AppliedAlgebraCourse
Getting started with Python/Numpy/SciPy
Follow the instructions here: https://github.com/UW-Madison-ACI/boot-camps/blob/2015-01-13/setup/README.md.
For now you can disregard the sections on Shell and Git, just focusing on Python and an Editor
A short summary of these instructions:
1. You'll need to install Python on your machine. We recommend the Anaconda python distribution:
https://store.continuum.io/cshop/anaconda/
During installation, make Anaconda your default Python installation (unless you have some reason not to do this).
2. You'll need a text editor to write Python in. Any text editor will work, but an editor that highlights Python keywords is handy, such as Text Wrangler or Sublime Text.
First steps
Once Python is installed, you're ready to get started! Open up a command line prompt (e.g. Command Prompt on Windows, Terminal on OS X) and type
ipython
to start an interactive Python shell. You can begin entering Python commands and manipulating variables immediately.
If you have no prior programming experience, I recommend you work through the Beginner Python tutorials below using ipython: as you read, run the commands and get a feel for what's happening.
Beginner Guide
http://hetland.org/writing/instant-hacking.html
http://www.ucs.cam.ac.uk/docs/course-notes/unix-courses/PythonAB
Intermediate Guide
http://software-carpentry.org/v5/novice/python/index.html
Additional Resources
https://github.com/UW-Madison-ACI/boot-camps
Homework #1
Download square.mat