Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#1

Post by vj44 » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 7:42 PM UTC

Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC
meetup.com

Re: Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#2

Post by pudquick » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 7:55 PM UTC

For those looking at this, just a head's up - this is YC '12 DataNitro (formerly IronSpread) talking about their product.

Also, as a side note since I like python, it's definitely not the only way to do python in Excel. With pyWin32, you can register python code as a COM server and call it from Excel in VB. Additionally there's projects like pyxll which, while not the prettiest, are at least free for non-personal use.

I will say this though - thank you, DataNitro, for having a free tier.

Re: Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#3

Post by harijay » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 8:43 PM UTC

I have been using DataNitro for a while now..and it really makes using Excel a lot more fun knowing there is the power of python behind it

Re: Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#4

Post by maskedinvader » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 9:03 PM UTC

I've attended a talk from one of the co-founders in a python for finance conference, the demos looked really good, only draw back I thought was that if you develop anything using DataNitro, anybody wanting to see the spreadsheet and run your code would need a licensed copy of DataNitro on their machines for it work.

Re: Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#5

Post by coherentpony » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 9:27 PM UTC

Excel? Is this serious?

Edit: Reasons for downvotes, please? I have said nothing nonconstructive. I am seriously baffled as to why techies are still using Excel rather than an actual database.

Re: Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#6

Post by HCIdivision17 » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 9:43 PM UTC

coherentpony wrote: post #5

Excel? Is this serious? Edit: Reasons for downvotes, please? I have said nothing nonconstructive. I am seriously baffled as to why techies are still using Excel rather than an actual database.

Absolutely! Excel is ubiquitous, and is general purpose enough it can do essentially anything. Adding python to the power if an instant feedback and interactive data grid, and you've some serious Get Things Done horsepower for the average joe/tech/eng/manager/sales person.

Re: Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#7

Post by gruseom » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 9:46 PM UTC

coherentpony wrote: post #5

Excel? Is this serious? Edit: Reasons for downvotes, please? I have said nothing nonconstructive. I am seriously baffled as to why techies are still using Excel rather than an actual database.

"Is this serious?" is nonconstructive.

Re: Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#8

Post by HCIdivision17 » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 9:47 PM UTC

coherentpony wrote: post #5

Excel? Is this serious? Edit: Reasons for downvotes, please? I have said nothing nonconstructive. I am seriously baffled as to why techies are still using Excel rather than an actual database.

And to reply to your edit: I hadn't thought of it as a database. The typical use I see is using Excel as a frontend for interacting with the database data.

To be sure, people do use Excel as a DB, but I think it's handier to think of it as an interactive mesh than a DB. Sort of like how pandas with IPython is a great way to interact with and explore data.

... Dang, imagine if you had pandas running with Excel on top. That would probably be pretty cool.

Re: Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#9

Post by coherentpony » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 10:25 PM UTC

gruseom wrote: post #7

coherentpony wrote: post #5

Excel? Is this serious? Edit: Reasons for downvotes, please? I have said nothing nonconstructive. I am seriously baffled as to why techies are still using Excel rather than an actual database.

"Is this serious?" is nonconstructive.

How so? I was genuinely unsure if this was a joke.

Re: Learn to code in Python in Excel tonight in NYC

#10

Post by snake_plissken » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 10:28 PM UTC

coherentpony wrote: post #5

Excel? Is this serious? Edit: Reasons for downvotes, please? I have said nothing nonconstructive. I am seriously baffled as to why techies are still using Excel rather than an actual database.

What do you mean? Excel by it's nature of using rows and columns to store information is a database...