Mailman 3 - Edu-sig - python.org

"indigs" as a topic for intro to python
by kirby urner 26 Aug '24

26 Aug '24

I encourage Pythonistas into teaching Python in the context of generic computer science and mathematics, high school and above (and below for the precocious) to consider "indigs" an accessible example of recursion at work. I'm testing it out in a warm up section students might visit if feeling shaky on their Python, or just wanting more background reading. https://github.com/4dsolutions/clarusway_data_analysis/blob/main/python_war… The idea of an indig is very simple and inherits from numerology, a kind of primordial NLP: Take any positive integer, split it into individual digits, add those digits, if the sum is a single digit you're done, otherwise: repeat. Examples: 32986513 = 3+2+9+8+6+5+1+3 = 37 = 3+7 = 10 = 1+0 = 1 59865279171 = 5+9 = 14+8 = 22+6 = 28+5 = 33+2 = 35+7 = 42+9 = 51+1 = 52+7 = 59+1 = 60 = 6+0 = 6 I got it down to this, but it's no crime to take a few more lines. def indig(n: int): return n if len(str(n))==1 else indig(sum(map(int, list(str(n))))) It's not important that "taking the indig of a number" be considered "meaningful" in any way. What's useful about it is it introduces type conversion (int to string digits, back to single ints for summing) as well as recursion. This idea and algorithm may well have been proposed and used before in the literature. Sounds Martin Gardnery. Maybe it's in Knuth already. I'm not trying to establish priority for anything, only circling what looks like promising pedagogy going forward and sharing it with peers. Kirby

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Python teachers comparing notes...
by kirby urner 18 Aug '24

18 Aug '24

To edu-sig: ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Kirby Urner <kirby(a)clarusway.com> Date: Sun, Aug 18, 2024 at 7:32 AM Subject: Fwd: Side topic: IDEs To: kirby urner <kirby.urner(a)gmail.com> Feel free to write to me at Clarusway as well. Kirby ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Kirby Urner <kirby(a)clarusway.com> Date: Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 4:26 PM Subject: Side topic: IDEs To: Edwin W <edwin(a)clarusway.com>, kirby urner <kirby.urner(a)gmail.com> Hi Edwin -- I thought we could have more than one thread going, branching off Incoming Cohort Planning (ongoing). I've seen and taken various approaches to the topic of Interactive Development Environments. Here are some talking points I've used: * you the developer have a choice from a huge variety of IDEs <https://www.creativebloq.com/advice/best-code-editors>, and they continue to evolve. * Don't be afraid to sample several. * Even when you have a favorite, you might want to keep dabbling with the competition, just to see what they're like * IDEs divide into two major categories: (a) IDEs that work with many computer languages, usually by means of "plug ins" (b) IDEs devoted to one primary language only (example: Spyder) Screenshot of me using Spyder just now (when I wanted to test that pi generator again): [image: Screen Shot 2024-07-24 at 4.18.08 PM.png] Sometimes I talk about the history, meaning the lineage, meaning some IDEs grew up inside Windows whereas others derive from a Linux/Unix/Mac background (vi vim emacs). If I'm sharing my screen, I can show some of these IDEs while I mention them, otherwise it can just be information embedded in some Notebook. I used IDLE for years, the IDE that comes with Python when you get it from Python.org. Anaconda gives you Spyder. One reason Python became very popular is because IDLE is cross platform, running in Windows, Mac, Linux pretty much the same way. Guido got a US government grant to work on IDLE (even though he's a Dutch citizen). When I worked for O'Reilly School of Technology, we had our students using remote (cloud based) versions of Eclipse, which was cutting edge but also a bit awkward. Eclipse <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_(software)> (open source project of IBM) features plug-in architecture and works with many languages, but was especially made for Java. I understand that the Clarusway Python courseware is Notebook based, which is not a problem, that's a good environment. I was just wondering if you think it's worthwhile to talk about IDEs, how they are different from Notebooks, and how a Python coder has a choice from many of them. I like how Spyder integrates features and have used it a lot when sharing from an IDE when teaching Python online. Kirby

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passing on Python lore
by kirby urner 25 Jul '24

25 Jul '24

I'm herewith archiving an email from earlier today, to the guy in charge of the Python curriculum at this company I work for (see LinkedIn profile). It refers back to this listserv, in the context of recycling what I consider a choice piece of Python lore: that generator for deriving digits of pi. -- Kirby ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Kirby Urner <kirby(a)clarusway.com> Date: Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 4:05 PM Subject: Python generators (a fun example, not by me) To: On the topic of Python generators, I just wanted to share what I consider a mysterious one, meaning I didn't write it and don't understand why it works (eyeballing the code has not yielded answers). It may have actually come to me from Guido himself if I remember how it went on edu-sig (one of the archived Python.org discussion groups on which I've been active). He and I have a long term shared interest around integrating Python into everyday math learning (we've come a long way since then). For context, I'm copying this Python generator from my Jupyter Notebook called Pi Day, which is about using Python to generate the number pi in various ways: https://nbviewer.org/github/4dsolutions/Python5/blob/master/Pi%20Day%20Fun.… Although most of the Python is by me, I'm simply implementing algorithms discovered by others (it's about their genius, not mine), such as that famous one by Ramanujan in the middle of the page. Here's the generator I'm talking about (at the very end of the above notebook, before the flashing GIF pizza pi): """ Another generator example: converging to Pi https://mail.python.org/pipermail/edu-sig/2015-September/date.html """ def pi(): k, a, b, a1, b1 = 2, 4, 1, 12, 4 while True: p, q, k = k*k, 2*k+1, k+1 a, b, a1, b1 = a1, b1, p*a+q*a1, p*b+q*b1 d, d1 = a/b, a1/b1 while d == d1: yield int(d) a, a1 = 10*(a%b), 10*(a1%b1) d, d1 = a/b, a1/b1 if __name__ == "__main__": the_gen = pi() for _ in range(100): print(next(the_gen),end="") print() If I run that I get (I also have 3.9 as well as 3.11): Python 3.9.12 (main, Apr 5 2022, 01:53:17) Type "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information. IPython 7.31.1 -- An enhanced Interactive Python. runfile('/Users/kirbyurner/Documents/clarusway_data_analysis/python_warm_up/pi_generator.py', wdir='/Users/kirbyurner/Documents/clarusway_data_analysis/python_warm_up') 3141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944592307816406286208998628034825342117067 Those are the digits of pi <https://www.piday.org/million/>! Why? Pretty interesting, no? Kirby

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Part-time opportunities for Python instructors
by Merav Yuravlivker 07 May '24

07 May '24

Hi there, My name is Merav Yuravlivker, and I'm the CEO of Data Society - we deliver data science academies to Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and other international organizations. We're currently looking for part-time Python instructors and TAs, and my friend Jackie Kazil recommended I reach out to you and your list serv. All of these opportunities can be available for people who are employed full-time, professors, or grad students. We pay well and provide all the materials for the instructor, as well as instructor training and support. If possible, would you please be able to share the following blurb? Please let me know if there is anything else you need from me. Much appreciated! Best, Merav --- Data Society, a fast-growing data science training company, is looking for awesome Python instructors and TAs! We deliver data academies to Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and international organizations. All of our content is built in-house by an expert team of data scientists and instructional designers, so you can focus on what you do best - teach professionals how to find new insights and make their jobs easier. We currently have a few openings for TAs, as well as part-time instructors - all of these opportunities can be available for people who are employed full-time, professors, or grad students. We pay competitively, have a great support team, and provide amazing opportunities for additional projects if you're interested. To learn more, please visit our page for current opportunities <https://t.sidekickopen10.com/s2t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5X-F…>, or simply reach out to Merav at merav(a)datasociety.com. -- Schedule a time to meet <https://t.sidekickopen10.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5X-F…> Merav Yuravlivker Data Society, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder 777 6th Street NW, 11th Floor Washington, D.C., 20001 Enterprise: solutions.datasociety.com Consumer: datasociety.com

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introducing python
by kirby urner 18 Apr '24

18 Apr '24

When I start introducing Python I use this chart [1]: Five Dimensions of Python: - Level 0: core syntax with keywords & punctuation, indentation (import, if...) - Level 1: a large set of built-ins (e.g. print) - Level 2: special names with the double underlines - Level 3: Standard Library (e.g. math) - Level 4: 3rd Party Ecosystem (e.g. numpy, pandas, matplotlib) Here's a Level 2 topic I've been recently working on: https://nbviewer.org/github/4dsolutions/m4w/blob/main/gadzooks.ipynb I know, we don't all love those __ribs__ (special names), however that's a benefit of Free Open Source: you can fork and adapt, take the best ideas, and leave the rest. This one is about how implementing __add__ gets you default behavior for __iadd__ with no extra work, with the option to go on to add your own __iadd__. Kirby [1] example of me doing that: https://github.com/4dsolutions/clarusway_data_analysis/blob/main/python_war… coming from: https://nbviewer.org/github/4dsolutions/clarusway_data_analysis/blob/main/D… (Exhibit: some Python teaching in the wild....)

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Lightning Talk: Quadrays with Python
by kirby urner 08 Apr '24

08 Apr '24

https://youtu.be/enO1vgOJxwM Were I to join the Saturday Morning queue, and share a Lightning Talk at a Pycon. Fond memories. [1] This 4 min 38 sec YouTube speaks to teachers in that Venn Diagram where the set of math teachers and set of Python programmers intersect. edu-sig has always presumed such an intersection exists, and caters to its members. Kirby

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CODING FOR KIDS
by Shard Center for Innovation 22 Mar '24

22 Mar '24

Shard Center for Innovation is an esteemed institution dedicated to nurturing young minds through coding for kids programs. With a strong focus on technological literacy and creativity, our courses are designed to equip children aged 7 to 17 with essential coding skills in a fun and engaging way. Our curriculum is carefully crafted to cater to different age groups and skill levels, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention and support. Through hands-on projects, interactive activities, and collaborative learning environments, we inspire curiosity and foster a passion for coding early on. https://scilindia.org/blog/coding-for-kids/

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Grokking Python
by kirby urner 05 Mar '24

05 Mar '24

Long termers here will likely remember my fave Pythonic Pedagogy: to introduce special names as __ribs__. Because pythons have lots of __ribs__. I've not abandoned this idea, just haven't been redundantly reposting about it here for some time. But now... Why not share a couple "friend links" (nothing counts against a quota, no logging in I hope)?: https://kirbyurner.medium.com/grokking-python-9f96140c1e07?sk=d1ec6762e753d… https://kirbyurner.medium.com/pythons-rib-cage-e4ff16cf3a74?sk=3e59d2356de6… A two parter on Medium. I'm getting some claps. I can take criticisms too. Kirby

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How to Python soft cell infinite polyhedral tilings?
by Wes Turner 02 Mar '24

02 Mar '24

"Soft cells and the geometry of seashells" (2024) https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.04190 : > A central problem of geometry is the tiling of space with simple structures. The classical solutions, such as triangles, squares, and hexagons in the plane and cubes and other polyhedra in three-dimensional space are built with sharp corners and flat faces. However, many tilings in Nature are characterized by shapes with curved edges, non-flat faces, and few, if any, sharp corners. An important question is then to relate prototypical sharp tilings to softer natural shapes. Here, we solve this problem by introducing a new class of shapes, the \textit{soft cells}, minimizing the number of sharp corners and filling space as \emph{soft tilings}. We prove that an infinite class of polyhedral tilings can be smoothly deformed into soft tilings and we construct the soft versions of all Dirichlet-Voronoi cells associated with point lattices in two and three dimensions. Remarkably, these ideal soft shapes, born out of geometry, are found abundantly in nature, from cells to shells. Schema:NewsArticles about said schema.org/ScholarlyArticle: - https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/math/a46973545/soft-cells-secret-g… https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/mathematicians-discovered-secret-geometry-lif… : > The team believes that they’ve solved the problem of dimensions with this new “infinite class of polyhedral tilings” that can smoothly deform into soft tiles and construct soft versions of cells generally associated with point lattices in both two and three dimensions. [...] > > In two dimensions, these soft shell shapes are pretty easy to describe—according to the paper, they are “cells with curved boundaries which have only two corners.” In the three-dimensional space, things get a little more complicated, but the goal is the same: let things be bendy and minimize the amount of “corners” present. In 3D, a soft cell shape can have no corners at all. > > “We found that architects have found these kinds of shapes intuitively when they wanted to avoid corners,” Domokos said. A math thing to be Python'd. What [Python,] geometry software could do or does 2D, 3D, and N-D infinite polyhedral tilings like this?

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boosting sympy (again)
by kirby urner 11 Feb '24

11 Feb '24

I've linked to this Notebook previously, however seeing as it's on Github, it keeps getting updated (just by me in this scenario): https://nbviewer.org/github/4dsolutions/m4w/blob/main/Polyhedrons.ipynb Github view: https://github.com/4dsolutions/m4w/blob/main/Polyhedrons.ipynb This Notebook showcases what you get from the sympy module: * numeric evaluations to arbitrary precision * parallel keeping track of numeric values as algebraic expressions One could argue one gets this from Mathematica and I'd agree: Python has freed itself from the constraints of floating point and does computer algebra (CAS) to a decent level, by means of free open source libraries. My strategy continues to be to market this curriculum tech locally (e.g. here in Oregon), while advertising it more globally (e.g. via Lithuania). Kirby Addendum: More of that same geometry (links to said notebook): https://mybizmo.blogspot.com/2024/02/slinging-jargon.html Some history (re the Greater Pythonista community). https://worldgame.blogspot.com/2010/09/setting-up-djangocon.html Is there a pyhist-sig(a)python.org or like that?

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