Python and Big Data in Economics

This course is a hands-on introduction to Python and big data, with a focus on applications in economics. The site is bilingual — use the language switcher in the top bar to read in English or 中文.

How to use this site

Use the navigation menu on the left to move through the chapters. Most code on the pages is live — press Run to execute it in your browser, edit it, and run again. Use the search box (top right) to jump to any topic.

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Course Contents

Chapter 1 — Python Basics

• 1.1 Objects and Types
• 1.2 Collections
• 1.3 Control Flow
• 1.4 Iterables and Iterators

Chapter 2 — Functions

• 2.1 Defining Functions
• 2.2 Namespaces and Scope
• 2.3 First-Class Objects
• 2.4 Use Cases
• 2.5 Loose Ends and Style

Chapter 3 — NumPy & pandas

• 3.1 NumPy

Exercises

• Chapter 1 — Python Basics
• Chapter 2 — Functions

Appendix — Your Own Machine

Everything above runs in your browser. The appendix is where you set up a Python of your own, ready for when you need it.

• A1 Setting Up Your Python Environment
• A2 The Command Line and Paths

More chapters are being rewritten and will appear here as they are ready.

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Tools

• 🎙️ Live Lecture Translator (English → 中文) — real-time captions for English lectures, running entirely in your browser. Open it on the teaching computer, click Start, and project the Chinese captions.

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