1 =====================

     2 Basic Python Workshop

     3 =====================

     4 

     5 This document is intended to be handed out at the end of the workshop. It has

     6 been designed for Engineering students who are Python beginners and have basic

     7 programming skills. The focus is on basic numerics and plotting using Python.

     8 

     9 The system requirements:

    10   * Python - version 2.5.x or newer.

    11   * IPython 

    12   * Text editor - scite, vim, emacs or whatever you are comfortable with.

    13 

    14 

    15 

    16 

    17 Introduction

    18 ============

    19 

    20   The Python programming language was created by a dutch named Guido van Rossum.

    21   The idea of Python was conceived in December 1989. The name Python has nothing

    22   to do with the reptilian, but its been named after the 70s comedy series 

    23   "Monty Python's Flying Circus", since it happens to be Guido's favourite 

    24   TV series. 

    25   

    26   Current stable version of Python is 2.6.x, although Python 3.0 is also the stable

    27   version, it is not backwards compatible with the previous versions and is hence

    28   not entirely popular at the moment. This material contains material pertaining 

    29   to the 2.6.x series.

    30   

    31 The Python Interpreter

    32 ======================

    33   

    34