Topics

The course consists of two parts that are taught on different dates.

Part I

In the first part we learn the basics of Python programming.

• Introduction to Python: basic principles.
• Python data structures: strings, tuples, lists, dictionaries, sets.
• Object-oriented programming: how to model coffee machines in Python. Inheritance (base and derived classes), polymorphism.

Part II

The second part teaches you how to design, develop and test object-oriented code in Python.

• Write a Python class using test-driven development techniques.
• Write a script to convert BED files to GFF. Command-line option processing, file input-output, error handling.

Exercises

Online exercises are available when this course is running. Please select the option "Python language" from the dropdown in the "Request an exercise notebook" form.

Out of scope

Data analysis of any kind. Also note that this course is about Python3, the "old" Python2 is not covered.

Prerequisites

Some basic programming knowledge (e.g. having attended the UNIX scripting and/or the R language courses) is advantageous, but not strictly necessary. Everything will be explained!

Good typing skills are essential because the course involves writing quite a lot of code.

Practical information

Number of participants: minimum 5, maximum 10.

Length: Both Part I and Part II take two half-days (4 hours) each, i.e. four half-days (16 hours) in total.