Problem 4: Libraries

Quick refresher

In Python, libraries are collections of pre-written code that provide a set of functionalities to help developers perform common tasks without needing to write every piece of code from scratch. Libraries can include modules, packages, and frameworks that simplify coding by offering tools and features for specific tasks or applications. Using libraries, we can enhance productivity, ensure code reusability, and promote efficient development practices.

Popular libraries in Python

While the list of libraries available for Python is extensive and cannot be discussed here, here is a list of some of the most popular and frequently used Python libraries as examples:

1. NumPy: This is a foundational package for numerical computing in Python. It supports large, multidimensional arrays and matrices and various mathematical functions to operate on them. Due to its performance and ease of use, it’s widely used in scientific computing, data analysis, and machine learning.

2. Pandas: This is a data manipulation and analysis library that provides data structures like Series (1D) and DataFrame (2D), allowing for easy handling of structured data. Its ability to perform complex data analysis tasks, such as filtering, aggregating, and pivoting, makes it invaluable for data scientists and analysts.

3. Matplotlib: This is a plotting library that enables the creation of static, animated, and interactive visualizations in Python. It’s widely used for data visualization, allowing developers to produce various graphs and charts.

4. Scikit-learn: This library is designed specifically for machine learning tasks. It provides simple and efficient data mining and analysis tools and includes a variety of supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, making it a go-to library for machine learning.

In this lesson, we’ll learn how to use AI to help us choose the right Python libraries for a given problem.

Project: Covid-19 data analysis

As the world faced an unprecedented pandemic, the United States became a focal point of the COVID-19 crisis. With millions affected, the healthcare system stretched to its limits, transforming everyday life dramatically.