How to use python, PyLab, NumPy etc. For my physical lab class over excel

Question

This semester, I took a course in scientific programming, which I really liked and experimented a lot. We used python and all related modules. I will take a physics lab next semester, and I just wanted to hear from you how python can help me in such a way that I could not or could not be one that excels Excel. I use Mathematica for symbolic materials, so I would use python for data purposes.

Above my head, here is what I can do:

• Everything that you expect in the introductory course (loops, arrays, arrays of cutters, etc.).

• Reading data from a text file.

• Markup markup, rows and columns.

• Learning how to build a linear regression, but not completely figured out.

• I completed 7 issues at Project Euler (don't brag about anything, but it might give you a better idea of ​​where I am in the skills).

Looking forward to hearing from some of you. You do not need to explain how to use what you mentioned, I could find the documentation.

Answer 1

A Python article comes to mind , all the needs of a scientist . I hope you can make the necessary transformations from biology to physics.

Answer 2

Scipy will also be useful for you, as it includes many more advanced analysis tools. For example, Scipy includes linear regression and becomes more interesting from there. Along with the other tools you mentioned, you are likely to find most of your needs.

Other tool selection notes:

• Mathematica is a great tool if you can afford it. I played with other options like Sympy, and unfortunately they don't come close to being as useful as Mathematica.
• I can not imagine using Excel for any serious scientific work. If you plan on continuing with the tools you learn in the class, you can also start with tools that offer you this potential.

Answer 3

Do not reject Excel directly. This is still great for simple data analysis and plotting. Excel also has a significant advantage in that it is installed on most computers by engineers and scientists, which greatly facilitates the exchange of your work with colleagues.

However, I use Python when Excel just doesn't cut it; when I had to:

• color of dots in the scatter chart based on the third column
• build field vectors
• extract multiple values ​​from each of several thousand data files to control the statistical process.
• generate dozens of scatter charts for different sizes of a large dataset to find which variables are important
• solve a nonlinear equation at several intermediate points of calculation, and not just as the final result.
• accept a variable input length from the user to determine the problem

VBA in Excel can do a lot too, but in such a primitive language it becomes very painful. It seems to me that Microsoft will make IronPython a first-class scripting language in the next version of Excel. Until then, you can try Resolver One

Answer 4

I can recall 2 performances by Jan Martinek at EuroScipy 2008, PhD candidate, and presented some fun experiments with physics in the background. The theses are here , and I’m sure that he wouldn’t want to share more if you contact him directly. Also, take a look at another presentation from EuroScipy, there are some more physics related ones.