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Python

Find resources relating to the popular open-source programming language Python.

Accessing Python

Programming languages work by telling your computer to perform specific tasks. Python is a highly human-readable programming language and it requires software to “translate” commands so that they can be understood and carried out by a computer (making them machine-readable, or machine code). For Python, this “translation” software is called an interpreter.

Interpreters and Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Software:

Web-Based Python Interpreters:

If you are unable to install or access Python on your computer’s operating system, use web-based Python interpreters for many basic operations instead.

Code Editors:

Python Packages

Python's capabilities are extended to meet the needs of myriad users with third-party supplemental modules, libraries, packages, and frameworks. Some examples:

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Getting Started with Python

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What is Python?

Python is a popular general-purpose, object-oriented, open-source programming language. It has numerous applications across a number of fields, and is commonly used for web development, scientific computing, statistics and data science, software development, education, and business. It can also be a powerful tool to facilitate scholarship in the humanities and social sciences.

Python is often described as relatively easy to learn, particularly for people who do not have any prior experience with programming languages. Many resources are available to help you get started, practice your skills, figure out solutions to any problems you encounter, and find help and guidance when you need it.

First Steps for Absolute Beginners

Penn Libraries x Dataquest

Penn Libraries has negotiated a campus-wide premium license for Dataquest, the scaffolded online learning platform with a full catalog of interactive coursesskill paths such as data visualization, machine learning, and data scraping and career paths using Python, R, PowerBI, and Tableau. You learn by doing, completing exercises and getting immediate feedback directly in the browser.

To activate your premium account, please complete the form below. Alternatively, you can complete the form using this link.

 

Resources for Learning Python

Videos

Interactive Courses

E-Books


Python News

Statistical Software Assistance at the Library

Appointments are available with our statistics software consultant for R, Stata, SPSS, and Python.  Make an appointment via the Penn Libraries Technology Consultation Appointment page : select "Stata, R and Other Statistical Software" for available appointments.

Python Workshops and Events

Interested in learning more about Python? Check out upcoming workshops and events!

Other Local Events

Workshop Recordings

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