Python resources

Now that you’re all set up with Anaconda and your Jupyter Notebook, you want to start learning how to code in Python. Importantly, at the onset of the course, knowledge of the basics of Python is assumed. Importantly you will be expected to:

• Know the difference between different data types in Python
• Be able to implement basic arithmetic and logic operations
• Be able to implement conditional flow logic: if/else, for and while
• Have a basic understanding of 2 of the most important libraries: Numpy and Pandas

Below are a few great resources to begin learning Python

Absolute beginner (no coding experience)

• Datacamp’s (free) Python basics
• Codecademy’s (free) intro to Python

Intermediate (coded before, but not in Python)

• Think Python: How to think like a computer scientist is the go-to resource, see here. What makes this a great resources is the availability of all of the code for the exercises together with their solutions.

Learn about Numpy and Pandas

• Datacamp’s Numpy tutorial
• Justin Johnson’s good intro to Numpy (with some added bits about Scipy and Matplotlib)
• Datacamp on Pandas
• Dataquest has a great Pandas tutorial too, see part 1 and part 2