A Primer on Scientific Programming with Python

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxvii

   PDF

2. Computing with Formulas

   Pages 1-49

3. Basic Constructions

   Pages 51-118

4. Input Data and Error Handling

   Pages 119-167

5. Array Computing and Curve Plotting

   Pages 169-233

6. Sequences and Difference Equations

   Pages 235-268

7. Files, Strings, and Dictionaries

   Pages 269-335

8. Introduction to Classes

   Pages 337-415

9. Random Numbers and Simple Games

   Pages 417-478

10. Object-Oriented Programming

    Pages 479-571

11. Back Matter

    Pages 573-700

    PDF

Theaimofthisbookistoteachcomputerprogrammingusingexamples from mathematics and the natural sciences. We have chosen to use the Python programming language because it combines remarkable power with very clean, simple, and compact syntax. Python is easy to learn and very well suited for an introduction to computer programming. Python is also quite similar to Matlab and a good language for doing mathematical computing. It is easy to combine Python with compiled languages, like Fortran, C, and C++, which are widely used languages forscienti?ccomputations.AseamlessintegrationofPythonwithJava is o?ered by a special version of Python called Jython. The examples in this book integrate programming with appli- tions to mathematics, physics, biology, and ?nance. The reader is - pected to have knowledge of basic one-variable calculus as taught in mathematics-intensive programs in high schools. It is certainly an - vantage to take a university calculus course in parallel, preferably c- taining both classical and numerical aspects of calculus. Although not strictly required, a background in high school physics makes many of the examples more meaningful.

• Monte Carlo simulation
• Python
• Python programming
• calculus
• numerical calculus
• numerical methods
• object-oriented programming
• object-oriented programming (OOP)
• ordinary differential equations
• procedural programming
• programming
• statistics
• vectorization

From the reviews:

“This book is an introduction to computer programming using the Python programming language. It focuses on numerical methods as the context for examples, exercises, and assignments. … Langtangen … does an excellent job of introducing programming as a set of skills in problem solving. He guides the reader into thinking properly about producing program logic and data structures for modeling real-world problems using objects and functions and embracing the object-oriented paradigm. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals; general readers.” (F. H. Wild III, Choice, Vol. 47 (8), April, 2010)

“It is an authoritative and almost monumental work that covers most aspects of the Python language and its numerical modules. It definitely has a prominent place on my bookshelf. … The text is well written … . In summary, this is the book (the only book) to have if you are an aspiring Python programmer of scientific applications.” (Jaan Kiusalaas, SIAM Review, Vol. 52 (3), September, 2010)

“The book’s title reflects its content accurately, the content is substantively scientific and the book is a very good programming book. … This excellent book is quite rich mathematically, numerical methods, differential equations, treatments of shape, and a variety of exercises and projects are included. It will also impart a deep knowledge of python, one of today’s most useful languages. I have learned a great deal from this book and recommend it highly.” (George Hacken, ACM Computing Reviews, September, 2010)

• Simula Research Laboratory, Lysaker, Fornebu, Norway

  Hans Petter Langtangen

• Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

  Hans Petter Langtangen

Hans Petter Langtangen is a professor of computer science at the University of Oslo. He has formely been a professor of mechanics and is now the director of a Norwegian Center of Excellence: "Center for Biomedical Computing", at Simula Research Laboratory. Langtangen has published over 100 scientific publications and written several books, including papers and a book on Python's potential for scientific computing. He has also developed open source and commercial software systems for computational sciences.

Policies and ethics