In this series, ‘Spreadsheets to Python,’ I explore the many joys and benefits of Python data analysis and encourage readers to try it themselves. — It’s a great time to be a data analyst. With so much data available for analysis at the click of a button, the opportunities for driving knowledge and having impact are limitless. The technology we use to manage and dissect this data can make the task daunting or delightful.

Using code is more reliable, more reproducible, and more fun — Most people’s introduction to data analysis is using spreadsheets, like Microsoft Excel. Spreadsheets are incredibly powerful and popular but have significant limitations, particularly when it comes to reproducibility, shareability, and processing large datasets. When it’s time to get serious about data analysis, experienced practitioners will tell you to use code…

Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, I have been keeping up to date with how numbers of cases and vaccinations have progressed. Our World In Data, the Guardian, and the UK Government website all have really useful graphics, whilst the government also provides downloadable data. It’s clear that after…

The recent test against New Zealand was one that England fans will want to forget as soon as possible. However, it was memorable for one good reason: Jimmy Anderson played his 162nd test, overtaking Alistair Cook as England’s most capped player. I’m going to take a look at some of…

The UK government is encouraging people to take regular COVID tests even if they show no symptoms. Schoolchildren are already testing themselves twice a week, and it is hoped that regular testing will help to prevent asymptomatic carriers from spreading the disease. However, some people are concerned there will be…

“A wise old ruler wanted to reward his servant for an act of extraordinary bravery. The servant said: ‘Master I ask you for just one thing. Take your chessboard and place on the first square one grain of rice. On the first day I will take this grain home to…

The premise of this week’s blog was simple: see how Liverpool’s Premier League title defence compares to other unsuccessful defences over the 28 years of the league’s existence. The Premier League website has a list of results and tables for every ‘matchweek’ back to the formation of the competition. So…

The UK Covid-19 vaccine roll-out is going well: I am increasingly optimistic about when 42 year olds with no underlying conditions might get vaccinated. Over the past two months, I have visited some websites that estimate when I can expect to be offered a vaccine; however, as the program appears…

Over the last few years, I have been increasingly interested in how we can get people coding. I don’t mean advanced coding as a discipline in itself, but using coding to help in everyday life, in the same way as we would use a word-processor or a calculator. One of…