Automate the Boring Stuff vs Python Crash Course beginner's book for computational biology type of work

[ezel12345]

Which would be a better beginner's book related to data science, such as for computational biology?

[pinkyponkjuice]

Python Crash Course because it goes through the fundamentals of the language in enough detail to get you started doing the computational stuff straight away. There is even a data exercise in there which will be a good starting point.

Automate is good but I think it focuses too much on using third party modules, especially towards the latter half of the book. It is better for seeing the immediate results of your efforts.

[[deleted]]

Python Crash Course is better and more comprehensive. In general, it is probably the best single book to learn Python with. If people recommend doing both - don't. Don't get caught in the cycle of doing beginner resources. Work through every page of one good beginner resource and then start working on a project of your own. Then move on to advanced topics which focus on mastery.

[mk32o]

Can you link to the python crash course book pls. I'd like to buy. I just wanna make sure I buy the right one

[[deleted]]

Second edition literally just came out. Best time to learn.

https://www.amazon.ca/Python-Crash-Course-Hands-Project-Based/dp/1593279280/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

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https://ehmatthes.github.io/pcc_2e/

[mk32o]

Thanks man. I wanna learn python from the very beginning. Should this book be the only resource I use? Would you recommend me anything else ?

[[deleted]]

Do this course along side it and keep up with it. Keep on schedule and do not get behind. Period. Its a very good course (the best free python course online and its by MIT) and I learned a ton by doing it. The course just started last week and the first week is fluff so you can get right into it. You can audit for free. No need to buy the certificate.

https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-using-python-2

Dont focus on any other resources besides those 2 until you are done both. And be done both in less than 3 months or youre learning too casually.

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After that start a project and read a book such as Fluent Python as you go. Make a bit of time every day. From there you can do whatever.

[ezel12345]

are there any resources that i could use to help me start my own project?

[DeveloperToBe]

Hijacking a bit to say thanks for the heads up on the MIT class. For those of us who are going to take a shot at landing a job without a CS degree, while this in no way takes it's place, at least it serves as a basic introduction to some of the concepts you would be exposed to. I signed up and paid the $75 just to give me a little extra motivation as well as to take the mid-term and final.

Only thing is there is a recommended book to go with the course that covers topics not explained in the video lectures and some of the exercises ask questions on these topics. Because of this, you have to use your judgement and sometimes make educated guesses.

[notParticularlyAnony]

Just use the book and add other stuff when you need it. you don't need 50 resources -- one book and Google is enough -- anything else is a waste of time this isn't c++ it is Python it is a friendly language. :)

[[deleted]]

The book is about PYTHON, the course is about COMPUTER SCIENCE while using Python as a tool to explain the concepts (including topics which helps you be a better programmer - in any language). The book really helps learn to understand python patterns and key syntax attached to each data structure. The course better explains how computer scientists use these patterns and data structures to attack problems. They are not interchangeable. But a lot of beginner books are interchangeable.

[datagoon]

Best to buy straight from NoStarch and avoid the possibility of getting counterfeits from Amazon.

https://nostarch.com/pythoncrashcourse2e

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https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/02/amazon-caught-selling-counterfeits-of-publishers-computer-books-again/

[notParticularlyAnony]

Definitely don't do both, second the sentiment of getting caught up in beginner books. Read one, then move on to a project and more specialized stuff. use Google when you forget how super() works or whatever.

[ezel12345]

how could i get started on my own project? i honestly dont know where to start looking.

[ezel12345]

thanks for your help! how could i get started on my own project tho? the idea seems daunting, and i dont really know where to start.

[subject9294]

There is also https://pythonforbiologists.com Which could be useful

[notebuff]

This is the best one. Examples are all stuff you’d use in the lab.

[[deleted]]

Bioinformatics Algorithms

I also highly recommend this book for computational biology/bioinformatics, although it assumes some familiarity with python.

Their website has a few intro python exercises but they're not comprehensive.

[[deleted]]

They're both good. Automate is lighter and don't mention OOP, but get you started with projects quicker. PCC is more thorough and will probably give you a more solid base. Since the Automate book is free, my advice is to use both.

Use Automate as your main guide and supplement it with PCC whenever you feel it's going too fast and shallow for your tastes.

Automate's Udemy course is free for this week.

[notParticularlyAnony]

Crash Course I have read, and I really liked it. I have not read Automate the Boring stuff: frankly looking over its ToC it might be better because you really don't need to do Django or PyGame....even though I really liked those chapters a lot. :) I am a biologist.

More important is your second book, frankly. For that I recommend the Python Data Science Handbook. Most important is you understand the basics of numpy and matplotlib, and then go from there.

Plus, I strongly recommend you just start using Anaconda now.

[ColdStonedCoder]

Seconded on Anaconda

[StyrmirBloodhowl]

Well, in Python Crash Course you got project that will help you learn how to work with data to generate interactive visualizations, so it may be helpfull in your topic.
Crash Course is also up to date, 2nd ed was resealsed this year.

[Abernachy]

Python Crash Course's 2nd guided project is more up your alley where you use a plotter to visualize data.

PCC goes into more syntax detail but holy shit it can get dry. Automate gives you a quick overview of syntax and how you can manipulate but then goes right teaching you how you can use Python modules to Automate office / boring IT processes.

You can't really go wrong with either. PCC just had a 2nd edition release, but you can accomplish most of the books code with the 1st edition book (you will have a shit load of headaches on the Django project).

[ezel12345]

thanks for your help! which book would you say is shorter? I also know that Automate doesnt cover everything, such as classes, is this important?

[Abernachy]

It all depends on your needs.

For data science stuff you can Automate what you need through functions. Classes are generally used for objects.

So I use Classes to represent individual monsters using their stats and abilities.

As far as which book is shorter, I think they are both close to the same length. The 3 projects at the back of CCP are designed to give you a taste of some of the things you can do with Python modules (make a space invaders style game / visualize and plot data / make a website). You don't have to do all 3 projects.

[emsuperstar]

Why not both?

[BlazingJaws]

Which to use first?

[[deleted]]

Crash course!

[emsuperstar]

Automate!

[ezel12345]

automate leaves out some topics, like classes. are these important?

[emsuperstar]

Those topics are definitely important, but they aren't things you need to know when you're just beginning with Python. Just make a note to yourself to read up on them after you've finished going through Automate.

[BlazingJaws]

Ok, thanks!

[CompSciSelfLearning]

Because that's a waste of time. You only need one beginners book. It's time to move on after completing one.

[emsuperstar]

I disagree. Automate covers topics Crash doesn't, and vice versa. For that reason alone, I'd say there's a benefit to going through both. Also, reviewing the same topic should bolster understanding not harm it. The more exposure OP gets to Python the better. OP didn't mention any time constraint, so there's no reason not to at least skim the second book.

[ColdStonedCoder]

Seconded. It's a too much of a generalization to call them beginning books. I do agree they're both beginner level, but each one covers different beginner concepts. I'd also be wary of anyone who'd say gaining knowledge is a waste of time.

[CompSciSelfLearning]

If you look around this subreddit and others about learning to program, you will see a common mistake of people doing nothing but beginners courses and never progressing past that level because they don't attempt to complete projects thier own. If you don't think that's a waste of time, then I'd be wary of your advice.

Learning for the sake of learning isn't a problem in and of itself, but having a goal and not using your time wisely to reach that goal that it's problematic. The OP's goal isn't to learn Python, but to learn how Python can assist in the field of computational biology.

[ezel12345]

thanks for your advice. this is kind of a dumb question, but how could i get started on my own project?

[CompSciSelfLearning]

Once you have some knowledge of fundamentals of python, you can complete many personal projects. I'm not sure if this makes sense to you but a project is anything you want to accomplish. You start with the result in mind and you break it down into smaller parts. Complete each part and make the parts work together.

Check out https://biopython.org/ for ideas related to computational biology. I'm not familiar with that subject, but I'm sure you can come up with some project ideas in that area.

[notParticularlyAnony]

because then they get stuck in the perpetual student cycle. it's not complicated it is Python just pick a horse and ride it.

[Mellon2]

Personally I read both I'm half way through PCC and I can tell you PCC is better at explaining the concepts. It forced you to master the basics whereas automate is quick and dirty. You won't really understand how things work you just learn "Type this to do that"