Python is an ideal language for building software applications in life science research and development. This unique book will show you how to use Python specifically as it applies to bioinformatics, using code examples taken directly from this field and providing extensive coverage of relevant modules and techniques. Whether you're already familiar with Python, write code in another language, or have no programming experience at all this book is an excellent resource both for self-instruction and as a later reference.

Python is an ideal language for building software applications for life science research and development -- powerful, flexible, and easy to use. This unique book teaches you how to program with Python, using code examples taken directly from bioinformatics. You'll find it useful and stimulating whether you're already familiar with Python, write code in another language, or have no programming experience at all.

Within a short time, you'll be using sophisticated programming techniques and Python modules not covered in depth by other sources. Researchers, support staff members, students in bioinformatics, and software developers interested in writing bioinformatics applications will find this book to be an excellent self-instruction tool, as well as a handy reference when facing the challenges of real-life programming tasks.

• Become familiar with Python's fundamentals, including ways to develop simple applications
• Learn how to use Python modules that have particular value in bioinformatics programming, such as those for pattern matching, structured text processing, online data retrieval, and database access
• Discover generalized patterns that cover a large proportion of how Python code is used in bioinformatics
• Learn to apply the principles and techniques of object-oriented programming

This book is still in progress, but you can get going on this technology through our Rough Cuts edition, which lets you read the manuscript as it's being written, either online or via PDF.