Introduction to the Python

programming language
GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center,
University of Zurich

Mar. 1920, 2014

Welcome!

Introduction

University of Zurich, GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center

Mar. 1920, 2014

What is the GC3?

A bridge between research

and computational infrastructure
Support scientists in running large-scale data
processing.
Develop tools to better integrate scientific usecases.
Provide access to innovative infrastructures and
technologies.
Want to know more ? http:// www.gc3.uzh.ch

Introduction

University of Zurich, GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center

Mar. 1920, 2014

And what about you?

Introduction

University of Zurich, GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center

Mar. 1920, 2014

Prerequisites

This course assumes a basic experience with

computer programming.
Any language should do, as long as you are already
familiar with the concepts of variables and functions.

Introduction

University of Zurich, GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center

Mar. 1920, 2014

Where to find the course material

These slides and all the example files can be

downloaded from the course web page at:
http://www.gc3.uzh.ch/edu/python

Better keep a browser tab open on that page.

(After the course is over, please rate it and the material
using the feedback form on that same page)

Introduction

University of Zurich, GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center

Mar. 1920, 2014

A helpful tool

The Online Python Tutor is a free tool to visualize the

Online Python Tutor - Visualize program execution
http://pythontutor.com/visu
execution of small Python programs step-by-step.
Frames

1 msg = "Welcome to Python!"

2

Global variables

3 print (msg)

msg

"Welcome to Python!"

Edit code

<< First

< Back

Step 2 of 2

Forward >

Last >>

line that has just executed

next line to execute

Program output:

Feel free to use it for the course exercises and your

own code: http://pythontutor.com/visualize.html

Introduction

University of Zurich, GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center

Generate URL

Mar. 1920, 2014

Objec

Further reading

The Python tutorial,

http://docs.python.org/tutorial/

The Zen of Python in 3 days,

http://pixelmonkey.org/pub/python-training/

Python for Java programmers, http:

//python4java.necaiseweb.org/Main/TableOfContents

For an extensive and commented list, see: https:

//github.com/gc3-uzh-ch/python-course/blob/master/refs.mdwn

Introduction

University of Zurich, GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center

Mar. 1920, 2014

Python 2 vs Python 3
There are currently two major versions of Python
available, with slightly different syntax and features.
Python 2.7 is the last release in the 2.x series.
Python 3.x has a more polished syntax, removing
inconsistencies and some historical baggage.
But Python 2.x is still the default on most Linux
distributions and some major Python packages have
not yet been ported to Py3, so we shall focus on Py2
syntax.
Watch a debate between Pro and Contra advocates:
http:// www.physik.uzh.ch/ nchiapol/ webm/ 3 1 Python3.webm

Introduction

University of Zurich, GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center

Mar. 1920, 2014

Next steps

The course will be structured as a mixture of slides

and hands-on sessions for practicing Python
programming. The GC3 folks are here to help: ask
them questions!
So, the very first step is to set up your workstation so
that you can edit files and run Python code.

Introduction

University of Zurich, GC3: Grid Computing Competence Center

Mar. 1920, 2014