Mailman 3 November 2011 - Edu-sig

learning algorithms
by roberto Nov. 22, 2011

Nov. 22, 2011

I have to help a teenager who's fond of computer science. He told me he wants to learn "the tough algorithms out there". Of course, nobody helps him at school. I'd like to know some resources to guide him from the very basics of programming to as far as he can at the moment. Since python is my first choice, personally speaking, can you give me some suggestion about a step-by-step introduction to algorithms ? Thank you ! -- roberto

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strange "else" behaviour (after "for", without "if")
by Jurgis Pralgauskis Nov. 21, 2011

Nov. 21, 2011

Hello, does anyone know why this works without error on py 2.7? for x in [2, 5, 1]: print x else: print "nonsense" the result: 2 5 1 nonsense my students made such "composition", and I don't know myself why :) -- Jurgis Pralgauskis tel: 8-616 77613; Don't worry, be happy and make things better ;) http://kompiuterija.pasimokom.lt

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Re: [Edu-sig] Edu-sig Digest, Vol 100, Issue 7
by Al Sweigart Nov. 18, 2011

Nov. 18, 2011

Roberto, Sign him up for Stanford's online Machine Learning class. It doesn't require calculus and is pretty interesting, and it's free. ml-class.org. Also point him to the book Programming Collective Intelligence. It's great about explaining some cool concepts and algorithms in a simple way, and the code in the book is all Python. -Al On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 1:04 PM, <edu-sig-request(a)python.org> wrote: > Send Edu-sig mailing list submissions to > edu-sig(a)python.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > edu-sig-request(a)python.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > edu-sig-owner(a)python.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Edu-sig digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. learning algorithms (roberto) > 2. Re: learning algorithms (erik schoster) > 3. Re: learning algorithms (erik schoster) > 4. Re: learning algorithms (kirby urner) > 5. Re: learning algorithms (Andrew Harrington) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:31:55 +0100 > From: roberto <roberto03(a)gmail.com> > To: edu-sig(a)python.org > Subject: [Edu-sig] learning algorithms > Message-ID: > <CAA4V-PW=w6qTYcV4iYAv-DhPFWQM_Mh_S_HMtjb4qqCFmbeEQw(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > I have to help a teenager who's fond of computer science. > He told me he wants to learn "the tough algorithms out there". Of > course, nobody helps him at school. > > I'd like to know some resources to guide him from the very basics of > programming to as far as he can at the moment. > Since python is my first choice, personally speaking, can you give me > some suggestion about a step-by-step introduction to algorithms ? > > Thank you ! > > -- > roberto > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:44:35 -0600 > From: erik schoster <ejschoster(a)gmail.com> > To: roberto <roberto03(a)gmail.com> > Cc: edu-sig(a)python.org > Subject: Re: [Edu-sig] learning algorithms > Message-ID: > <CAJ7JaKsOEpSSd0xf-RdWOEOVmD8x+EQ1TsRVcAuOkY8rWs0_ew(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > This is a very nice introduction to the fundamentals, IMHO: > http://algorithms.openmymind.net/ > > > On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 2:31 PM, roberto <roberto03(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> I have to help a teenager who's fond of computer science. >> He told me he wants to learn "the tough algorithms out there". Of >> course, nobody helps him at school. >> >> I'd like to know some resources to guide him from the very basics of >> programming to as far as he can at the moment. >> Since python is my first choice, personally speaking, can you give me >> some suggestion about a step-by-step introduction to algorithms ? >> >> Thank you ! >> >> -- >> roberto >> _______________________________________________ >> Edu-sig mailing list >> Edu-sig(a)python.org >> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig >> >

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*** Extended deadline Dec 6 *** CfP: 2nd Workshop on Model-driven Approaches for Simulation Engineering (Mod4Sim), in Symposium on Theory of Modeling and Simulation, SCS Spring Sim 2012
by Daniele Gianni Nov. 16, 2011

Nov. 16, 2011

*************** Deadline Extended to December 6, 2011 *************** ****** Please submit your abstract before November 25, 2011 ********* ##################################################################### CALL FOR PAPERS 2nd International Workshop on Model-driven Approaches for Simulation Engineering part of the Symposium on Theory of Modeling and Simulation (SCS SpringSim 2012) ##################################################################### March 26-29, 2012, Orlando, FL (USA) http://www.sel.uniroma2.it/Mod4Sim12 ##################################################################### # Papers Due: *** December 6, 2011 ****** Extended # Accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings and archived # in the ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplorer and IEEE CS Digital Library. # The Symposium is co-sponsored by IEEE. ##################################################################### The workshop aims to bring together experts in model-based, model- driven and software engineering with experts in simulation methods and simulation practitioners, with the objective to advance the state of the art in model-driven simulation engineering. Model-driven engineering approaches provide considerable advantages to software systems engineering activities through the provision of consistent and coherent models at different abstraction levels. As these models are in a machine readable form, model-driven engineering approaches can also support the exploitation of computing capabilities for model reuse, programming code generation, and model checking, for example. The definition of a simulation model, its software implementation and its execution platform form what is known as simulation engineering. As simulation systems are mainly based on software, these systems can similarly benefit from model-driven approaches to support automatic software generation, enhance software quality, and reduce costs, development effort and time-to-market. Similarly to systems and software engineering, simulation engineering can exploit the capabilities of model-driven approaches by increasing the abstraction level in simulation model specifications and by automating the derivation of simulator code. Further advantages can be gained by using modeling languages, such as UML and SysML – but not exclusively those. For example, modeling languages can be used for descriptive modeling (to describe the system to be simulated), for analytical modeling (to specify analytically the simulation of the same system), and for implementation modeling (to define the respective simulator). A partial list of topics of interest includes: * model-driven simulation engineering processes * requirements modeling for simulation * domain specific languages for modeling and simulation * model transformations for simulation model building * model transformations for simulation model implementation * model-driven engineering of distributed simulation systems * relationship between metamodeling standards (e.g., MOF, Ecore) and distributed simulation standards (e.g., HLA, DIS) * metamodels for simulation reuse and interoperability * model-driven technologies for different simulation paradigms (discrete event simulation, multi-agent simulation, sketch-based * simulation, etc.) * model-driven methods and tools for performance engineering of simulation systems * simulation tools for model-driven software performance engineering * model-driven technologies for simulation verification and validation * model-driven technologies for data collection and analysis * model-driven technologies for simulation visualization * Executable UML * Executable Architectures * SysML / Modelica integration * Simulation Model Portability and reuse * model-based systems verification and validation * simulation for model-based systems engineering To stimulate creativity, however, the workshop maintains a wider scope and welcomes contributions offering original perspectives on model- driven engineering of simulation systems. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ On-Line Submissions and Publication +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ We invite paper submissions in three forms: 1. Full paper (max 8 pages), describing innovative research results. These papers are eligible for the best paper award and may be invited for an extended version in a special issue of the SCS SIMULATION journal. 2. Work-in-progress paper (max 6 pages), describing novel research ideas and promising work that have not yet been fully evaluated. 3. Short paper (max 6 pages), describing industrial and hands-on experience on any relevant area (i.e. military, government, space, etc.). All the papers must be submitted through the SCS conference management systems (http://www.softconf.com/scs/DEVS12/), selecting the Mod4Sim track in the "Submission Categories" section. All the submitted papers must be in PDF format and must conform to the SCS conference template (Word template is available at http://www.scs.org/upload/documents/templates/ConferenceSubmissionWORDTempl… , guidelines are available athttp://www.scs.org/PDFs/formattingkit.pdf). All the submitted papers must be original and not submitted else where. Submitted papers will be peer reviewed with respect to their quality, originality and relevance. The authors of the accepted papers must register in advance for inclusion of their paper in the conference proceedings. Authors of accepted papers will be invited to update their papers basing on the reviews, before providing the camera ready. All accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings and archived in the ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplorer and IEEE CS Digital Library. However, **only** accepted **full papers** will be printed in hard copy. Authors may contact the organizers for expression of interest and content appropriateness at any time. Due to numerous requests, we have extended the deadline for submission of papers. In order to expedite the review process, authors must submit an abstract and information about the paper/authors in the submission system before November 25, 2011. The paper should be uploaded into the system before December 6, 2011. +++++++++++++++ Important Dates +++++++++++++++ Abstract Submission: November 25, 2011 **** Extended Paper Submission: December 6, 2011 **** Extended Notification: January 15, 2012 Ready-Camera Paper: February 5, 2012 Conference: March 26-29, 2012 ++++++++++++++++++++ Organizing Committee ++++++++++++++++++++ * Daniele Gianni - European Space Agency, The Netherlands * Nicolas Rouquette - NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA +++++++++++++++++ Program Committee +++++++++++++++++ * Steffen Becker - University of Paderborn, Germany * David Chen - Univeristy of Bordeaux I, France * Andrea D'Ambrogio - University of Rome TorVergata, Italy * Juan De Lara - Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain * Hans-Peter De Koning - European Space Agency, The Netherlands * Christopher Delp - NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA * Dov Dori - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA * Howard Eisen - NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA * Huascar Espinoza - European Software Institute and Tecnalia, Spain * Paul A. Fishwick - University of Florida, USA * Joachim Fuchs - European Space Agency, The Netherlands * Carlos Juiz - University of Balearic Islands, Spain * Cristiano Leorato - Rhea, The Netherlands * Steve McKeever - University of Oxford, UK * Halit Oguztüzün - Middle East Technical University, Turkey * Chris Paredis - Georgia Institute of Technology, USA * Andreas Tolk - Old Dominion University, USA * Hans Vangheluwe - University of Antwerp, Belgium and McGill University, Canada * Anthony Walsh - European Space Agency, Germany * Heming Zhang - Tsinghua University, China *** Contact Information *** Daniele Gianni and Nicolas Rouquette (workshop co-chairs) Emails: daniele.gianni(a)esa.int and nicolas.f.rouquette(a)jpl.nasa.gov

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some useful memes anyone might use when teaching / learning Python
by kirby urner Nov. 14, 2011

Nov. 14, 2011

Useful memes: === 1. Bootup background as "starry firmament": Python comes with a relatively fixed firmament, like the sphere of the the stars: the '__builtins__' namespace. When your script (from your playbook) launches, it may assume this starry firmament as a background. print( ) will be there. Using some retro pre-Copernican astrolabby toon (meme) is not verboten. We trust our audience to have used Celestia and Stellarium (both open source) and to be unconfused about solar system basics. ** 2. Callables as "consumers": Given emoticons, we know the ( ) in :-( ) stands for "sideways lips". A callable, like an emoticon, has sideways lips: duh( ). Arguments are therefore "eaten" and are "fed" to said "mouth". In the case of __init__ and/or instance creation, we use a birthing metaphor and hence ( ) has a related other meaning. Andragogy remember ( >= TV-14 much of the time, and somewhat demented) Question: we call them "consumers" but how "mindless" might they be? Lets look at the source code. 3. Tractor Art: I continue to develop this package, with an ecosystem of silos (useful for anthropology talk, the A in STEAM). The tractors plow in wavy fields of ASCII, simple 2D array objects (list of lists) called Fields (what else?) Different subtypes of Tractor, such as Cropcircle, know how to "do the math" and give us Mandelbrots, or play Games of Life. Lots of CS type maths in a dense little open source package, a focus of my impromptu Lightning Talks these days (with laptop and slides) The segues to Turtle Art are many and following them is encouraged i.e. Tractor Art is an effective gateway (star gate) to deeper treatments of so many topics. === More memes welcome. Imagining a culturally savvy adult audience that knows about Monty Python is a helpful practice, if aiming for Python.tv Kirby ** I sometimes get feedback warning I should stay away from too much snake imagery, potentially offensive to Xtians (Diversity talk / traffic ). Now that I've seen the new George Harrison biography (a 3.x hour film), I even more appreciate the Monty Python / Beatles connection, 'Life of Brian' in particular. That's not a heritage to be ashamed of, very much on the contrary. So for myself, I'm not worried about it.

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Teaching GUI's in Python?
by Brian Wilkinson Nov. 14, 2011

Nov. 14, 2011

Hello everyone, Our upper school, looking to beef up their technology offerings, offered an introductory programming course this year using Python. I am normally a technology coordinator, supporting teachers and students, but was tapped to teach this class (which I have thoroughly enjoyed so far). The purpose of this course is to try and get kids excited about programming and so I would like to teach them a bit about graphics and GUI's. My initial thought was just to have them work with tkinter, as that (to me) seems the easiest path. After doing some reading, it looks as though wxPython and pyQt are popular options as well. So finally to the questions: 1) Is teaching basic graphics too ambitious for an introductory course? 2) If the answer to #1 is no, do folks out there have suggestions for the best tool to use with the students? I have enjoyed reading this group this year. It has been a big help. Brian Wilkinson Sandy Spring Friends School Technology Resource Coordinator "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

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singpath.com
by Andrew Harrington Nov. 7, 2011

Nov. 7, 2011

If earlier word was sent out about this online learning site, I missed it. Check it out. http://www.singpath.com -- Dr. Andrew N. Harrington Computer Science Department Loyola University Chicago Lakeshore office in the Math Department: 205 Loyola Hall http://www.cs.luc.edu/~anh Phone: 773-915-7999 Fax: 312-915-7998 aharrin(a)luc.edu

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