Readings:
Class Syllabus:
Algorithm Fridays:
Computers:
Requirements
Setting up your work environment
The course uses SciPy, and combination of the Python language with a collection of libraries written for scientific and financial applications. In particular, we will use,
As well, we will be using the Jupyter notebook software, a front end to a compute kernels that combines a python workspace with integrated markdown documentation. You will submit your work in the form of Jupyter notebooks.
Most of the libraries you will install on your work computer using the Anaconda installation software. This program will install the entire stack: python, scipy libraries, and jupyter notebook, in a simple manner.
Windows users are welcome, however the Microsoft platform lacks many of the unix development tools familiar to computer scientists. The Cygwin project brings all of the unix environment to Windows. In particular, a full shell, gnu compiles, Make and (above all) subversion are available after installing Cygwin.
Follow the default install, and once done, return to the Cygwin and this time select specific installs. Under developer, find the line labeled simply "subversion" and click that to change the icon from "keep" to "install". You might also want to install Make at this time, as we might need that as well.
When you open a Cygwin shell, you are in a home directory distinct for your Windows home directory. Your Windows home directory is located in the Cygwin file hierarchy under /cygdrive/c/Users/_username_.
Whether you are on a linux machine, Windows, or OSX, you can now open a terminal and run "jupyter notebook" (except Windows, where the install recommends you start from an icon).
You will need understand and use subversion. Subversion connects a folder on your computer with a remote repository. The repository maintains a history of "commits", where you push your changes to the repository. Subversion and git are both source code control systems, and to an novice they are similar to Dropbox. However, they are much more serious in the handling of versions and in the coordination of updates.
Please get started with subversion by reading my tutorial. You will receive instructions for checking out your view of the repository by email, once you have sent me your C-number and Cane email address.
For all projects: The projects are released as Jupyter Notebooks. Copy the unfinished notebook from the class/projX directory to your [name]/projX directory, using the same name for the file name. Complete by editing the the notebook.
There maybe other materials in the class/projX folder, which you need not copy into your own folder.
There are usually checks in the notebook which should evaluate to True for correct code. Other checks might be distributed into your notebook after submission to check more completely the code.
You are to submit via subversion. I suggest once you have made the copy, you immediately svn add and svn commit the folder and copy. Feel free to svn commit as you make progress. The subversion repository is there to help you develop and safeguard your notebook, as well as to submit the notebook for grading.
Complete documentation on Subversion is available online.
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