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@@ -34,52 +34,58 @@ into R." -- Chris Wiggins
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This lecture series will teach you to use Python for scientific computing, with
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a focus on economics and finance.
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The series is aimed at Python novices, although experienced users will also find useful content in later lectures.
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The series is aimed at Python novices, although experienced users will also find
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useful content in later lectures.
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In this lecture we will
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* introduce Python,
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* showcase some of its abilities,
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* discuss the connection between Python and AI,
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* explain why Python is our favorite language for scientific computing, and
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* point you to the next steps.
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You do **not** need to understand everything you see in this lecture -- we will work through the details slowly later in the lecture series.
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### Can't I Just Use ChatGPT?
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### Can't I Just Use LLMs?
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No!
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It's tempting to think that in the age of AI we don't need to learn how to code.
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Of course it's tempting to think that in the age of AI we don't need to learn how to code.
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And it's true that AIs like [ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/) and other LLMs are wonderful productivity tools for coders.
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And yes, we like to be lazy too sometimes.
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In fact an AI can be a great companion for these lectures -- try copy-pasting some code from this series and ask the AI to explain it to you.
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In addition, we agree that AIs are outstanding productivity tools for coders.
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AIs will certainly help you write pieces of code that you can combine.
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But AIs cannot reliably solve new problems that they haven't seen before.
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But AIs cannot completely and reliably solve a new problem that they haven't seen before!
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You will need to be the architect and the supervisor -- and for these tasks you need to
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be able to read, write, and understand computer code.
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You will need to be the supervisor -- and for that you need to be able to read, write, and understand computer code.
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Having said that, a good LLM is a useful companion for these lectures -- try copy-pasting some
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code from this series and asking for an explanation.
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### Isn't MATLAB Better?
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No, no, and one hundred times no.
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For almost all modern problems, Python's scientific libraries are now far in advance of MATLAB's capabilities.
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Nirvana was great (and Soundgarden [was better](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mbBbFH9fAg&list=RD3mbBbFH9fAg)) but
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it's time to move on from the '90s.
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We will explain the benefits of Python's libraries throughout this lecture
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series, as well as in our later series on [JAX](https://jax.quantecon.org/intro.html).
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For most modern problems, Python's scientific libraries are now far in advance of MATLAB's capabilities.
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This is particularly the case in fast-growing fields such as deep learning and reinforcement learning.
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We will also explain how Python's elegant design helps you write clean, efficient code.
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Moreover, all major LLMs are more proficient at writing Python code than MATLAB
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code.
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On top of these features, Python is more widely used, with a huge and helpful community, and free!
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We will discuss relative merits of Python's libraries throughout this lecture
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series, as well as in our later series on [JAX](https://jax.quantecon.org/intro.html).
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## What's Python?
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## Introducing Python
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[Python](https://www.python.org) is a general-purpose programming language conceived in 1989 by [Guido van Rossum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guido_van_Rossum).
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* encourages reproducibility and [open science](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_science).
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### Common Uses
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{index}`Python <single: Python; common uses>` is a general-purpose language used in almost all application domains, including
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{index}`Python <single: Python; common uses>` is a general-purpose language used
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in almost all application domains, including
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* AI
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* scientific computing
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* AI and computer science
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*other scientific computing
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* communication
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* web development
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* CGI and graphical user interfaces
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* multimedia
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* etc.
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It is used and supported extensively by tech firms including
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It is used and supported extensively by large tech firms including
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*[Google](https://www.google.com/)
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*[OpenAI](https://openai.com/)
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*[Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/)
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*[Meta](https://opensource.fb.com/)
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*[Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/)
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*[Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/)
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*[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/)
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* etc.
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### Relative Popularity
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Python is, without doubt, one of the [most popular programming languages](https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/).
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Python isone of the most -- if not the most -- [popular programming languages](https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/).
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Python libraries like [pandas](https://pandas.pydata.org/) and [Polars](https://pola.rs/) are replacing familiar tools like Excel and VBA as an essential skill in the fields of finance and banking.
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Moreover, Python is extremely popular within the scientific community -- especially AI
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The following chart, produced using Stack Overflow Trends, provides some evidence.
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Moreover, Python is extremely popular within the scientific community -- especially those connected to AI
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It shows the popularity of a Python AI library called [PyTorch](https://pytorch.org/) relative to MATLAB.
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For example, the following chart from Stack Overflow Trends shows how the
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popularity of a single Python deep learning library
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([PyTorch](https://pytorch.org/)) has grown over the last few years.
Pytorch is just one of several Python libraries for deep learning and AI.
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The chart shows that MATLAB's popularity has faded, while PyTorch is growing rapidly.
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Moreover, PyTorch is just one of the thousands of Python libraries available for scientic computing.
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### Features
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Python is a [high-level language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-level_programming_language), which means it is relatively easy to read, write and debug.
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Python is a [high-level
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language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-level_programming_language), which
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means it is relatively easy to read, write and debug.
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It has a relatively small core language that is easy to learn.
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This core is supported by many libraries, which you can learn to use as required.
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Python is very beginner-friendly
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* suitable for students learning programming
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* used in many undergraduate and graduate programs
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Other features of Python:
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* multiple programming styles are supported (procedural, object-oriented, functional, etc.)
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*[interpreted](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpreter_(computing)) rather than [compiled](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiler) ahead of time.
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This core is supported by many libraries, which can be studied as required.
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Python is flexible and pragmatic, supporting multiple programming styles (procedural, object-oriented, functional, etc.).
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### Syntax and Design
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```{index} single: Python; syntax and design
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```
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One reason for Python's popularity is its simple and elegant design --- we'll see many examples later on.
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One reason for Python's popularity is its simple and elegant design.
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To get a feeling for this, let's look at an example.
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@@ -231,12 +225,9 @@ public class CSVReader {
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This Java code opens an imaginary file called `data.csv` and computes the mean
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of the values in the second column.
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Even without knowing Java, you can see that the program is long and complex.
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Here's Python code that does the same thing.
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Even if you don't yet know Python, you can see that the code is simpler and
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easier to read.
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Even if you don't yet know Python, you can see that the code is far simpler and easier to read.
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