#Python data manipulation

[trendingnow3-blog]

Day-1: Demystifying Python Variables: A Comprehensive Guide for Data Management

Python Boot Camp Series 2023.

Python is a powerful and versatile programming language used for a wide range of applications. One of the fundamental concepts in Python, and in programming in general, is working with variables. In this article, we will explore what variables are, how to use them effectively to manage data, and some best practices for their usage. What are Variables in Python? Definition of Variables In…

[gaast]

difference between replacing FA with 20 between Python (left; with Pillow and binascii) and a hex editor (right, HxD).

[codewithnazam]

Cleaning Dirty Data in Python: Practical Techniques with Pandas

I. Introduction Hey there! So, let’s talk about a really important step in data analysis: data cleaning. It’s basically like tidying up your room before a big party – you want everything to be neat and organized so you can find what you need, right? Now, when it comes to sorting through a bunch of messy data, you’ll be glad to have a tool like Pandas by your side. It’s like the superhero of…

[cyberstudious]

Tools of the Trade for Learning Cybersecurity

I created this post for the Studyblr Masterpost Jam, check out the tag for more cool masterposts from folks in the studyblr community!

Cybersecurity professionals use a lot of different tools to get the job done. There are plenty of fancy and expensive tools that enterprise security teams use, but luckily there are also lots of brilliant people writing free and open-source software. In this post, I'm going to list some popular free tools that you can download right now to practice and learn with.

In my opinion, one of the most important tools you can learn how to use is a virtual machine. If you're not already familiar with Linux, this is a great way to learn. VMs are helpful for separating all your security tools from your everyday OS, isolating potentially malicious files, and just generally experimenting. You'll need to use something like VirtualBox or VMWare Workstation (Workstation Pro is now free for personal use, but they make you jump through hoops to download it).

Below is a list of some popular cybersecurity-focused Linux distributions that come with lots of tools pre-installed:

Kali is a popular distro that comes loaded with tools for penetration testing

REMnux is a distro built for malware analysis

honorable mention for FLARE-VM, which is not a VM on its own, but a set of scripts for setting up a malware analysis workstation & installing tools on a Windows VM.

SANS maintains several different distros that are used in their courses. You'll need to create an account to download them, but they're all free:

Slingshot is built for penetration testing

SIFT Workstation is a distro that comes with lots of tools for digital forensics

These distros can be kind of overwhelming if you don't know how to use most of the pre-installed software yet, so just starting with a regular Linux distribution and installing tools as you want to learn them is another good choice for learning.

Free Software

Wireshark: sniff packets and explore network protocols

Ghidra and the free version of IDA Pro are the top picks for reverse engineering

for digital forensics, check out Eric Zimmerman's tools - there are many different ones for exploring & analyzing different forensic artifacts

pwntools is a super useful Python library for solving binary exploitation CTF challenges

CyberChef is a tool that makes it easy to manipulate data - encryption & decryption, encoding & decoding, formatting, conversions… CyberChef gives you a lot to work with (and there's a web version - no installation required!).

Burp Suite is a handy tool for web security testing that has a free community edition

Metasploit is a popular penetration testing framework, check out Metasploitable if you want a target to practice with

SANS also has a list of free tools that's worth checking out.

Programming Languages

Knowing how to write code isn't a hard requirement for learning cybersecurity, but it's incredibly useful. Any programming language will do, especially since learning one will make it easy to pick up others, but these are some common ones that security folks use:

Python is quick to write, easy to learn, and since it's so popular, there are lots of helpful libraries out there.

PowerShell is useful for automating things in the Windows world. It's built on .NET, so you can practically dip into writing C# if you need a bit more power.

Go is a relatively new language, but it's popular and there are some security tools written in it.

Rust is another new-ish language that's designed for memory safety and it has a wonderful community. There's a bit of a steep learning curve, but learning Rust makes you understand how memory bugs work and I think that's neat.

If you want to get into reverse engineering or malware analysis, you'll want to have a good grasp of C and C++.

Other Tools for Cybersecurity

There are lots of things you'll need that aren't specific to cybersecurity, like:

a good system for taking notes, whether that's pen & paper or software-based. I recommend using something that lets you work in plain text or close to it.

general command line familiarity + basic knowledge of CLI text editors (nano is great, but what if you have to work with a system that only has vi?)

familiarity with git and docker will be helpful

There are countless scripts and programs out there, but the most important thing is understanding what your tools do and how they work. There is no magic "hack this system" or "solve this forensics case" button. Tools are great for speeding up the process, but you have to know what the process is. Definitely take some time to learn how to use them, but don't base your entire understanding of security on code that someone else wrote. That's how you end up as a "script kiddie", and your skills and knowledge will be limited.

Feel free to send me an ask if you have questions about any specific tool or something you found that I haven't listed. I have approximate knowledge of many things, and if I don't have an answer I can at least help point you in the right direction.

[izicodes]

Hi! I’m a student currently learning computer science in college and would love it if you had any advice for a cool personal project to do? Thanks!

Personal Project Ideas

Hiya!! 💕

It's so cool that you're a computer science student, and with that, you have plenty of options for personal projects that can help with learning more from what they teach you at college. I don't have any experience being a university student however 😅

Someone asked me a very similar question before because I shared my projects list and they asked how I come up with project ideas - maybe this can inspire you too, here's the link to the post [LINK]

However, I'll be happy to share some ideas with you right now. Just a heads up: you can alter the projects to your own specific interests or goals in mind. Though it's a personal project meaning not an assignment from school, you can always personalise it to yourself as well! Also, I don't know the level you are, e.g. beginner or you're pretty confident in programming, if the project sounds hard, try to simplify it down - no need to go overboard!!

But here is the list I came up with (some are from my own list):

Personal Finance Tracker

A web app that tracks personal finances by integrating with bank APIs. You can use Python with Flask for the backend and React for the frontend. I think this would be great for learning how to work with APIs and how to build web applications 🏦

Online Food Ordering System

A web app that allows users to order food from a restaurant's menu. You can use PHP with Laravel for the backend and Vue.js for the frontend. This helps you learn how to work with databases (a key skill I believe) and how to build interactive user interfaces 🙌🏾

Movie Recommendation System

I see a lot of developers make this on Twitter and YouTube. It's a machine-learning project that recommends movies to users based on their past viewing habits. You can use Python with Pandas, Scikit-learn, and TensorFlow for the machine learning algorithms. Obviously, this helps you learn about how to build machine-learning models, and how to use libraries for data manipulation and analysis 📊

Image Recognition App

This is more geared towards app development if you're interested! It's an Android app that uses image recognition to identify objects in a photo. You can use Java or Kotlin for the Android development and TensorFlow for machine learning algorithms. Learning how to work with image recognition and how to build mobile applications - which is super cool 👀

Social Media Platform

(I really want to attempt this one soon) A web app that allows users to post, share, and interact with each other's content. Come up with a cool name for it! You can use Ruby on Rails for the backend and React for the frontend. This project would be great for learning how to build full-stack web applications (a plus cause that's a trend that companies are looking for in developers) and how to work with user authentication and authorization (another plus)! 🎭

Text-Based Adventure Game

If you're interested in game developments, you could make a simple game where users make choices and navigate through a story by typing text commands. You can use Python for the game logic and a library like Pygame for the graphics. This project would be great for learning how to build games and how to work with input/output. 🎮

Weather App

Pretty simple project - I did this for my apprenticeship and coding night classes! It's a web app that displays weather information for a user's location. You can use Node.js with Express for the backend and React for the frontend. Working with APIs again, how to handle asynchronous programming, and how to build responsive user interfaces! 🌈

Online Quiz Game

A web app that allows users to take quizzes and compete with other players. You could personalise it to a module you're studying right now - making a whole quiz application for it will definitely help you study! You can use PHP with Laravel for the backend and Vue.js for the frontend. You get to work with databases, build real-time applications, and maybe work with user authentication. 🧮

Chatbot

(My favourite, I'm currently planning for this one!) A chatbot that can answer user questions and provide information. You can use Python with Flask for the backend and a natural language processing library like NLTK for the chatbot logic. If you want to mauke it more beginner friendly, you could use HTML, CSS and JavaScript and have hard-coded answers set, maybe use a bunch of APIs for the answers etc! This project would be great because you get to learn how to build chatbots, and how to work with natural language processing - if you go that far! 🤖

Another place I get inspiration for more web frontend dev projects is on Behance and Pinterest - on Pinterest search for like "Web design" or "[Specific project] web design e.g. shopping web design" and I get inspiration from a bunch of pins I put together! Maybe try that out!

I hope this helps and good luck with your project!

[sak-shi]

Python Libraries to Learn Before Tackling Data Analysis

To tackle data analysis effectively in Python, it's crucial to become familiar with several libraries that streamline the process of data manipulation, exploration, and visualization. Here's a breakdown of the essential libraries:

 1. NumPy

   - Purpose: Numerical computing.

   - Why Learn It: NumPy provides support for large multi-dimensional arrays and matrices, along with a collection of mathematical functions to operate on these arrays efficiently.

   - Key Features:

     - Fast array processing.

     - Mathematical operations on arrays (e.g., sum, mean, standard deviation).

     - Linear algebra operations.

 2. Pandas

   - Purpose: Data manipulation and analysis.

   - Why Learn It: Pandas offers data structures like DataFrames, making it easier to handle and analyze structured data.

   - Key Features:

     - Reading/writing data from CSV, Excel, SQL databases, and more.

     - Handling missing data.

     - Powerful group-by operations.

     - Data filtering and transformation.

 3. Matplotlib

   - Purpose: Data visualization.

   - Why Learn It: Matplotlib is one of the most widely used plotting libraries in Python, allowing for a wide range of static, animated, and interactive plots.

   - Key Features:

     - Line plots, bar charts, histograms, scatter plots.

     - Customizable charts (labels, colors, legends).

     - Integration with Pandas for quick plotting.

 4. Seaborn

   - Purpose: Statistical data visualization.

   - Why Learn It: Built on top of Matplotlib, Seaborn simplifies the creation of attractive and informative statistical graphics.

   - Key Features:

     - High-level interface for drawing attractive statistical graphics.

     - Easier to use for complex visualizations like heatmaps, pair plots, etc.

     - Visualizations based on categorical data.

 5. SciPy

   - Purpose: Scientific and technical computing.

   - Why Learn It: SciPy builds on NumPy and provides additional functionality for complex mathematical operations and scientific computing.

   - Key Features:

     - Optimized algorithms for numerical integration, optimization, and more.

     - Statistics, signal processing, and linear algebra modules.

 6. Scikit-learn

   - Purpose: Machine learning and statistical modeling.

   - Why Learn It: Scikit-learn provides simple and efficient tools for data mining, analysis, and machine learning.

   - Key Features:

     - Classification, regression, and clustering algorithms.

     - Dimensionality reduction, model selection, and preprocessing utilities.

 7. Statsmodels

   - Purpose: Statistical analysis.

   - Why Learn It: Statsmodels allows users to explore data, estimate statistical models, and perform tests.

   - Key Features:

     - Linear regression, logistic regression, time series analysis.

     - Statistical tests and models for descriptive statistics.

 8. Plotly

   - Purpose: Interactive data visualization.

   - Why Learn It: Plotly allows for the creation of interactive and web-based visualizations, making it ideal for dashboards and presentations.

   - Key Features:

     - Interactive plots like scatter, line, bar, and 3D plots.

     - Easy integration with web frameworks.

     - Dashboards and web applications with Dash.

 9. TensorFlow/PyTorch (Optional)

   - Purpose: Machine learning and deep learning.

   - Why Learn It: If your data analysis involves machine learning, these libraries will help in building, training, and deploying deep learning models.

   - Key Features:

     - Tensor processing and automatic differentiation.

     - Building neural networks.

 10. Dask (Optional)

   - Purpose: Parallel computing for data analysis.

   - Why Learn It: Dask enables scalable data manipulation by parallelizing Pandas operations, making it ideal for big datasets.

   - Key Features:

     - Works with NumPy, Pandas, and Scikit-learn.

     - Handles large data and parallel computations easily.

Focusing on NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, and Seaborn will set a strong foundation for basic data analysis.

[tech-insides]

What are the skills needed for a data scientist job?

It’s one of those careers that’s been getting a lot of buzz lately, and for good reason. But what exactly do you need to become a data scientist? Let’s break it down.

Technical Skills

First off, let's talk about the technical skills. These are the nuts and bolts of what you'll be doing every day.

Programming Skills: At the top of the list is programming. You’ll need to be proficient in languages like Python and R. These are the go-to tools for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization. If you’re comfortable writing scripts and solving problems with code, you’re on the right track.

Statistical Knowledge: Next up, you’ve got to have a solid grasp of statistics. This isn’t just about knowing the theory; it’s about applying statistical techniques to real-world data. You’ll need to understand concepts like regression, hypothesis testing, and probability.

Machine Learning: Machine learning is another biggie. You should know how to build and deploy machine learning models. This includes everything from simple linear regressions to complex neural networks. Familiarity with libraries like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch will be a huge plus.

Data Wrangling: Data isn’t always clean and tidy when you get it. Often, it’s messy and requires a lot of preprocessing. Skills in data wrangling, which means cleaning and organizing data, are essential. Tools like Pandas in Python can help a lot here.

Data Visualization: Being able to visualize data is key. It’s not enough to just analyze data; you need to present it in a way that makes sense to others. Tools like Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Tableau can help you create clear and compelling visuals.

Analytical Skills

Now, let’s talk about the analytical skills. These are just as important as the technical skills, if not more so.

Problem-Solving: At its core, data science is about solving problems. You need to be curious and have a knack for figuring out why something isn’t working and how to fix it. This means thinking critically and logically.

Domain Knowledge: Understanding the industry you’re working in is crucial. Whether it’s healthcare, finance, marketing, or any other field, knowing the specifics of the industry will help you make better decisions and provide more valuable insights.

Communication Skills: You might be working with complex data, but if you can’t explain your findings to others, it’s all for nothing. Being able to communicate clearly and effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders is a must.

Soft Skills

Don’t underestimate the importance of soft skills. These might not be as obvious, but they’re just as critical.

Collaboration: Data scientists often work in teams, so being able to collaborate with others is essential. This means being open to feedback, sharing your ideas, and working well with colleagues from different backgrounds.

Time Management: You’ll likely be juggling multiple projects at once, so good time management skills are crucial. Knowing how to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively can make a big difference.

Adaptability: The field of data science is always evolving. New tools, techniques, and technologies are constantly emerging. Being adaptable and willing to learn new things is key to staying current and relevant in the field.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Becoming a data scientist requires a mix of technical prowess, analytical thinking, and soft skills. It’s a challenging but incredibly rewarding career path. If you’re passionate about data and love solving problems, it might just be the perfect fit for you.

Good luck to all of you aspiring data scientists out there!

[historysurvivalguide]

Six New Named Titan Lakes!

Hot off the presses from the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature (5/23/2024)

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Chapala Lacus , Robino Lacus, Fena Lacus, Dem Lacus, Tibi Lacus, and Vaca Lacus for six features on Titan. For more information, please see the Titan North Pole nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

All six new named features are lakes (lacus) and are all named after lakes on Earth

Chapala Lacus: Named after a lake in Mexico

Dem Lacus: Named after a Lake in Burkina Faso

Fena Lacus: Named after a lake in Guam

Robino Lacus: Named after a lake in Haiti

Tibi Lacus: Named after a lake in the Sierra Leone

Vaca Lacus: Named after a Lake in Belize

All six lakes are visible from Cassini between 72-78 degrees latitude and 129-144 degrees longitude on Titan. The lakes are the small dark smudges:

The images above were recovered from the Cassini RADAR images taken of the spot on September 30, 2005 (T18-S01). This was done via pydar—a Python tool I help develop

Side note: it took longer than expected to get these changes up in Pydar because the web scrapper in place kept failing mysteriously. I think the folks that run the planetary data service for Cassini should sent me—me specifically���an email to tell me they were updating the website URL from “pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov” to “planetarydata.jpl.nasa.gov” since it broke the backend for Pydar in a very strange way and I couldn’t find any reference to the change. All fixed now but it was confusing to debug

[uthra-krish]

Exploring Data Science Tools: My Adventures with Python, R, and More

Welcome to my data science journey! In this blog post, I'm excited to take you on a captivating adventure through the world of data science tools. We'll explore the significance of choosing the right tools and how they've shaped my path in this thrilling field.

Choosing the right tools in data science is akin to a chef selecting the finest ingredients for a culinary masterpiece. Each tool has its unique flavor and purpose, and understanding their nuances is key to becoming a proficient data scientist.

I. The Quest for the Right Tool

My journey began with confusion and curiosity. The world of data science tools was vast and intimidating. I questioned which programming language would be my trusted companion on this expedition. The importance of selecting the right tool soon became evident.

I embarked on a research quest, delving deep into the features and capabilities of various tools. Python and R emerged as the frontrunners, each with its strengths and applications. These two contenders became the focus of my data science adventures.

II. Python: The Swiss Army Knife of Data Science

Python, often hailed as the Swiss Army Knife of data science, stood out for its versatility and widespread popularity. Its extensive library ecosystem, including NumPy for numerical computing, pandas for data manipulation, and Matplotlib for data visualization, made it a compelling choice.

My first experiences with Python were both thrilling and challenging. I dove into coding, faced syntax errors, and wrestled with data structures. But with each obstacle, I discovered new capabilities and expanded my skill set.

III. R: The Statistical Powerhouse

In the world of statistics, R shines as a powerhouse. Its statistical packages like dplyr for data manipulation and ggplot2 for data visualization are renowned for their efficacy. As I ventured into R, I found myself immersed in a world of statistical analysis and data exploration.

My journey with R included memorable encounters with data sets, where I unearthed hidden insights and crafted beautiful visualizations. The statistical prowess of R truly left an indelible mark on my data science adventure.

IV. Beyond Python and R: Exploring Specialized Tools

While Python and R were my primary companions, I couldn't resist exploring specialized tools and programming languages that catered to specific niches in data science. These tools offered unique features and advantages that added depth to my skill set.

For instance, tools like SQL allowed me to delve into database management and querying, while Scala opened doors to big data analytics. Each tool found its place in my toolkit, serving as a valuable asset in different scenarios.

V. The Learning Curve: Challenges and Rewards

The path I took wasn't without its share of difficulties. Learning Python, R, and specialized tools presented a steep learning curve. Debugging code, grasping complex algorithms, and troubleshooting errors were all part of the process.

However, these challenges brought about incredible rewards. With persistence and dedication, I overcame obstacles, gained a profound understanding of data science, and felt a growing sense of achievement and empowerment.

VI. Leveraging Python and R Together

One of the most exciting revelations in my journey was discovering the synergy between Python and R. These two languages, once considered competitors, complemented each other beautifully.

I began integrating Python and R seamlessly into my data science workflow. Python's data manipulation capabilities combined with R's statistical prowess proved to be a winning combination. Together, they enabled me to tackle diverse data science tasks effectively.

VII. Tips for Beginners

For fellow data science enthusiasts beginning their own journeys, I offer some valuable tips:

Embrace curiosity and stay open to learning.

Work on practical projects while engaging in frequent coding practice.

Explore data science courses and resources to enhance your skills.

Seek guidance from mentors and engage with the data science community.

Remember that the journey is continuous—there's always more to learn and discover.

My adventures with Python, R, and various data science tools have been transformative. I've learned that choosing the right tool for the job is crucial, but versatility and adaptability are equally important traits for a data scientist.

As I summarize my expedition, I emphasize the significance of selecting tools that align with your project requirements and objectives. Each tool has a unique role to play, and mastering them unlocks endless possibilities in the world of data science.

I encourage you to embark on your own tool exploration journey in data science. Embrace the challenges, relish the rewards, and remember that the adventure is ongoing. May your path in data science be as exhilarating and fulfilling as mine has been.

Happy data exploring!

[trendingnow3-blog]

Day-4: Unlocking the Power of Randomization in Python Lists

Python Boot Camp 2023 - Day-4

Randomization and Python List Introduction Randomization is an essential concept in computer programming and data analysis. It involves the process of generating random elements or sequences that have an equal chance of being selected. In Python, randomization is a powerful tool that allows developers to introduce an element of unpredictability and make programs more dynamic. This article…

[govindhtech]

AI Frameworks Help Data Scientists For GenAI Survival

AI Frameworks: Crucial to the Success of GenAI

Develop Your AI Capabilities Now

You play a crucial part in the quickly growing field of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as a data scientist. Your proficiency in data analysis, modeling, and interpretation is still essential, even though platforms like Hugging Face and LangChain are at the forefront of AI research.

Although GenAI systems are capable of producing remarkable outcomes, they still mostly depend on clear, organized data and perceptive interpretation areas in which data scientists are highly skilled. You can direct GenAI models to produce more precise, useful predictions by applying your in-depth knowledge of data and statistical techniques. In order to ensure that GenAI systems are based on strong, data-driven foundations and can realize their full potential, your job as a data scientist is crucial. Here’s how to take the lead:

Data Quality Is Crucial

The effectiveness of even the most sophisticated GenAI models depends on the quality of the data they use. By guaranteeing that the data is relevant, AI tools like Pandas and Modin enable you to clean, preprocess, and manipulate large datasets.

Analysis and Interpretation of Exploratory Data

It is essential to comprehend the features and trends of the data before creating the models. Data and model outputs are visualized via a variety of data science frameworks, like Matplotlib and Seaborn, which aid developers in comprehending the data, selecting features, and interpreting the models.

Model Optimization and Evaluation

A variety of algorithms for model construction are offered by AI frameworks like scikit-learn, PyTorch, and TensorFlow. To improve models and their performance, they provide a range of techniques for cross-validation, hyperparameter optimization, and performance evaluation.

Model Deployment and Integration

Tools such as ONNX Runtime and MLflow help with cross-platform deployment and experimentation tracking. By guaranteeing that the models continue to function successfully in production, this helps the developers oversee their projects from start to finish.

Intel’s Optimized AI Frameworks and Tools

The technologies that developers are already familiar with in data analytics, machine learning, and deep learning (such as Modin, NumPy, scikit-learn, and PyTorch) can be used. For the many phases of the AI process, such as data preparation, model training, inference, and deployment, Intel has optimized the current AI tools and AI frameworks, which are based on a single, open, multiarchitecture, multivendor software platform called oneAPI programming model.

Data Engineering and Model Development:

To speed up end-to-end data science pipelines on Intel architecture, use Intel’s AI Tools, which include Python tools and frameworks like Modin, Intel Optimization for TensorFlow Optimizations, PyTorch Optimizations, IntelExtension for Scikit-learn, and XGBoost.

Optimization and Deployment

For CPU or GPU deployment, Intel Neural Compressor speeds up deep learning inference and minimizes model size. Models are optimized and deployed across several hardware platforms including Intel CPUs using the OpenVINO toolbox.

You may improve the performance of your Intel hardware platforms with the aid of these AI tools.

Library of Resources

Discover collection of excellent, professionally created, and thoughtfully selected resources that are centered on the core data science competencies that developers need. Exploring machine and deep learning AI frameworks.

What you will discover:

Use Modin to expedite the extract, transform, and load (ETL) process for enormous DataFrames and analyze massive datasets.

To improve speed on Intel hardware, use Intel’s optimized AI frameworks (such as Intel Optimization for XGBoost, Intel Extension for Scikit-learn, Intel Optimization for PyTorch, and Intel Optimization for TensorFlow).

Use Intel-optimized software on the most recent Intel platforms to implement and deploy AI workloads on Intel Tiber AI Cloud.

How to Begin

Frameworks for Data Engineering and Machine Learning

Step 1: View the Modin, Intel Extension for Scikit-learn, and Intel Optimization for XGBoost videos and read the introductory papers.

Modin: To achieve a quicker turnaround time overall, the video explains when to utilize Modin and how to apply Modin and Pandas judiciously. A quick start guide for Modin is also available for more in-depth information.

Scikit-learn Intel Extension: This tutorial gives you an overview of the extension, walks you through the code step-by-step, and explains how utilizing it might improve performance. A movie on accelerating silhouette machine learning techniques, PCA, and K-means clustering is also available.

Intel Optimization for XGBoost: This straightforward tutorial explains Intel Optimization for XGBoost and how to use Intel optimizations to enhance training and inference performance.

Step 2: Use Intel Tiber AI Cloud to create and develop machine learning workloads.

On Intel Tiber AI Cloud, this tutorial runs machine learning workloads with Modin, scikit-learn, and XGBoost.

Step 3: Use Modin and scikit-learn to create an end-to-end machine learning process using census data.

Run an end-to-end machine learning task using 1970–2010 US census data with this code sample. The code sample uses the Intel Extension for Scikit-learn module to analyze exploratory data using ridge regression and the Intel Distribution of Modin.

Deep Learning Frameworks

Step 4: Begin by watching the videos and reading the introduction papers for Intel’s PyTorch and TensorFlow optimizations.

Intel PyTorch Optimizations: Read the article to learn how to use the Intel Extension for PyTorch to accelerate your workloads for inference and training. Additionally, a brief video demonstrates how to use the addon to run PyTorch inference on an Intel Data Center GPU Flex Series.

Intel’s TensorFlow Optimizations: The article and video provide an overview of the Intel Extension for TensorFlow and demonstrate how to utilize it to accelerate your AI tasks.

Step 5: Use TensorFlow and PyTorch for AI on the Intel Tiber AI Cloud.

In this article, it show how to use PyTorch and TensorFlow on Intel Tiber AI Cloud to create and execute complicated AI workloads.

Step 6: Speed up LSTM text creation with Intel Extension for TensorFlow.

The Intel Extension for TensorFlow can speed up LSTM model training for text production.

Step 7: Use PyTorch and DialoGPT to create an interactive chat-generation model.

Discover how to use Hugging Face’s pretrained DialoGPT model to create an interactive chat model and how to use the Intel Extension for PyTorch to dynamically quantize the model.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

[guzsdaily]

Good Code is Boring

Daily Blogs 358 - Oct 28th, 12.024

Something I started to notice and think about, is how much most good code is kinda boring.

Clever Code

Go (or "Golang" for SEO friendliness) is my third or fourth programming language that I learned, and it is somewhat a new paradigm for me.

My first language was Java, famous for its Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) paradigms and features. I learned it for game development, which is somewhat okay with Java, and to be honest, I hardly remember how it was. However, I learned from others how much OOP can get out of control and be a nightmare with inheritance inside inheritance inside inheritance.

And then I learned JavaScript after some years... fucking god. But being honest, in the start JS was a blast, and I still think it is a good language... for the browser. If you start to go outside from the standard vanilla JavaScript, things start to be clever. In an engineering view, the ecosystem is really powerful, things such as JSX and all the frameworks that use it, the compilers for Vue and Svelte, and the whole bundling, and splitting, and transpiling of Rollup, ESBuild, Vite and using TypeScript, to compile a language to another, that will have a build process, all of this, for an interpreted language... it is a marvel of engineering, but it is just too much.

Finally, I learned Rust... which I kinda like it. I didn't really make a big project with it, just a small CLI for manipulating markdown, which was nice and when I found a good solution for converting Markdown AST to NPF it was a big hit of dopamine because it was really elegant. However, nowadays, I do feel like it is having the same problems of JavaScript. Macros are a good feature, but end up being the go-to solution when you simply can't make the code "look pretty"; or having to use a library to anything a little more complex; or having to deal with lifetimes. And if you want to do anything a little more complex "the Rust way", you will easily do head to head with a wall of skill-issues. I still love it and its complexity, and for things like compiler and transpilers it feels like a good shot.

Going Go

This year I started to learn Go (or "Golang" for SEO friendliness), and it has being kinda awesome.

Go is kinda like Python in its learning curve, and it is somewhat like C but without all the needing of handling memory and needing to create complex data structured from scratch. And I have never really loved it, but never really hated it, since it is mostly just boring and simple.

There are no macros or magic syntax. No pattern matching on types, since you can just use a switch statement. You don't have to worry a lot about packages, since the standard library will cover you up to 80% of features. If you need a package, you don't need to worry about a centralized registry to upload and the security vulnerability of a single failure point, all packages are just Git repositories that you import and that's it. And no file management, since it just uses the file system for packages and imports.

And it feels like Go pretty much made all the obvious decisions that make sense, and you mostly never question or care about them, because they don't annoy you. The syntax doesn't get into your way. And in the end you just end up comparing to other languages' features, saying to yourself "man... we could save some lines here" knowing damn well it's not worth it. It's boring.

You write code, make your feature be completed in some hours, and compile it with go build. And run the binary, and it's fast.

Going Simple

And writing Go kinda opened a new passion in programming for me.

Coming from JavaScript and Rust really made me be costumed with complexity, and going now to Go really is making me value simplicity and having the less moving parts are possible.

I am becoming more aware from installing dependencies, checking to see their dependencies, to be sure that I'm not putting 100 projects under my own. And when I need something more complex but specific, just copy-and-paste it and put the proper license and notice of it, no need to install a whole project. All other necessities I just write my own version, since most of the time it can be simpler, a learning opportunity, and a better solution for your specific problem. With Go I just need go build to build my project, and when I need JavaScript, I just fucking write it and that's it, no TypeScript (JSDoc covers 99% of the use cases for TS), just write JS for the browser, check if what you're using is supported by modern browsers, and serve them as-is.

Doing this is really opening some opportunities to learn how to implement solutions, instead of just using libraries or cumbersome language features to implement it, since I mostly read from source-code of said libraries and implement the concept myself. Not only this, but this is really making me appreciate more standards and tooling, both from languages and from ecosystem (such as web standards), since I can just follow them and have things work easily with the outside world.

The evolution

And I kinda already feel like this is making me a better developer overhaul. I knew that with an interesting experiment I made.

One of my first actual projects was, of course, a to-do app. I wrote it in Vue using Nuxt, and it was great not-gonna-lie, Nuxt and Vue are awesome frameworks and still one of my favorites, but damn well it was overkill for a to-do app. Looking back... more than 30k lines of code for this app is just too much.

And that's what I thought around the start of this year, which is why I made an experiment, creating a to-do app in just one HTML file, using AlpineJS and PicoCSS.

The file ended up having just 350 files.

Today's artists & creative things Music: Torna a casa - by Måneskin

© 2024 Gustavo "Guz" L. de Mello. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

[codewithnazam]

DataFrame in Pandas: Guide to Creating Awesome DataFrames

Explore how to create a dataframe in Pandas, including data input methods, customization options, and practical examples.

Data analysis used to be a daunting task, reserved for statisticians and mathematicians. But with the rise of powerful tools like Python and its fantastic library, Pandas, anyone can become a data whiz! Pandas, in particular, shines with its DataFrames, these nifty tables that organize and manipulate data like magic. But where do you start? Fear not, fellow data enthusiast, for this guide will…

[inkofamethyst]

October 27, 2024

An eventful weekend!!

Had a department outing Friday night which was good fun. Saw lots of stars, chatted with people, picked up the most delicious lemon cake I've ever had in my life. It is actually insanely good and I've eaten like two thirds of the loaf already T.T

Managed to complete (most of) what I wanted for the Katara costume! It wasn't perfect (I'm considering using what I've learned and the extra fabric I have to make a "perfect" version that I could just hold on to for any future outings (though tbh I don't suspect I'll use it again, but hey! more practice!)), but it looked quite good even from relatively up close and the group altogether looked amazinggggg!!! It was a really fun night, and a night of a few firsts: first successfully completed shot (in multiple swallows and it was mixed sure but that's better than the last time), first fully completed beer (yes, yes I know alcohol isn't consumed for the taste), first cocktail that I actually enjoyed, and first bar crawl! It feels mildly pathetic at my "big" age, but, hey, so it goes. We got lots of recognition throughout the night as a group which was fun, it was just COLD.

The heels are actually kind of amazing btw. A lovely shade, a lovely shape, and I while I think I may look for some inserts for the balls of my feet, I think they may end up being quite comfy. They remind me quite a bit of character shoes which is exactly what I wanted. Excited to wear them for years to come. Wild that my mom also thought they were cute; I expected her to say they looked granny-like, ha.

Today I'm thankful that the bar crawl went well, was fun, would do again. Thankful to have been invited and that they were a really fun group :)

Now to get back on that grind ugghhghghghh

[edit, an hourish later: so much data manipulation. sort by this column, then that one, then another. all for pretty plots. i could be done. but no. i want a 10% bonus on this one. and it'd be so easy if i knew how to manipulate charts in python i feel like. alas. i will learn. one day. but for now, excel.]

[izicodes]

Any good python modules I can learn now that I'm familiar with the basics?

Hiya 💗

Yep, here's a bunch you can import them into your program to play around with!

math: Provides mathematical functions and constants.

random: Enables generation of random numbers, choices, and shuffling.

datetime: Offers classes for working with dates and times.

os: Allows interaction with the operating system, such as file and directory manipulation.

sys: Provides access to system-specific parameters and functions.

json: Enables working with JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) data.

csv: Simplifies reading and writing CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files.

re: Provides regular expression matching operations.

requests: Allows making HTTP requests to interact with web servers.

matplotlib: A popular plotting library for creating visualizations.

numpy: Enables numerical computations and working with arrays.

pandas: Provides data structures and analysis tools for data manipulation.

turtle: Allows creating graphics and simple games using turtle graphics.

time: Offers functions for time-related operations.

argparse: Simplifies creating command-line interfaces with argument parsing.

How to actually import to your program?

Just in case you don't know, or those reading who don't know:

Use the 'import' keyword, preferably at the top of the page, and the name of the module you want to import. OPTIONAL: you could add 'as [shortname you want to name it in your program]' at the end to use the shortname instead of the whole module name

Hope this helps, good luck with your Python programming! 🙌🏾

[juliebowie]

Learning About Different Types of Functions in R Programming

Summary: Learn about the different types of functions in R programming, including built-in, user-defined, anonymous, recursive, S3, S4 methods, and higher-order functions. Understand their roles and best practices for efficient coding.

Introduction

Functions in R programming are fundamental building blocks that streamline code and enhance efficiency. They allow you to encapsulate code into reusable chunks, making your scripts more organised and manageable. 

Understanding the various types of functions in R programming is crucial for leveraging their full potential, whether you're using built-in, user-defined, or advanced methods like recursive or higher-order functions. 

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these different types, their uses, and best practices for implementing them effectively. By the end, you'll have a solid grasp of how to utilise these functions to optimise your R programming projects.

What is a Function in R?

In R programming, a function is a reusable block of code designed to perform a specific task. Functions help organise and modularise code, making it more efficient and easier to manage. 

By encapsulating a sequence of operations into a function, you can avoid redundancy, improve readability, and facilitate code maintenance. Functions take inputs, process them, and return outputs, allowing for complex operations to be performed with a simple call.

Basic Structure of a Function in R

The basic structure of a function in R includes several key components:

Function Name: A unique identifier for the function.

Parameters: Variables listed in the function definition that act as placeholders for the values (arguments) the function will receive.

Body: The block of code that executes when the function is called. It contains the operations and logic to process the inputs.

Return Statement: Specifies the output value of the function. If omitted, R returns the result of the last evaluated expression by default.

Here's the general syntax for defining a function in R:

Syntax and Example of a Simple Function

Consider a simple function that calculates the square of a number. This function takes one argument, processes it, and returns the squared value.

In this example:

square_number is the function name.

x is the parameter, representing the input value.

The body of the function calculates x^2 and stores it in the variable result.

The return(result) statement provides the output of the function.

You can call this function with an argument, like so:

This function is a simple yet effective example of how you can leverage functions in R to perform specific tasks efficiently.

Must Read: R Programming vs. Python: A Comparison for Data Science.

Types of Functions in R

In R programming, functions are essential building blocks that allow users to perform operations efficiently and effectively. Understanding the various types of functions available in R helps in leveraging the full power of the language. 

This section explores different types of functions in R, including built-in functions, user-defined functions, anonymous functions, recursive functions, S3 and S4 methods, and higher-order functions.

Built-in Functions

R provides a rich set of built-in functions that cater to a wide range of tasks. These functions are pre-defined and come with R, eliminating the need for users to write code for common operations. 

Examples include mathematical functions like mean(), median(), and sum(), which perform statistical calculations. For instance, mean(x) calculates the average of numeric values in vector x, while sum(x) returns the total sum of the elements in x.

These functions are highly optimised and offer a quick way to perform standard operations. Users can rely on built-in functions for tasks such as data manipulation, statistical analysis, and basic operations without having to reinvent the wheel. The extensive library of built-in functions streamlines coding and enhances productivity.

User-Defined Functions

User-defined functions are custom functions created by users to address specific needs that built-in functions may not cover. Creating user-defined functions allows for flexibility and reusability in code. To define a function, use the function() keyword. The syntax for creating a user-defined function is as follows:

In this example, my_function takes two arguments, arg1 and arg2, adds them, and returns the result. User-defined functions are particularly useful for encapsulating repetitive tasks or complex operations that require custom logic. They help in making code modular, easier to maintain, and more readable.

Anonymous Functions

Anonymous functions, also known as lambda functions, are functions without a name. They are often used for short, throwaway tasks where defining a full function might be unnecessary. In R, anonymous functions are created using the function() keyword without assigning them to a variable. Here is an example:

In this example, sapply() applies the anonymous function function(x) x^2 to each element in the vector 1:5. The result is a vector containing the squares of the numbers from 1 to 5. 

Anonymous functions are useful for concise operations and can be utilised in functions like apply(), lapply(), and sapply() where temporary, one-off computations are needed.

Recursive Functions

Recursive functions are functions that call themselves in order to solve a problem. They are particularly useful for tasks that can be divided into smaller, similar sub-tasks. For example, calculating the factorial of a number can be accomplished using recursion. The following code demonstrates a recursive function for computing factorial:

Here, the factorial() function calls itself with n - 1 until it reaches the base case where n equals 1. Recursive functions can simplify complex problems but may also lead to performance issues if not implemented carefully. They require a clear base case to prevent infinite recursion and potential stack overflow errors.

S3 and S4 Methods

R supports object-oriented programming through the S3 and S4 systems, each offering different approaches to object-oriented design.

S3 Methods: S3 is a more informal and flexible system. Functions in S3 are used to define methods for different classes of objects. For instance:

In this example, print.my_class is a method that prints a custom message for objects of class my_class. S3 methods provide a simple way to extend functionality for different object types.

S4 Methods: S4 is a more formal and rigorous system with strict class definitions and method dispatch. It allows for detailed control over method behaviors. For example:

Here, setClass() defines a class with a numeric slot, and setMethod() defines a method for displaying objects of this class. S4 methods offer enhanced functionality and robustness, making them suitable for complex applications requiring precise object-oriented programming.

Higher-Order Functions

Higher-order functions are functions that take other functions as arguments or return functions as results. These functions enable functional programming techniques and can lead to concise and expressive code. Examples include apply(), lapply(), and sapply().

apply(): Used to apply a function to the rows or columns of a matrix.

lapply(): Applies a function to each element of a list and returns a list.

sapply(): Similar to lapply(), but returns a simplified result.

Higher-order functions enhance code readability and efficiency by abstracting repetitive tasks and leveraging functional programming paradigms.

Best Practices for Writing Functions in R

Writing efficient and readable functions in R is crucial for maintaining clean and effective code. By following best practices, you can ensure that your functions are not only functional but also easy to understand and maintain. Here are some key tips and common pitfalls to avoid.

Tips for Writing Efficient and Readable Functions

Keep Functions Focused: Design functions to perform a single task or operation. This makes your code more modular and easier to test. For example, instead of creating a function that processes data and generates a report, split it into separate functions for processing and reporting.

Use Descriptive Names: Choose function names that clearly indicate their purpose. For instance, use calculate_mean() rather than calc() to convey the function’s role more explicitly.

Avoid Hardcoding Values: Use parameters instead of hardcoded values within functions. This makes your functions more flexible and reusable. For example, instead of using a fixed threshold value within a function, pass it as a parameter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcomplicating Functions: Avoid writing overly complex functions. If a function becomes too long or convoluted, break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Complex functions can be harder to debug and understand.

Neglecting Error Handling: Failing to include error handling can lead to unexpected issues during function execution. Implement checks to handle invalid inputs or edge cases gracefully.

Ignoring Code Consistency: Consistency in coding style helps maintain readability. Follow a consistent format for indentation, naming conventions, and comment style.

Best Practices for Function Documentation

Document Function Purpose: Clearly describe what each function does, its parameters, and its return values. Use comments and documentation strings to provide context and usage examples.

Specify Parameter Types: Indicate the expected data types for each parameter. This helps users understand how to call the function correctly and prevents type-related errors.

Update Documentation Regularly: Keep function documentation up-to-date with any changes made to the function’s logic or parameters. Accurate documentation enhances the usability of your code.

By adhering to these practices, you’ll improve the quality and usability of your R functions, making your codebase more reliable and easier to maintain.

Read Blogs: 

Pattern Programming in Python: A Beginner’s Guide.

Understanding the Functional Programming Paradigm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of functions in R programming? 

In R programming, the main types of functions include built-in functions, user-defined functions, anonymous functions, recursive functions, S3 methods, S4 methods, and higher-order functions. Each serves a specific purpose, from performing basic tasks to handling complex operations.

How do user-defined functions differ from built-in functions in R? 

User-defined functions are custom functions created by users to address specific needs, whereas built-in functions come pre-defined with R and handle common tasks. User-defined functions offer flexibility, while built-in functions provide efficiency and convenience for standard operations.

What is a recursive function in R programming?

A recursive function in R calls itself to solve a problem by breaking it down into smaller, similar sub-tasks. It's useful for problems like calculating factorials but requires careful implementation to avoid infinite recursion and performance issues.

Conclusion

Understanding the types of functions in R programming is crucial for optimising your code. From built-in functions that simplify tasks to user-defined functions that offer customisation, each type plays a unique role. 

Mastering recursive, anonymous, and higher-order functions further enhances your programming capabilities. Implementing best practices ensures efficient and maintainable code, leveraging R’s full potential for data analysis and complex problem-solving.