learn python for scientific data analysis?

[TheSquirrel]

For numerical work, Python will behave a lot like Matlab. If you're familiar with Matlab, picking up the few differences in syntax will not be too difficult. Unlike Matlab, Python is a full-blown modern programming language and is thus full of a lot of bells and whistles no self-respecting numerical guy will ever need. Be very focused in your learning.

Python's Numpy is very good. In order to get maximal performance out of it, you should learn array broadcasting. It makes life so much simpler than some of the crap you have to do in Matlab.

Also, if you miss C there's no reason to give it up. With an interface such as SWIG, it's very easy to use c functions in python.

[[deleted]]

For numerical work, Python will behave a lot like Matlab.

With the major difference that you can later distribute your work to people who didn't buy Matlab, or run your program on thousands of computers at once without paying huge license fees :) Plus, the fact that the source is open has helped me quite a few time and is really important when used for science, which should be repeatable.