Python Programming for Biology: Bioinformatics and Beyond

(computing):

Boolean value

(computing):

Call (computing):

Callback (computing):

Camel case (computing):

Cardinality (computing):

Central limit theorem

(mathematics):

Centroid (mathematics):

C extension

(computing):

clauses, loops and functions: for example an if statement

conditionally executes a block of code.

A generic form of program code that needs to be written time

and again, generally performing a mundane task.

A value representing whether something is logically true or

logically false. In Python there are special True and False

computer objects to represent these two truth values.

The occasion of executing a general function (running a

subroutine) with specific data.

A function that is executed in response to the actions of the user,

typically interacting via a graphical interface.

The use of mixed capitalisation within a conjoined word. Used

in programming to join separate words into a single variable

name, e.g. rootMeanSquare: an alternative to concatenating with

underscores, e.g. root_mean_square.

In data modelling, the number of items that is represented by an

object attribute. An attribute may represent a collection, and

thus the cardinality is the size of that collection. For example an

Atom object may have three values in its coordinates attribute,

to specify its 3D (x, y, z) position.

A theorem that says that the mean value of a large number of

measurements of independent and identically distributed

random variables is approximately normal (follows a Gaussian

distribution).

The geometric centre of a shape (defined by a set of locations).

If weightings are included, such as atomic masses in a molecule,

the centroid may be the centre of mass.

The means of extending the functionality of a high-level

programming language, like Python, by creating a module in the

low-level C programming language (generally quicker to run)

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Changeable

(computing):

Channels (graphics):

Channels (signal

processing):

Character (computing):

Chemical character

(biochemistry):

Chromosome (biology):

Chromatin (molecular

biology):

Class (computing):

Class function

(computing):

which can be incorporated directly in the high-level language

using normal syntax.

The ability to manipulate a data item so that its value or content

changes internally, but leaving the handle (reference) to the data

item unaffected.

The separate components of an image, e.g. red, green and blue,

which when combined form a complete image.

The separate signal streams of a composite data source.

The smallest, indivisible part of a piece of text that represents

letters, digits and punctuation etc. Computationally each

character is represented by a number within a specific scheme.

When referring to biological molecules, its physical and

chemical properties, e.g. whether it is hydrophobic (oily), polar,

charged etc.

A large, double-stranded DNA chain that is the particle of

inheritance in organisms. A chromosome is bound by proteins

and contains genes (sub-regions of DNA) that encode the

biological functions required for life. Each species has a distinct

number of chromosomes within its cells, and the total of all

chromosomes constitutes the genome.

A section of DNA which is bound by proteins such as histones

that package it into a more compact form and regulate its

expression, i.e. how it is read.

The abstract template that specifies how a specific kind of

computer object is constructed. Classes are used to create

custom data structures in programs, which frees the programmer

from having to only use the inbuilt data types.

In object-oriented programming, a function in a class that can be

defined independently of the properties of any object

constructed with the class.

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Client (computing):

Clustering