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The Python programming language is a widely used tool for basic research and engineering.  Its rapid rise in popularity is supported by comprehensive, largely open-source, contributions from scientists who use for their own work.  This short course offers an introduction to Python with examples drawn from physics and astronomy.
The Python programming language is a widely used tool for basic research and engineering.  Its rapid rise in popularity is supported by comprehensive, largely open-source, contributions from scientists who use it for their own work.  This short course offers an introduction to Python with examples drawn from physics and astronomy.  


The topics and examples covered are --
 
This resource was developed as part of a full semester
[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Research_Methods Research Methods] class. Various examples that may be useful for
developing small Python programs are collected [http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_examples here]. They are a basis for a few exercises that were assigned during the course are are available [http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_assignments here].
 
 
The topics and examples cover --


#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Programming_for_Physics_and_Astronomy  Why program? Choosing a language.]  
#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Programming_for_Physics_and_Astronomy  Why program? Choosing a language.]  
#Very simple Python
#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Very_simple_Python Very simple Python]
##Installing it on your computer
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Very_simple_Python#Installing_Python_on_your_computer Installing it on your computer]
##Using it in real time
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Very_simple_Python#IDE.27s_and_Editors_and_Python_environments Editors and environments]
##Using code as a standalone program
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Very_simple_Python#Using_Python_in_real_time Using it in real time]
##Example:  
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Very_simple_Python#Using_Python_code_as_a_standalone_program Using code as a standalone program]
##Assignment:  
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_examples Examples]
#Elements of Python programming
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_assignments Assignments]
##Input and output
#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Elements_of_Python_programming Elements of Python programming]
##Data types: numbers and strings
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Elements_of_Python_programming#Input_and_output Input and output]
##Lists, tuples, dictionaries, and statements
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Elements_of_Python_programming#Numbers.2C_text.2C_and_data_types Data types: numbers and strings]
##Mathematics
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Elements_of_Python_programming#Lists.2C_tuples.2C_dictionaries.2C_and_statements Lists, tuples, dictionaries, and statements]
##Example:  
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_examples Examples]
##Assignment:  
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_assignments Assignments]
#Solving problems with Python
#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Solving_problems_with_Python Solving problems with Python]
##Flow control
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Solving_problems_with_Python#Flow.2C_control Flow control]
##Functions
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Solving_problems_with_Python#Functions Functions]
##Iteration
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Solving_problems_with_Python#Iteration Iteration]
##Examples
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_examples Examples]
##Assignments
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_assignments Assignments]
#Graphics
#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Graphics_with_Python Graphics with Python]
##Matplotlib
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Graphics_with_Python#Installation_of_matplotlib Installation of matplotlib]
##Examples
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Graphics_with_Python#Learning_the_basics_of_2D_data_and_function_plotting Learning the basics of 2D data and function plotting]
##Assignments
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Graphics_with_Python#Interactive_plotting Interactive plotting]
#Numpy, Scipy and Scikit
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Graphics_with_Python#A_little_3D_plotting A little 3D plotting]
##Examples
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_examples Examples]
##Assignments
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_assignments Assignments]
#Images
#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/NumPy,_SciPy_and_SciKits NumPy, SciPy and SciKits]
##Python Imaging Library - PIL
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/NumPy,_SciPy_and_SciKits#Numpy Numpy]
##Astronomical FITS files with Pyfits
###Arrays
##FITS headers
###Indexing
##Processing and displaying images
###Functions
##Examples
###Matrix and vector math
##Assignments
###Fourier Transforms
#Data acquisition and processing
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/NumPy,_SciPy_and_SciKits#SciPy_and_SciKits  SciPy and SciKits]
##Real world interfacing
###Interpolation
##Numerical data from images
###Integration
##Fourier Transforms
###Differentiation
##Spectra
###Statistics
##Probability and statistics
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_examples Examples]
##Examples
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_assignments Assignments]
##Assignments
#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Image_processing_with_Python_and_SciPy Image processing with Python and SciPy]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Image_processing_with_Python_and_SciPy#Python_Imaging_Library_-_PIL Python Imaging Library - PIL]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Image_processing_with_Python_and_SciPy#Images_with_NumPy_and_SciPy Images with NumPy and SciPy]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Image_processing_with_Python_and_SciPy#Astronomical_FITS_files_with_PyFITS Astronomical FITS files with PyFITS]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Image_processing_with_Python_and_SciPy#Other_processing Other processing]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Image_processing_with_Python_and_SciPy#SciKits SciKits]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_examples Examples]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Python_assignments Assignments]
#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/User_Interfaces User interfaces]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/User_Interfaces#Command_Line_Interfacing_and_Access_to_the_Operating_System  Command line interfacing and access to the operating system]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/User_Interfaces#Graphical_User_Interfacing  Graphical user interfacing]
##[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/User_Interfaces#Running_a_Server_with_Javascript  Running a server with javascript]
#[http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/How_to_Create_a_Javascript_Program How to create a javascript program]
 
 
These topics may be added to a longer version of this course or as working notes when time allows.
 
#Real world interfacing
##Instrumentation and communication
##Serial ports
##USB
##TCPIP
##Threading
##Incorporating manufacturer's code
#Working with the web
#Working with the web
##HTTP servers
##HTTP servers
##Common gateway interface -CGI
##Getting data from servers
##Using Python with CGI
##Sending data to servers
##Server-side processing
##Common gateway interface - CGI
##Examples
##Using Python with CGI  
##Assignments
##Programming for server-side processing
#Comparing Python to applications with other languages
#Python and  other languages
##Web development with Android
##Bash scripting in Unix-like systems
##Instrument control and data analysis with LABView
##Very simple C
##Astronomical calculations with Java: AstroCC
##Using Python with other code
##Astronomical image processing and photometry with Java: AstroImageJ
##Android for web development
##LabVIEW for instrument control and data analysis
##Java for astronomical calculations: AstroCC and AstroImageJ

Revision as of 08:57, 8 February 2017

The Python programming language is a widely used tool for basic research and engineering. Its rapid rise in popularity is supported by comprehensive, largely open-source, contributions from scientists who use it for their own work. This short course offers an introduction to Python with examples drawn from physics and astronomy.


This resource was developed as part of a full semester Research Methods class. Various examples that may be useful for developing small Python programs are collected here. They are a basis for a few exercises that were assigned during the course are are available here.


The topics and examples cover --

  1. Why program? Choosing a language.
  2. Very simple Python
    1. Installing it on your computer
    2. Editors and environments
    3. Using it in real time
    4. Using code as a standalone program
    5. Examples
    6. Assignments
  3. Elements of Python programming
    1. Input and output
    2. Data types: numbers and strings
    3. Lists, tuples, dictionaries, and statements
    4. Examples
    5. Assignments
  4. Solving problems with Python
    1. Flow control
    2. Functions
    3. Iteration
    4. Examples
    5. Assignments
  5. Graphics with Python
    1. Installation of matplotlib
    2. Learning the basics of 2D data and function plotting
    3. Interactive plotting
    4. A little 3D plotting
    5. Examples
    6. Assignments
  6. NumPy, SciPy and SciKits
    1. Numpy
      1. Arrays
      2. Indexing
      3. Functions
      4. Matrix and vector math
      5. Fourier Transforms
    2. SciPy and SciKits
      1. Interpolation
      2. Integration
      3. Differentiation
      4. Statistics
    3. Examples
    4. Assignments
  7. Image processing with Python and SciPy
    1. Python Imaging Library - PIL
    2. Images with NumPy and SciPy
    3. Astronomical FITS files with PyFITS
    4. Other processing
    5. SciKits
    6. Examples
    7. Assignments
  8. User interfaces
    1. Command line interfacing and access to the operating system
    2. Graphical user interfacing
    3. Running a server with javascript
  9. How to create a javascript program


These topics may be added to a longer version of this course or as working notes when time allows.

  1. Real world interfacing
    1. Instrumentation and communication
    2. Serial ports
    3. USB
    4. TCPIP
    5. Threading
    6. Incorporating manufacturer's code
  2. Working with the web
    1. HTTP servers
    2. Getting data from servers
    3. Sending data to servers
    4. Common gateway interface - CGI
    5. Using Python with CGI
    6. Programming for server-side processing
  3. Python and other languages
    1. Bash scripting in Unix-like systems
    2. Very simple C
    3. Using Python with other code
    4. Android for web development
    5. LabVIEW for instrument control and data analysis
    6. Java for astronomical calculations: AstroCC and AstroImageJ