Mining the Social Web, 2nd Edition

Appendix C. Python and IPython Notebook Tips & Tricks

Just as each chapter in this book has a corresponding IPython Notebook, each appendix also has a corresponding IPython Notebook. Like Appendix A, this “in print” appendix serves as a special cross-reference to an IPython Notebook that’s maintained in the book’s GitHub source code repository and includes a collection of Python idioms as well as some helpful tips for using IPython Notebook.

Note

The corresponding IPython Notebook for this appendix, Appendix C: Python and IPython Notebook Tips & Tricks, contains additional examples of common Python idioms that you may find of particular relevance as you work through this book. It also contains some helpful tips about working with IPython Notebook that may save you some time.

Even though it’s not that uncommon to hear Python referred to as “executable pseudocode,” a brief review of Python as a general-purpose programming language may be worthwhile for readers new to Python. Please consider following along with Sections 1 through 8 of the Python Tutorial as a means of basic familiarization if you feel that you could benefit from a general-purpose introduction to Python as a programming language. It’s a worthwhile investment and will maximize your enjoyment of this book.