Python

Resources For Learning Python

Though not comparable in size to the truly enormous userbase of C++, Java and C#, Python still boasts a highly active community and a correspondingly large number of resources. In the Euler group all users are strongly encouraged to use Python 3. While some modules only exist for the older Python 2 codebase, in the overwhelming majority of cases they have been re-established in the Py3 framework (cf. Python 3 Wall Of Superpowers for current status of module transfer).

For the absolute beginner Codeacademy's free, interactive learning module for Python is a good starting point. Though it recommends approximately 13 hours for the course, those with a background in programming could probably finish it in under a day. For scientific computing it helps to have some familiarity with the Scipy stack, for which there is a nice introduction at scipy-lectures.org, particularly the Getting Started section.

Beyond that, it will be worth taking a look at the Seaborn module for attractive plotting functions. Those interested in Datajoint should also take a look at the Datajoint project page and that of Neo, the latter of which may be used for Python IO. Finally, if you are thinking of using Python for important code which will likely be reused, I would recommend reading the PEP0008 styleguide, to ensure you are writing correctly formatted code.