Stanford ~ Programming in Journalism

Sundry notes and code bits for Stanford's Programming in Journalism class (winter quarter 2020).

Important links

• Syllabus
• Assignments
• Bookshelf - recommended books, tutorials, cheatsheets, etc.
• Code solutions - A private repo containing solutions to class exercises.
• Datakit - overview and details on install and usage
• Getting Help - Resources and strategies for finding help.
• Glossary - technical terms used in class
• Python - overview, tutorials, etc.
• Technical setup and FAQ - recommended and required software (all free)
• Workflow advice - working on the command line, etc.

Class notes

Week 1

Day 1 - Course Intro

• Overview of the course and syllabus.
• Discuss the history of code and data analysis in journalism.
• Dip our toes into Bash.
• Software install party (w00t!!)
• Assignment 0 - Tech setup; Unix practice and reading (Due: Mon. Jan 13th)

Day 2 - The Owl, Problem Solving, and the Unix Workbench

• The Owl, Problem Solving, and the Unix Workbench
• Group problem-solving exercise: Program your way to the Oval
• Hands-on bash practice with CLI murder mystery and bashcrawl
• Software installs, part deux (ssh keys and Python)
• Assignment 0 - Tech setup; Unix practice and reading (Due: Mon. Jan 13th)

Week 2

Day 3 - Power Tools for Data Wrangling

• Power Tools for Data Wrangling

Day 4 - Power Tools cont.'d and Intro to DataKit

• Bash drill
• Wrap up csvkit exercise from Power Tools for Data Wrangling
• Automating workflows and DataKit install
• Assignment 1 - Python ramp-up and Failed Banks shell script (Due: Wed. Jan. 22nd)

Week 3

Day 5 - MLK Day

No class.

Day 6 - Failed Banks and Python

• Workflow Advice - In particular, working in the shell and with a code editor.
• Getting Help - How to ask G.O.O.D. questions and other advice/resources on getting help when programming.
• DataKit overview, including details on virtual environments, the benefits of git/GitHub, and daily workflow with DataKit.
• Submit Assignment 1 using DataKit.
• Assignment 2 - DataKit reading and Python lists and dicts (Due: Mon. Jan. 27th @ 1:30pm)

Week 4

Day 7 - Python intro and practical skills

• Python intro and applying the basics
  • Python overview and coding contexts
  • The (i)Python interactive interpreter: pip install ipython
  • Embracing errors
  • Counting and filtering
  • Reading and writing text files
  • Assignment 3 - Python strings and Awesome Animals coding exercise (Due: Wed. Jan. 29th @ 1:30pm)
  • Review Assignment 1 solutions, assuming everyone has submitted and time allows

Day 8 - Libraries, CSVs and remote files in Python

• Working with libraries - standard library and 3rd-party libraries
• Reading and writing CSVs
• Downloading files
• Assignment 4 - Python functions and failed banks Python script (Due: Mon. Feb. 3rd @ 1:30pm)