Python

What is Python?

Python is a versatile, high-level programming language known for its simplicity, readability, and ease of use. It supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented, procedural, and functional programming. Python’s rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks makes it ideal for tasks ranging from web development and data analysis to artificial intelligence and automation. Its robust community support and extensive documentation allow developers to quickly learn and implement solutions. Python’s clear syntax encourages code readability, making it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced developers.

In the lab, we recommend to use python 3.10.

Note

If python 3.10 is not available, you can install it using the following command: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install python3.10

Ressources:

  • Step-by-Step Python tutorial [link]

  • Introduction to Python [link]

  • Mix of basic and advanced tutorials [link]

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

We recommend using Visual Studio Code (VSCode) as your primary code editor for Python development. VSCode is a lightweight, open-source editor that offers powerful features like IntelliSense, integrated debugging, Git support, and an extensive marketplace for extensions. Its Python extension enhances the development experience with features such as code linting, auto-completion, and seamless integration with virtual environments. VSCode’s intuitive interface and rich set of tools make it a great choice for developers of all skill levels, ensuring a smooth and productive Python development workflow.

To install Visual Studio Code, download the .deb file from the official website and run the following command: sudo dpkg -i code_*.deb

In VSCode, you can install the Python extensions by clicking on the Extensions icon in the sidebar, searching for:

  • autoDocstring

  • Black Formatter

  • Pylance

  • Python

  • Python Debugger

Optionnaly, you can install the following extensions:

  • reStructuredText

  • Github Actions

In the lab, we recommend to use the following settings in VSCode:

  • In File > Preferences > Settings:

    • Click on the “Open settings (JSON)” button (top right button with an arrow on a blank page) to open the settings.json file.

    • Add the following lines to the end of the file:

    settings.json
    ...
"[python]": {
        "editor.rulers": [
            100
        ],
        "editor.defaultFormatter": "ms-python.black-formatter",
        "editor.formatOnSave": true
        "formatting.blackArgs": [
            "--line-length",
            "100"
        ]
    },

Virtual Environment

Virtualenv is a tool that helps to create isolated Python environments, allowing you to manage dependencies for different projects without conflict.

  1. To install virtualenv, run the following command: pip install virtualenvwrapper

  2. Create a directory for all your virtual environments: mkdir ~/my_envs

  3. In your ~/.bashrc file, add the following lines:

export WORKON_HOME=$HOME/my_envs
export VIRTUALENVWRAPPER_PYTHON=/usr/bin/python3.10
source /usr/local/bin/virtualenvwrapper.sh

  1. To create a virtual environment, run the following command: mkvirtualenv venv or mkvirtualenv -p python3.10 venv or mkvirtualenv -p YOUR_PYTHON_VERSION venv.

  2. To activate the virtual environment, run the following command: workon venv

  3. To deactivate the virtual environment, run the following command: deactivate

For example, to create a virtual environment named avnirpy, run the following commands:

Create a virtual environment for avnirpy
#1. Create a virtual environment
mkvirtualenv avnirpy

#2. Activate the virtual environment
workon avnirpy

# 4. Install avnirpy
git clone git@github.com:llgneuroresearch/avnirpy.git
cd avnirpy
pip install -e .

# 5. Run a script
python avnir_print_header.py -h

# 6. Deactivate the virtual environment
deactivate