Using Python as a math shell [Jaeyoung Wiki]

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====== Using Python as a math shell ======

Python can be used as a MATLAB-like shell for math and stuff.

The following components are needed (in order of decreasing importance):

  * IPython
  * NumPy
  * Matplotlib
  * SciPy
  * SymPy

IPython makes the Python shell behave more like tools such as MATLAB.

===== Creating IPython profile for math =====

We need to set up an IPython profile that automatically imports the aforementioned math-related libraries.

First, create a new IPython profile:

<code>
$ ipython profile create math
</code>

Then, add a startup script to this profile. Create a Python file in the startup directory, which is found at ''~/.ipython/profile_math/startup'' In this file, import all the necessary math libraries. Here's an example:

<code python 0-init.py>
import numpy as np
import scipy
import sympy
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
</code>

===== Running profile =====

To run this profile, run the following command:

<code>
ipython --profile=math
</code>

==== Create bash alias ====

In order to not have to run that command every time, you can create a bash alias. Add this line to ''~/.bashrc'':

<code bash>
alias matpy-shell="ipython --profile=math"
</code>