Python Discussion Group kickoff meeting at School of Computing, University of Leeds

1. Python Discussion Group
School of Computing
University of Leeds
Krishna Dubba

2. Why Python?
Isn’t it obvious?

3. xkcd

4. Why Python?
● FREE, easy to learn, intuitive and probably
the only language you need to learn.

5. Why Python?
● FREE, easy to learn, intuitive and probably
the only language you need to learn.
● Industry ready (I mean production
environment not just research prototype).

6. Why Python?
● FREE, easy to learn, intuitive and probably the
only language you need to learn.
● Industry ready (I mean production environment
not just research prototype).
● Packages available for most of the research
areas or they come with python bindings.

7. Why Python?
● FREE, easy to learn, intuitive and probably the
only language you need to learn.
● Industry ready (I mean production environment
not just research prototype).
● Packages available for most of the research
areas or they come with python bindings.
● Opensource, so lot of people around to help
you

8. Python Power
● IPython (notebook), Numpy, Matplotlib
● Scipy
● Pandas
● Sklearn
● NLTK
● OpenCV
● Biopython
● PyCUDA

9. Python Power
● GUI : wxPython, PyQT etc
● Plots : Matplotlib, Bokeh
● Web : django, zope
● Distributed Computing : bindings for Hadoop
● Scientific Computing : Numpy, Scipy, Blaze
● Image Processing : OpenCV,PIP,Skimage
● Graphs : networkx, igraph
● Interface with other languages: Java, C++, C and
Matlab

10. Python Myths
● Hard to install packages

11. Python Myths
● Hard to install packages
Use Anaconda or Enthought

12. Python Myths
● Hard to install packages
Use Anaconda or Enthought
● Slow

13. Python Myths
● Hard to install packages
Use Anaconda or Enthought
● Slow
Numpy, Scipy etc are based on C code.
And you have Cython, Numba etc as well.

14. Why a PDG?
● School of Mathematics has one!

15. Why a PDG?
● School of Mathematics has one!
● Platform for Python enthusiasts in SoC

16. Why a PDG?
● School of Mathematics has one!
● Platform for Python enthusiasts in SoC
● To help newbies to discover the full power of
Python

17. Why a PDG?
● School of Mathematics has one!
● Platform for Python enthusiasts in SoC
● To help newbies to discover the full power of
Python
● Make programming fun

18. Activities?
● Mailing list

19. Activities?
● Mailing list
● Wiki

20. Activities?
● Mailing list
● Wiki
● github account

21. Activities?
● Mailing list
● Wiki
● github account
● Data hacking and gaming sessions

22. Activities?
● Mailing list
● Wiki
● github account
● Data hacking and gaming sessions
● Tips & Tricks & Talks

23. Activities?
● Mailing list
● Wiki
● github account
● Data hacking and gaming sessions
● Tips & Tricks & Talks
● Sub groups: Kaggle, Project Euler, Text
book groups

24. Activities?
● Mailing list
● Wiki
● github account
● Data hacking and gaming sessions
● Tips & Tricks & Talks
● Sub groups: Kaggle, Project Euler, Text
book groups
● Collaborate with other Python groups