The OML Center and PAGASA, in cooperation with Chikka Philippines, organized a basic training on Python Programming Language on 16-18 October at the Amihan Conference Room in PAGASA. The ultimate goal of this training was for the participants to be able to use Python in data analysis for Climate Modelling, Severe Wind Analysis and Tropical Cyclone Risk Modeling, and GIS mapping, among others. Twenty-six (26) OML Center and PAGASA staff participated in the training.

Using a combination of lectures and hands-on exercise, the three-day training covered the basics of Python. Mr. Rodolfo Duldulao, Chikka Philippines’ Technical Training Analyst, was the sole resource person for the entire training.  The participants were given the chance to learn the basic structure of the Python language including Python’s data types and control flow constructs, describe and work with nested data types and exception handling and understand the basics of modules and object oriented programming.

Python is a remarkably powerful and dynamic programming language that is used in a wide variety of applications. The OML Center and PAGASA team is expected to use Python to process text, work with complex data types, handle exceptions, and apply in data analysis and mapping.

The training was conducted under the auspices of the Climate Change Projections Project of the OML Center and PAGASA.