Introduction to Python for Data Visualization

Welcome!

Note: This workshop was presented in January 2020 by Pete Lawson, a Tulane PhD in Bioinnovation and now the Librarian for Data and Visualization at Johns Hopkins University. The material presented here is now available for those interested in a self-guided introductory exercise using python for data visualization. 

Thank you for participating in the Introduction to Python for Data Visualization workshop. In preparation for the workshop, we ask that you please follow this guide to install Anaconda Python (a simplified Python distribution) for your particular operating system, as well as download the data that we will be using in advance of the workshop.

Installing Python Using Anaconda

Python is a popular language for scientific computing, and great for
general-purpose programming as well. Installing all of its scientific packages
individually can be a bit difficult, however, so we recommend the all-in-one
installer Anaconda.

Regardless of how you choose to install it, please make sure you install Python
version 3.x (e.g., 3.7 is fine). Also, please set up your Python environment at 
least a day in advance of the workshop.  If you encounter problems with the 
installation procedure, ask your workshop organizers via e-mail for assistance so
you are ready to go as soon as the workshop begins.

Installation Instructions by Operating System

Windows Python Installation Instructions

1. Open anaconda-distribution with your web browser.
2. Scroll down to the Anaconda 2019.10 for Windows Installer section. If it is not already selected, ensure Windows is selected.
3. Download the Python 3 installer for Windows.
4. Double-click the executable .exe file and install Python 3 using the recommended settings. Make sure that Register Anaconda as my default Python 3.x option is checked - it should be in the latest version of Anaconda

Mac OS X Python Installation Instructions

1. Open anaconda-distribution with your web browser.
2. Scroll down to the Anaconda 2019.10 for macOS Installer section. If it is not already selected, ensure macOS is selected.
3. Download the Python 3 installer for macOS.
4. Double-click the executable .pkg file and install Python 3 using the recommended settings. Make sure that Register Anaconda as my default Python 3.x option is checked - it should be in the latest version of Anaconda. Make sure that the install location is set to "Install only for me" so Anaconda will install its files locally, relative to your home directory. Installing the software for all users tends to create problems in the long run and should be avoided.

Linux Python Installation Instructions

Note that the following installation steps require you to work from the shell. If you run into any difficulties, please request help before the workshop begins.

1. Open anaconda-distribution with your web browser.
2. Scroll down to the Anaconda 2019.10 for Linux Installer section. If it is not already selected, ensure Linux is selected.
3. Download the Python 3 installer for Linux.
4. Install Python 3 using all of the defaults for installation.
   1. Open a terminal window.
   2. Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the installer.
   3. Enter Anaconda3- into the terminal window and press tab. The name of the file you just downloaded should appear. 
   4. Press enter to execute the Linux installer.
   5. Follow the text-only prompts.  When the license agreement appears (a colon will be present at the bottom of the screen) press the space bar until you see the bottom of the text. Type yes and press enter to approve the license. Press enter again to approve the default location for the files. Type yes and press enter to prepend Anaconda to your PATH (this makes the Anaconda distribution your user's default Python)

If you do not have a laptop running either Windows, macOS, or Linux please contact plawson@tulane.edu so that he may help you arrange an appropriate computer to help ensure you will be able to participate in the workshop.



The data we will be using is taken from the gapminder dataset. To obtain it, download and unzip the file python-novice-gapminder-data.zip to your desktop. In order to follow the presented material, you will be launching the Jupyter Notebook server in the same directory your data is stored, so be sure to take note of the location you save the gapminder dataset.

During the day of the workshop we will also utilize the link http://bit.ly/2cLzoxH to download a more advanced gapminder dataset directly into our csv reader.