Dear Colleagues, The summer is (almost) over, and the VBCF computational courses are back! Let's start with the "Python programming" course (see https://training.vbcf.ac.at/training/pylang.php ) Please read the following information CAREFULLY TO THE END TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT. COURSE DIFFICULTY: This is an "entry-level" course that starts from the very basics of Python programming. However, towards the end we will move to more complex concepts. Please DO READ the "TOPICS" section below carefully! DATES/TIMES: The course consists of two parts, and both parts involve two four-hour sessions (16 hours in total). You must take both Part I and Part II because they build on each other. PART I: 24th and 25th August (Monday-Tuesday), 09:00 - 13:00 PART II: 26th and 27th August (Wednesday-Thursday), 09:00 - 13:00 PLEASE DO CHECK YOUR CALENDAR BEFORE SIGNING UP! Make sure you can attend ALL sessions. Do not take away slots from others by signing up and then not joining. ATTENDANCE: In person only. Remote attendance is not offered because it would be very difficult for me to help correcting typos etc. EXERCISES: There will be "homework" assignments after Days 1,2,3 so plan about 1-2 hours for them in the afternoons/evenings to work on them at your own pace. TOPICS: Day 1: - Introduction to Python: basic principles. - Python data structures: strings, tuples, lists, dictionaries, sets. Day 2: - Object-oriented programming in Python. Encapsulation, inheritance (base and derived classes), polymorphism. Day 3: - Writing a Python class and a small package using test-driven development techniques. Day 4: - Writing Python scripts. Command-line option processing, file I/O, error handling. OUT OF SCOPE: - No data analysis! This course is only about the Python language itself. - No personal projects! You all will work on the same task (genomic region representation). I don't have the resources to supervise individual projects. PREREQUISITES: - You must have good typing skills, otherwise you'll hold up everybody else. - Previous experience with another programming language is highly desirable (but not mandatory). COST: Free of charge. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Strictly limited to 16. First come, first served. Please sign up only if you can attend all four sessions! HOW TO REGISTER: Ask your supervisor for permission to attend, then open this URL: https://training.vbcf.ac.at/training/schedule.php . Click on the [REGISTER] button of Part I of the course, this will register you to Part II as well. (It is not possible to register for only one part.) Then fill out the registration form. Please specify your job type correctly. Use an Austrian academic email address. See https://training.vbcf.ac.at/training/practical_information.php for details. Thank you, András