Fall 2019
Department of Atmospheric Science
University of Utah

ATMOS 5020: Environmental Programming

This repository contains lecture notes, in-class exercises, code, data, and other information. Check the Canvas page for "Check your understanding" quizzes, assignments, and homework.

Below is some general information.

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How to download this repository

In the command line, navigate to your Desktop (cd Desktop) and type the following in the command line:

git clone https://github.com/johnhorel/ATMOS_5020_2019

or download the zip file.

To update the repository, cd into the ATMOS_5020_2019 directory and type

git pull

Note: If you have a Windows PC you will need to download and install git for Windows and use the command prompt.

How to view Jupyter Notebooks

Python Notebooks should render on Github. If they don't, copy the notebook URL and and view it with the nbviewer: https://nbviewer.jupyter.org/.

Alternatively, download the notebook by right clicking the 'raw' button and selecting 'save as' and then open the notebook in Jupyter Lab.

Schedule

Date	Topics
Aug 20	Introduction, Set up computers
Aug 22	Programming concepts, Linux, Shell scripts
Aug 27	Shell scripts, working on CHPC machine
Aug 29	HTML, make your own webpage
Sep 3	Introduction to Python
Sep 5, Part 2	Python in Jupyter Lab: Loops, if statements, etc.
Sep 10	Python: Functions, Matplotlib
Sep 12, Supplemental	Python: Pandas
Sep 17	Python: Advanced matplotlib (datetime, 2-D plots, etc.)
Sep 19	Pyhton: Plotting GOES data -- reading example docs online

Quick Guides

• How to log onto CHPC computers: ssh -Y uXXXXXXX@meteo07.chpc.utah.edu
• Linux Cheatsheet 1
• Linux Cheatsheet 2
• Python Cheatsheet
  • Numpy Cheatsheet
  • Matplotlib Cheatsheet
  • Jupyter Notbook Shortcuts
• Markdown Formatting (These notes are written in markdown)
• Basic vi commands
• Another vi cheat sheet

💻 Setting Up Your Personal Computer

Log-on to CHPC: If you are a windows user and you want to log onto the CHPC resources, you must install Putty and Xming and follow these instructions for logging in. Mac users can use the terminal like we do in the classroom.

Install Python: The recommended way to install Python on your personal computer is with the Anaconda distribution service.

• You can install packages with the Anaconda Navigator tool in the "Environments" tab.
• Brian's instructions give a few more details to install Python with Anaconda on your personal computer
• The Unidata workshop also has some instructions on how to set up your environment.
• We also recommend you install a good text editor, like VSCode (available for download through the Anaconda Launcher).

🐍 Learn Python

The purpose of this class is to introduce you to programming principles. Your programming skill will only improve after hours and hours of practice. If you plan on using Python after this class, it is highly recommended that you learn from other resources, use it for other classes, and use it for a capstone or research project. There are several free Python learning courses that will really help you learn Python, like Codecademy (version 2 has a lot of free stuff and it's pretty close to version 3). The Unidata training is another useful resource.