What SQL Analysts Need to Know About Python (2016)

Re:What SQL Analysts Need to Know About Python (2016) by bshipp on Monday November 04, 2019 @01:44PM (#21444890)

Even after learning python, pandas, and SQL I still find myself firing up Excel first when exploring a new problem. The interface is incredibly simple for pasting, manipulating, and visualizing data. The warts really only start appearing when you try to build business applications on top of it and shortcomings with data integrity (amongst other issues) begin creeping in.

But as a sketchpad for handling a problem? Excel is pretty hard to beat.

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Re:What SQL Analysts Need to Know About Python (2016) by samvher on Tuesday November 05, 2019 @01:44AM (#21450243)

I also avoid pandas for simple stuff. But rather than using Excel I use dplyr and other R tidyverse packages. I think pandas is a little bit more powerful but I find R much easier to use (easier than Excel when you get used to it).

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Re:What SQL Analysts Need to Know About Python (2016) by avmich on Tuesday November 05, 2019 @12:00AM (#21449761)

> But as a sketchpad for handling a problem? Excel is pretty hard to beat.

I'd recommend trying J. Download here - https://code.jsoftware.com/wiki/System/Installation#Installa... . There is, of course, the famous barrier to entry, but the result, unsurprisingly, is also respectable.

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Re:What SQL Analysts Need to Know About Python (2016) by bshipp on Tuesday November 05, 2019 @08:40AM (#21452240)

Thanks for the recommendation! I've honestly never heard of J and I'll take a look at it.

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Re:What SQL Analysts Need to Know About Python (2016) by avmich on Tuesday November 05, 2019 @07:19PM (#21458454)

To understand what's going on I'd recommend "J for C programmers" (see links on Jsoftware site) and also the mailing list - it could be very helpful.

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