In the world of programming, there’s something known as a “loop”. Loops are great because, with a few simple lines of code, they can command your computer to do a limitless amount of work. They force your computer into a repeating cycle of manual labor that you, the programmer overlord, benefit from. Boy, aren’t loops […]
Learning to Code
Programming the Hokeydex (Intro to Python Variables and Data Types)
The following post is a simple introduction to variables and the sorts of things commonly assigned to them in Python. If you are new to Python and/or programming, I encourage you to run each code block in your own editor as you read (repl.it is great for quickly running a little code). Think up questions […]
Yes, You Should Start Your First Programming Project
Imagine for a moment that learning to code is like climbing a mountain. The start of the climb is very steep, and most people end up falling back down. But a fair number of individuals get past this initial slope. They finish an online course or get half-way through an ebook or just generally mess […]
To Learn Programming, Do Projects You Actually Care About
Data Rebellion is all about getting your programming abilities to the point of usefulness as quickly as possible. And when it comes to learning programming, some paths up the mountain are shorter than others. If you’ve ever watched Anime, think about when characters make their greatest improvements. Sure, training often helps them get stronger and […]
Automate Your Browser: A Guided Selenium Adventure
Prerequisites: Have Python/Anaconda and Selenium installed. See the previous intro to Selenium if you’re not familiar with it. The full code for this post is included at the end. You might find it fun to first run the entire script and watch how it works before jumping in and following along with the post. And […]
Let Your Browser Do the Work for You: Writing Your First Selenium Script
Prerequisites: Have the Selenium Python package working on your machine. See this guide for help. If you ever find yourself doing something repetitive online, there’s probably a Python package that can help you automate the process. One that’s extremely simple to use and flashy to show off to others is called Selenium. Selenium basically allows […]
Escape from the Office (Intro to Python)
Prerequisites: Have some way of coding in Python. If you don’t have Python installed, I’d recommend using Repl.it, a browser-based programming environment that supports Python 3. If you want to take a few minutes to install Python, this quick installation guide may help. Or if you prefer, check out the Anaconda installation guide. When you […]
Joining the Rebellion
Welcome to Data Rebellion! If you’re interested in freeing yourself from boring, mindless, computer-based tasks and leveraging your skills to get a promotion, a new job, or just relax while the computer does the work for you, you’re in the right place. Let’s go over some basics to get you off to the races. First, […]
P-Values and Han Solo (using R and Python)
While exploring the remains of a downed Star Destroyer, Han Solo and Rey are detected by a platoon of storm troopers. This rogue Imperial remnant intends to capture Han and Rey if possible, or terminate them otherwise. Our heroes, cornered in the hangar of the decrepit starship, see the soldiers approaching their position and consider […]