Good Coding Practice for Science

Written primarily for mid-to-upper level undergraduates, this primer provides a concise introduction to best practices for coding that everyone who uses code in scientific research should know about. Good Coding Practice for Science introduces the key elements that distinguish well-written computer code, covering style, clarity, technique, and robustness, to support readers in improving their coding skills. In addition to explaining why certain approaches are better than others, this primer also discusses how good code helps with preventing scientific errors, making work reusable, and increasing the reproducibility of research. Key features - Oxford Biology Primers are the only resource to introduce prospective and current students of undergraduate-level bioscience to a range of topics from this dynamic experimental science, enticing readers to study further - Its titles directly support two key transitions in the student journey: from school to undergraduate-level study, and from undergraduate to independent researcher - Its modular format offers a high degree of flexibility, with teachers being able to draw on specific volumes that augment the post-16 curriculum, university lecturers being able to draw on specific volumes at different stages of the undergraduate curriculum, and with materials from the series being available for access in both print and digital formats - Good Coding Practice for Science is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats: the e-book and Science Trove offer a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support. For more information about e-books, please visit www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks

Sanjay Manohar is an Associate Professor in Neuroscience and a Consultant Neurologist at the University of Oxford. He has 38 years of coding experience in C, Java, Python, Bash, MATLAB, Javascript, assembler, and Basic. He is a fellow of the Software Sustainability Institute, an RCUK-funded body that aims to improve software in academia. Sanjay has taught courses in Good Coding Practices for seven years at University College London and Oxford. He is a passionate teacher, an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a Member of the Academy of Medical Educators.