Python for AV: Glossary

Learning to use Python is like learning a new language. It takes practice.

Python code is text that a computer interprets as instructions. You can write it with a text editor and run it separately. Or, you can use an integrated tool like Jupyter to write and run it in the same environment.

Python can be used to find, move, survey, and transcode AV files.

Python scripts are plain text files.

Use the Jupyter Notebook for editing and running Python.

The Notebook has Command and Edit modes.

Use the keyboard and mouse to select and edit cells.

The Notebook will turn Markdown into pretty-printed documentation.

Python syntax can be a little tricky, but starting small and building out is a good general strategy

Collecting filepaths is often the first step of any AV script

The import statement allows you to expand Python’s functionality by loading modules with specialized functions

Standard distribution modules are installed with Python. Other modules must be installed

Two common modules for listing files with Python are os and glob

The filepath is the sequence of parent folders that define the location of a particular file or directory

Collecting filepaths is often the first step of any AV script

Transcoding lossy codecs to lossless can yield an increase in size

Start with the shortest piece of code and build up your pieces gradually

Domain specific functions will often require custom tools

Just because you can in Python, doesn’t mean it’s the most convenient

Once you’ve created code you want to use repeatedly, a script is more useful than a Jupyter Notebook

argparse is the Python module for accepting arguments from the command line

try and except blocks can be used to run code that may not work in every situation

Automate your CSV/Excel

Analyze data as you go