Python Programming for Biology: Bioinformatics and Beyond

(mathematics):

Feature vector

(mathematics):

Feed-forward neural

network (computing):

File handle (computing):

File pointer

(computing):

Filter (graphics):

Filter (signal

processing):

Fisher’s linear

discriminant

(mathematics):

Float (computing):

more closely related members generally having more in

common.

An independent property or axis that is used to describe an item

of data, e.g. hue saturation and value can describe colours.

The range of possible values that the independent features of a

data item may take. A given item of data will effectively have a

position within this space.

The location vector that describes the position of a data item

within a feature space, in terms of its coordinates on

independent feature axes.

A type of artificial neural network (a machine learning method)

where nodes are arranged in distinct layers, from input to

output, and the network operates for recall or prediction by

passing signals from one layer to the next.

A computational object that represents a stream of external data

so that it can be accessed within a program. This data stream

often corresponds to the contents of a file as it is stored on disk

and typically involves accessing the data line by line.

A synonym for file handle.

A pixel transformation that is applied to an image to change

particular features. For example filters can be used to change

colours, blur images or detect edges.

A method for modifying a signal: for example to suppress

undesired frequencies.

A method to separate two or more classes of data by calculating

a linear combination of their features (an axis of projection) that

best separates the data.

A colloquial term for floating point number.

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Floating point number

(computing):

Floating point error

(computing):

Floor division

(computing):

Fold (biochemistry):

Force field (computing):

Foreign key

(computing):

Format (computing):

Fourier transform

(mathematics):

A data type that is used to represent real (non-integer) numbers

such as decimals. The value is represented in terms of a fixed

number of digits and an exponent that scales the value, e.g. to a

given power of ten. Such numbers are of limited precision but

cover a very large range of values.

A kind of numeric error that occurs with digital computers,

because they cannot represent all fractional and decimal values

precisely. This results in a small error in the least significant

digit. This error may become significant under some

circumstances, e.g. when looking at very small differences

between values.

When dividing one number by another, rounding the result

down to the previous integer; the largest integer less than or

equal to the actual real value of the division. Denoted in Python

by //.

The general three-dimensional arrangement of a biological

molecule, especially a protein. In proteins folds are usually

described in terms of the composition and relative orientation of

secondary-structure elements, such as coiled alpha-helices and

extended beta-strands.

A computational model of a physical system constructed by

specifying the equations that describe the relative energy or

force between items (the spatial gradient of energy). An

example is a molecular force field, describing the motions and

interactions between atoms, which simulates molecular folding

and dynamics.

In databases, a column or group of columns in one table that

uniquely identifies a row in another table.

The way that computational information is arranged when

stored, i.e. using a regular or organised scheme so that the

meaning of each part of the data is understood.

A method for converting data in a time series to the equivalent

in frequencies.

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Frozen (computing):

Function (computing):

Functional

approximation