Python modules

There a several modules which are already included in the standard Python distribution:

• http://docs.python.org/modindex.html

Other modules have to be installed seperately, e.g. Numpy, Scipy, Pylab, etc.

• http://www.scipy.org/

• http://www.pythonxy.com/ Python(x,y) is a scientific python distribution with many modules included

Over 8000 special purpose modules and scripts can be found in the Python Package Index:

• http://pypi.python.org/pypi

It is important to know where to find the functions that you need. We will go through some useful examples.

Numpy, Scipy and Pylab

Recommended book

• http://www.springer.com/math/cse/book/978-3-540-73915-9 Python Scripting for Computational Science

Importing Scipy

Numpy is the core library for multidimensional array objects and linear algebra. The scipy module uses the numpy array functions. Pylab (aka Matplotlib) uses scipy and numpy and offers high-level functions that are similar in the name and syntax to those offered by Matlab.

The statement

from pylab import *

imports the most important functions/objects for numerical computation and plotting.

Slides for teaching

• http://heim.ifi.uio.no/~hpl/scripting/all-nosplit/index.html (some are outdated)