:

  • Part 1: A quick introduction to Python and its basic data analytic capability in processing and visualizing data.

  • Part 2: A more in-depth view into programming concepts in Python, including loops, conditions, functions, and testing and debugging.

The workshop uses materials from Software Carpentry’s Programming with Python lesson.

Prerequisites#

No prerequisites are required

Software Setup on PC (Laptop or Desktop)#

Windows

  • Open https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual#download-section with your web browser.

  • Download the Anaconda for Windows installer with Python 3. (If you are not sure which version to choose, you probably want the 64-bit Graphical Installer Anaconda3-…-Windows-x86_64.exe)

  • Install `Python 3`` by running the Anaconda Installer, using all of the defaults for installation except make sure to check Add Anaconda to my PATH environment variable.

MacOS

  • Open https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual#download-section with your web browser.

  • Download the Anaconda Installer with Python 3 for macOS (you can either use the Graphical or the Command Line Installer).

  • Install Python 3 by running the Anaconda Installer using all of the defaults for installation.

Linux

  • Open https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual#download-section with your web browser.

  • Download the Anaconda Installer with Python 3 for Linux. The installation requires using the shell.

  • Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory where the executable is downloaded (e.g., cd ~/Downloads).

  • Type bash Anaconda3 and then press Tab to autocomplete the full file name. The name of file you just downloaded should appear.

  • Press Enter (or Return depending on your keyboard). You will follow the text-only prompts.

    • To move through the text, press Spacebar.

    • Type yes and press Enter (or Return) to approve the license.

    • Press Enter (or Return) to approve the default location for the files.

    • Type yes and press Enter (or Return) to prepend Anaconda to your PATH (this makes the Anaconda distribution the default Python).

    • Close the terminal window.

Data preparation

  • Create a directory on your Desktop called swc-python. Download the following files into the swc-python directory:

  • Go to swc-python and unzip these two files. You should see the two directories: data and code created.

Getting data for Desktops

Launch Jupyter Notebook (Step 1)

  • Launch Anaconda Navigator

    • On Windows, type Anaconda Navigator into the Search Bar and launch the app

    • On Mac, type Anaconda Navigator into the search box (magnifying glass on top right corner) and launch the app.

  • Launch JupyterLab

Launch Anaconda Navigator

Launch Jupyter Notebook (Step 2)

  • By default, Jupyter Notebook will launch inside your Document folder (Windows), or inside your home directory (MacOS).

  • You can see the Desktop directory.

  • Double-click to get into Desktop, then into swc-python. You should see the data and code directores ready.

Launch Anaconda Navigator