Python

Python

Python is a popular scripting language. It is on the top 10 of the TIOBE index, and is often used in scientific programming outside of the major commercial platforms like Matlab or Mathematica.

• Check out the Python website for more information

Installation

• Windows: Python(x,y) supplies a full scientific programming environment.
• Linux: Install python along with Matplotlib and Numpy/Scipy
• Mac: Use the Enthought Python Distribution

Scientific computing

Numeric calculations are done using the NumPy or SciPy modules. Here is a handy starting point for someone used to Matlab/Octave to get into NumpPy/Scipy.

Plotting is done using the matplotlib library. The website contains documentation as well as a large gallery of examples.

The SciPy website also has a lot of examples in their Cookbook. Topical ones include

• Solving nonlinear equations
• Optimisation
• Fitting data
• Numerical integration of ODEs