[Python-Dev] ?s re documentation of Python features (original) (raw)

Ryan Gonzalez rymg19 at gmail.com
Wed Feb 25 02:43:52 CET 2015

Ask on python-list <https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list>. Also check out the FAQ <https://docs.python.org/3/faq/index.html> and the Help page <https://www.python.org/about/help/>. Not sure what your problem is; Python is EXTREMELY well documented.

On Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 7:15 PM, GARRY M CRANE <gandkcrane at msn.com> wrote:

I am trying to learn Python for use in computational biology. I am using the interesting book: "*Computing for Biologists; Python Programming and Principles*" (by Ran Libeskind-Hadas and Eliot Bush). It has an interesting and useful set of programming exercises at www.cs.hmc.edu/CFB. I am actually enjoying solving (doing) the example problems. However, I find some of the instructions non-functional for me. For example the *import *function does not work, nor f=open("filename.txt"). I have saved files per instructions in the programming exercise inside the Python34 folder (I am using Python 3.4 in Windows 7). But use of the f=open() command produces an error message that the requested file does not exist. I assume I have chosen a wrong location for the saved file within that Python34 folder, but trial and error has not led to a successful use of these functions. import simply leaves a blank line .. no suggestion about the problem.

Asking questions in Google and Ask about where to save Python-related files that can be used subsequently have not led to answers - just details about structuring or formatting things to be written/saved/use of the \n at end of each line, etc. Important details, but of no help. I am finding Python to be very handy at many biologic things such as working with DNA strings, etc. but I find the documentation and indexing for finding how to use many Python features exasperating. I am writing to you based on a READ ME file in my Python folder - generated when I installed Python. FYI, I asked a few questions of one of the authors of the interesting book - who politely replied he was too busy to answer right now - the book and problems were meant for a class ... though neither the book nor problems say so. The professor hopes to get around to issues of use by non-students sometime - but not now. Another feature I have come across so far that does not work is importation of matplotlib. I copy computed results (that otherwise would go to your plotting routine) then go to Excel and with manipulation produce a usable chart there - but at a cost of time and energy. Your Python tool has many intriguing features - but some of the most basic functions do not work for me (even though many features do, e.g., import random does work). The failure of these features - so far as I can tell - is because of lack of description (for the general non-expert public) about where/how to install various features. Perhaps I need to reinstall from the ground up??? If so, just what should I do? If there is a less drastic solution, can you tell me about it? Thank you for any help ... and if you could provide me a lead regarding WHERE to ask subsequent questions I would be most grateful. Sometimes, Google or Ask or a U Tube tutorial does a good job - but if one does not know the 'proper' name or term for something, it often is frustrating or impossible to get an answer. I have not heard about any comprehensive handbook for Python34 aimed at one who wants to use Python for creating programs (functions) that work - and is not an expert at back-room structure of files and folders.... have I simply missed it? So far, I have not found a local Python expert to ask for help. I am sure some are in the greater Seattle area where I live- but I don't know how to find even one at this time. Garry Crane gandkcrane at msn.com

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