Mastering Python for Bioinformatics: How to Write Flexible, Documented, Tested Python Code for Research Computing

Life scientists today urgently need training in bioinformatics skills. Too many bioinformatics programs are poorly written and barely maintained--usually by students and researchers who've never learned basic programming skills. This practical guide shows postdoc bioinformatics professionals and students how to exploit the best parts of Python to solve problems in biology while creating documented, tested, reproducible software.

Ken Youens-Clark, author of Tiny Python Projects (Manning), demonstrates not only how to write effective Python code but also how to use tests to write and refactor scientific programs. You'll learn the latest Python features and tools - including linters, formatters, type checkers, and tests - to create documented and tested programs. You'll also tackle 14 challenges in Rosalind, a problem-solving platform for learning bioinformatics and programming.

Create command-line Python programs to document and validate parameters

Write tests to verify refactor programs and confirm they're correct

Address bioinformatics ideas using Python data structures and modules such as Biopython

Create reproducible shortcuts and workflows using makefiles

Parse essential bioinformatics file formats such as FASTA and FASTQ

Find patterns of text using regular expressions

Use higher-order functions in Python like filter(), map(), and reduce()