Introduction to Python

Session Overview

Launching Python
Versions
Python as a Calculator
Variable Assignment
Beginning data structures

Let’s Play!

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Why Python for Data Science?

Scripted Language
Robust support for data science applications
Extensive scientific computing libraries (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy)
Rich ecosystem of cloud computing tools
Clear, readable syntax perfect for scientific workflows
Huge community support and documentation
Current standard for Deep Learning and LLM development/deployment

Python in the Cloud

Native support in all cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)
Excellent for working with cloud storage (S3, Google Cloud Storage)
Great tools for parallel processing of big data
Seamless integration with cloud databases and APIs
Natively integrates with containerization and deployment

Launching Python

Run python3 on the command line.
What version are you running?
What is your prompt?

Calculations

Try addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication

What is the difference between 2.0 + 1.0 and 2+1?

What about 10/2?

Variable Assignment

Variables are stored using the = in python.

a = 2
b = 3
c = 1.0

a + b + c

Variable Assignment

a = "Hello"
b = "World"

a 
b 

a + b

a + b + c

Beginning Data Structures

What are Data Types?

Beginning Data Structures

What are Data Types?

How data are stored in memory:

Integers: int
Floats: float, complex
Strings (Text): str
Boolean: bool

Beginning Data Structures

a = "Hello"
type(a)

b = 2
type(b)

c = 2 + 1j
type(c)

d = True
e = False
type(d)
type(e)

Beginning Data Structures

a = 10
b = 2
c = a/b

type(a)
type(b)
type(c)

Beginning Data Structures

a = 2.0

b = str(a)
b

type(a)
type(b)

a = "2.0"

b = int(a)
b = float(a)

type(a)
type(b)

c = int(b)
type(c)

Beginning Data Structures

Make 24 from dividing two large numbers.

When done:

quit()