Software for Data & Digital Scholarship

Python is an open source programming language that’s easy to learn and a popular starting point for software developers also working with data.. It integrates well with web applications and has very strong library support for almost all common data science tasks.

If you do not otherwise need to program, especially if you are trying to substitute for SPSS, Stata, or SAS, you will likely find it easier to use R., the statistical programming language.

Consider these questions:

1. Do you actually want to (and need to) learn Python?
   • Choose between R and Python to start. Learn one, and only then learn the other.
2. How comfortable do you feel with your computer and programming concepts?
   • Is installing software simple or nerve-wracking? Have you used the command prompt/terminal?
   • Do you know about functions & arguments, conditional statements, and loops?
3. What pace works best for you? Do you need specified challenges or can you create your own?