Bioinformatics Programming Using Python: Practical Programming for Biological Data

by Mitchell L. Model

Powerful, flexible, and easy to use, Python is an ideal language for building software tools and applications for life science research and development. This unique book shows you how to program with Python, using code examples taken directly from bioinformatics. In a short time, you'll be using sophisticated techniques and Python modules that are particularly effective for bioinformatics programming. Bioinformatics Programming Using Python is perfect for anyone involved with bioinformatics -- researchers, support staff, students, and software developers interested in writing bioinformatics applications. You'll find it useful whether you already use Python, write code in another language, or have no programming experience at all. It's an excellent self-instruction tool, as well as a handy reference when facing the challenges of real-life programming tasks.

Genres: Reference, Textbooks, Computers, Programming, Nonfiction

521 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad overview of python for bioinformatic applications. Later chapters have some nice specific python modules/libraries.

Many of the functions used as examples call functions or use data from earlier in the book which makes it hard to follow along when you've taken a couple days off from reading it -- often it's difficult to remember if a bit of code is some built-in method or something that was written a chapter back.

[Erwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really for beginners (more examples needed and not just verbal descriptions), but I like the way it explains using comprehension before using loops (I wish I knew about comprehension before loops!).

[Paul]

Learned a lot.

[S James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm, well it has some information. The programming is merged with some basic biology information useful in bioinformatics like DNA, RNA and the like. I've been programming for 20 years and can say the book isn't geared for programmers, not practical for beginnings either. Most of what's in the book could be learned from stack exchange or youtube. If it's at your local library, you could glace through it.