[Data-Mongers] Using Python for scientific applications

[Nan Galbraith]

This was sent to the Seminars mailing list, I'm forwarding it to
data-mongers and geek-coffee lists because .... I think you may
be interested.  Sorry for any duplicates.  Python is a REALLY
useful language, has modules that do *lots* of interesting things,
runs anywhere, and is very different from anything you may be
using now.

Cheers - Nan

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Using Python for scientific applications"

A Python course will be offered on July 18-20 to the scientific
community in Woods Hole by Rob Hetland, Assistant Professor in the
Department of Oceanography at Texas A & M University.

About Python:
Python is a computer language that is easy to learn and use (like
MATLAB), and is very powerful.  Python is rapidly becoming a standard
language for scientific scripting -- chances are if you work with code,
you will eventually have to deal with somebody else's Python scripts
even if you don't use it as your own primary language.  Many scientists
are developing packages and toolboxes in Python (see, for  example
http://www-pcmdi.llnl.gov/software-portal/cdat, http://
www.pyngl.ucar.edu/, and countless other, smaller packages).  Many
utilities are being developed with Python hooks build in (like VTK, a
3D visualization library).  Stop by and see what all the fuss is about.

Where:   Redfield Auditorium
When:    July 18, 19, 20  from 9a.m. - 11a.m. each day
Topics:   Tuesday, July 18         " The core Python language"
               Wednesday, July 19   "Numerical tools (NumPy and SciPy)"
               Thursday, July 20       "Visualization tools (matplotlib)"

Appropriate Audience:
All are welcome.  The course is not a programing course, but a Python
course, aimed at people who already have some programing experience.
Basic knowledge of MATLAB, IDL or other scientific scripting language
should be plenty.

Course Format:
The course format will be lecture for the first hour (plus a bit).   If
you would like to stay around and try out some of the things discussed,
bring your laptop for help with working examples and  installing modules
in the second part of the class.  No extra modules  are necessary the
first day -- just core Python available at python.org, although you may
wish to install ipython (a 'turbo'  interactive Python shell) available
at ipython.scipy.org so you can  do the examples with me in class.  For
more information, check out  these websites:

    Python home page:    http://www.python.org
    Numerical Python:    http://www.scipy.org
    Visualization:           http://matplotlib.sourceforge.net

Contact / Sponsor
Rich Signell of USGS was the local contact for Rob and suggested the
course to WHOI's Staff Training and Development coordinator in CIS.
Contact Christine Hammond at chammond at whoi.edu with questions.

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* Nan Galbraith            Upper Ocean Processes Group       *
* Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA 02540  *
* http://uop.whoi.edu      (508) 289-2444                    *
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