Python Mini-Course

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Day 1 Lesson 1Getting Started

• Python Mini-Course
• University of Oklahoma
• Department of Psychology

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Lesson objectives

1. Describe what Python is
2. Understand how Python can be used in behavioral
   science
3. Install Python and add-ins

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What is Python?

• General purpose computer programming language
• Has math and science add-ins
• Has GUI add-ins
• Multi-platform
• Same program can run on MS Windows, Mac OS X,
  Linux, etc.

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What can I do with Python?

• Write programs to run experiments
• Example Trivia Lag Expt
• Computational modeling
• Example fSAMpy
• Statistical analyses
• Example bootstrapping

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What can I do with Python?

• Data processing and analysis
• PyParse (Kahana lab)
• fMRI (Waisman Brain Imaging Lab)
• Just about anything else you can think of
• Games, graphics, audio apps, even cell phone
  apps(http//www.awaretek.com/pymo.html)

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How does Python compare

• Other languages (C, C, Visual Basic, Java,
  etc.)
• Python is easier to learn
• Python is just as powerful
• Python is NOT as widely used

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How does Python compare

• Scientific computing packages (Matlab and
  Mathematica)
• Statistical packages (SAS, SPSS, R, etc.)

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Python isFREE
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How to get and install Python

• Were going to install several components
• Python the main language
• wxPython for building and running GUIs
• NumPy and SciPy for numeric and scientific
  computing
• SPE (Stanis Python Editor)

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Installing Python

• www.python.org/download/releases/2.5.4
• Find your platform (Windows or MacOS X) and click
  on the download link
• Save the file to your hard drive
• Run the installer program

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Installing wxPython

• http//www.wxpython.org/download.php
• Windows
• download win32-unicode
• MacOS X
• download osx-unicode
• Save the install file, then run it

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Installing NumPy

• http//numpy.scipy.org/
• Click on the download link
• Download numpy-1.3.0rc2 for your platform and
  Python version
• Run the install file

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Installing SciPy

• http//sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group
  _id27747
• Click on the download link
• Download scipy0.7.0 for your platform and Python
  version
• Run the install file

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Installing SPE

• For MS Windows
• http//prdownload.berlios.de/python/SPE-0.8.4.c-wx
  2.6.1.0-no_setup.zip
• Unzip it to somewhere you will remember (e.g.,
  Program Files) but dont rename the folder
  anything other than _spe.
• Go inside the _spe directory you just created and
  double click SPE.py

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Installing SPE

• For Mac OS X
• http//olczyk.krzysztof.googlepages.com/SPE.dmg
• Save the file, mount the disk image, and follow
  the instructions

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Python resources

• www.python.org
• http//python.org/doc/2.5/tut/tut.html
• www.scipy.org
• http//numpy.scipy.org