Online Course in Python Programming | an introduction to a great scripting language
Why should you learn Python?
While many software packages have been developed and distributed to support bioinformatic analysis, we still find it incredibly helpful to have basic knowledge of a scripting language. Being able to read, write and (most critically) understand code enables novice bioinformaticians to get more involved with the analysis of their datasets. A large part of modern bioinformatics workflows is the manipulation of enormous text files. Next-generation sequencing datasets are often far too large to be easily manipulated in Excel. Adding and removing columns, sorting datasets, and converting between data formats almost always require the use of some scripting language.
We find that Python is an excellent candidate language for individuals looking to venture into basic applications of bioinformatics and computational biology. Python offers several attractive features for newcomers to programming:
- It is relatively easy to install Python and set up a development environment
- Python script is incredibly readable, as compared to some other languages
- Python is well-documented, with a large, established bioinformatics user community available for help
We have developed and offer here a free online course to help introduce users to Python. The course consists of video lectures, supporting slides, sample Python programs, and programming assignments.
Introduction to Python Programming Course Outline
| Topics Covered | ||
|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | Setting up the Python development environment | Launch Module » |
| Module 2 | Introduction to programming Python interactive environment Built-in functions |
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| Module 3 | Introduction to variable types (numbers, strings, boolean) Text editors Command line Python programs |
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| Module 4 | Advanced numbers, strings, and boolean variables Program flow - linear coding |
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| Module 5 | Program flow - if, else, if elif Program flow - functions |
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| Module 6 | Data structures - lists Program flow - loops ("for") |
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| Module 7 | Review of concepts covered Introduction to codingbat |
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| Module 8 | Program flow - loops ("while") Program flow - loops (advanced) |
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| Module 9 | Reading data from files Parsing data read from files Writing data to files |
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| Module 10 | Data structures - dictionaries | Launch Module » |
| Module 11 | Command line arguments Command line options |
Launch Module » |