Introduction 'Getting it to run'

This module introduces the fundamentals of Python programming language.

Learning outcomes

• Learners have read what they will learn
• Learners can find how to download and extract the exercises
• Learners understand how this day is organized

For teachers: Lesson plan

Prior questions:

• What is Pyton?
• What are features of the Python language?
• In the term 'HPC cluster', what does 'cluster' mean?
• In the term 'HPC cluster', what does 'HPC' mean?
• What are features of HPC clusters?

Overview of these sessions as a concept map

flowchart TD
    python[[Python]]

    %% Give a white background to all nodes, instead of a transparent one
    classDef node fill:#fff,color:#000,stroke:#000

    subgraph sub_programming_language[Programming language]
      interpreted_language[Interpreted language]
      programming_language[Programming language]
      scripting_language[Scripting language]
      interpreter[Interpreter]
      scripts[Scripts]
      text_files[Text files]
    end
    style sub_programming_language fill:#ccf,color:#000,stroke:#fcc

    subgraph sub_programming_terms[Programming terms]
      user_input[User input]
      %% file_io[File I/O]
      %% command_line_arguments[Command-line arguments]
      variables[Variables]
      operators[Operators]
      %% functions[Functions]
      python_packages[Python packages]
      %% graphics[Graphics]
    end 
    style sub_programming_terms fill:#cfc,color:#000,stroke:#fcc

    subgraph sub_naiss[NAISS]
      your_hpc_center[Your HPC center]
      modules[software modules]
      your_hpc_cluster[Your HPC cluster]
      text_editors[Text editors]
      %% x_forwarding[X-forwarding]
      %% remote_desktop[Remote desktop]
    end
    style sub_naiss fill:#fcc,color:#000,stroke:#fcc

    python --> |is a| programming_language
    python --> |is a| interpreted_language
    python --> |is a| scripting_language

    programming_language --> |uses| text_files
    interpreted_language --> |has a| interpreter
    scripting_language --> |is|interpreted_language
    scripting_language --> |runs| scripts
    scripts --> |are| text_files
    %% scripts --> |can use| command_line_arguments

    python --> |has| python_packages
    python --> |has| variables
    %%python --> |has| functions
    python --> |has| operators
    %%functions --> |use| variables
    operators --> |work on| variables
    %%python_packages --> |allow| graphics
    python_packages --> |allow to use| user_input
    %% python_packages --> |allow to do| file_io
    %% python_packages --> |allow to use| command_line_arguments

    your_hpc_center --> |has| your_hpc_cluster
    your_hpc_cluster --> |have| modules
    your_hpc_cluster --> |have| text_editors
    %% your_hpc_cluster --> |allow| x_forwarding
    %% your_hpc_cluster --> |has| remote_desktop
    modules --> |allow the use of| python_packages
    modules --> |allow the use of| interpreter

    text_editors --> |work on|text_files
    %%x_forwarding --> |allows|graphics
    %%remote_desktop --> |allows|graphics


    variables ~~~ your_hpc_center

Why is this course important?

Python, according to the TIOBE index is one of the most used programming languages at this day.

Running Python on an HPC cluster allows scientists to run their code that needs either (1) massive computation, (2) massive storage space, and/or (3) storage of sensitive data.

This course allows you to do your analysis, in one of the most used programming languages at this day, using some of the most advanced hardware we have at this day.

Sessions

• Using the Python interpreter
• The way of the program
• Working with Python scripts

Exercises

Exercise 1: the learning outcomes of today

The goal of this exercise is to find out what you will learn today.

• Go to this form and fill it in

For teachers: what is in that form?

With this exercise, we'll discover what we'll learn today.

Give you confidence levels of the following statements, using this scale:

• 0: I don't know even what this is about ...?
• 1: I have no confidence I can do this
• 2: I have low confidence I can do this
• 3: I have some confidence I can do this
• 4: I have good confidence I can do this
• 5: I absolutely can do this!

Give you confidence levels of the following statements below:

• I am comfortable using the documentation of my HPC center
• I am comfortable using a Python book
• I am comfortable learning Python
• I can login to my HPC cluster
• I can load a Python version on my HPC cluster
• I can describe what the Python programming language is
• I can describe what the Python interpreter is
• I can use a text editor on my HPC cluster
• I can create a Python script
• I can run a Python script
• In Python, I can create a variable
• In Python, I can use a variable
• I can convert a simple equation to Python code
• In Python, I can find and use the operator for exponentiation
• In Python, I know what the modulo operator is and when to use it
• I can convert a simple text question to Python code

When done: explore the website of the course. Where you can you find the things below?

• The schedule
• Further learning
• The frequently asked questions
• Earlier evaluation results