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Working with Python scripts

Learning outcomes

  • Practice using the documentation of your HPC cluster
  • To be able to create a Python script
  • To be able to run a Python script
For teachers

Teaching goals are:

  • Learners have practiced using the documentation of their HPC cluster
  • Learners have created a Python script
  • Learners have run a Python script

Other goals are:

  • Verify that learners indeed have learned how to create a file
  • Verify that learners indeed have learned how to use a text editor

Lesson plan:

  • 5 mins: prior knowledge
  • 5 mins: presentation
  • 15 mins: challenge
  • 5 mins: feedback

Prior questions:

  • Why would you want to use a script?
  • In which languages can one write a script?
  • How does one run a script?

Why?

You have multiple lines of code you want a computer to run. Instead of copy-pasting these lines individually to the interpreter, one can use a script.

To run code, we use text files that are run as if each line was typed in into the Python interpreter. Such text files that run (interpreted) code are called 'scripts'.

In this session, we practice to create and run some simple Python scripts, without new theory.

Exercises

This is a partial repeat of the previous session, but with a different focus.

The goal is to practice the fundamental skills of creating and running a script.

Exercise 1: create a Python script

Go to the documentation of your HPC cluster, then answer the questions below. If you cannot find any helpful information, use the UPPMAX documentation about nano

  • On your HPC cluster, create a file called hello_world.py, using a text editor or Linux commands
Answer

Creating a Python script hello_world.py using nano:

nano hello_world.py
  • Copy-paste the following content into the script:
print('Hello, world!')
Answer

To paste into a terminal, use CTRL + SHIFT + V (i.e. add SHIFT).

  • Save the script
Answer

In nano, you can do so with CTRL + O

  • Close the text editor
Answer

In nano, you can do so with CTRL + X

  • Verify that the script has its contents saved
Answer

One way to do so, is to use nano to open the file again:

nano hello_world.py

Exercise 2: run a Python script

Go to the documentation of your HPC cluster, then answer the questions below. If you cannot find any helpful information, use the UPPMAX documentation about how to run a Python script.

  • Run the Python script you just created
Answer

You can run this Python script in the shell by:

python hello_world.py