Python for experimentalists

Python For The Lab is a collection of resources to help you start using Python for developing solutions in your lab. From analyzing data collected with your experiments to writing software to control your setup.

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Our Latest Articles

Illustration of Instructions to build the Python for the Lab DAQ.

Instructions to build the Python for the Lab DAQ.

The PFTL DAQ is the ideal companion to follow the book Python for the Lab. Building the device itself is not part of the book because it focuses on Python best practices and not on lower-level electronics. In this article, we will quickly see how to build the device to …

Illustration of Using slots in Python: limit dynamic attribute creation and improve speed

Using slots in Python: limit dynamic attribute creation and improve speed

When we create classes, one of the biggest challenges is understanding how to handle dynamic attribute creation. Slots have the benefit of limiting attribute creation at runtime. In this article, we will explore how slots work, including a quick overview of how classes store attributes internally. Dynamic attribute creation One …

Illustration of Acquiring images from Basler Cameras

Acquiring images from Basler Cameras

Basler offers a wide range of cameras that can be used for microscopy, computer vision, or even as security cameras. One of the cameras' advantages is that they come with a software development kit that makes them easy to integrate into our projects. Basler puts continuous effort into maintaining PyPylon …

Illustration of Singletons: Instantiate objects only once

Singletons: Instantiate objects only once

When developing more extensive programs, being aware of different patterns can significantly help us solve problems even before they arise. One of those patterns is the creation of singletons, which are nothing else but objects that can be instantiated only once. In Python, we are exposed to singletons since the …

Illustration of Differences of Multiprocessing on Windows and Linux

Differences of Multiprocessing on Windows and Linux

Multiprocessing is an excellent package if you ever want to speed up your code without leaving Python. When I started working with multiprocessing, I was unaware of the differences between Windows and Linux, which set me back several weeks of development time on a relatively big project. Let's quickly see …

Illustration of Python Tip: Using Else with Loops

Python Tip: Using Else with Loops

Most likely, you are aware of how to use the else statement with an if clause. However, Python also allows us to use them with loops. They are straightforward to understand and open some exciting possibilities. Before continuing, remember that else in this context should be called no-break. Let's quickly …

Illustration of Python Tip: Ready to Publish Matplotlib Figures

Python Tip: Ready to Publish Matplotlib Figures

Saving figures for publications, presentations, books, or websites can be a cumbersome task but doesn't need to be. In this Python Tip, we will see how to create images using Matplotlib that are ready to be embedded. We will take care of the most important aspects: shape, font sizes, and …

Illustration of Data Descriptors: Bringing Attributes to the Next level

Data Descriptors: Bringing Attributes to the Next level

Descriptors in Python allow us to control how attributes of classes are accessed or modified. A pattern often encountered is defining properties to use setter and getter methods encapsulated as if they were a single attribute. In this article, we will dig into how the property decorator works, to understand …

Illustration of Python Tips: Using Sets

Python Tips: Using Sets

Most people are familiar with lists, tuples, and dictionaries as the basic data types for grouping information. However, there is another convenient option: sets. They are directly linked to the mathematical idea of a set. To define them, we can use the following syntax: var = {1, 2, 3, 4} We …