CPython is a scripting platform for efficient problem solving and automation of data analysis, especially in technical  and scientific domains.  It consists of the easy-to-learn, high-level, multi-purpose Python language and a run-time environment for graphics, debugging, access to system and network functions, and running script files.  Python is a high-level programming language that promises rapid development and a low barrier to entry for non-programmers. The Inference CPython Plug-In enables the Python scripting language to be executed from within Inference Word by hosting the Python language runtime and collecting the output and graphics for sending to multiple destinations including Microsoft Word documents.

 

The CPython scripting platform is widely used by technical professionals for web and internet development, database-driven solutions, scientific and numeric computing, education, and as a support language for software developers.  The CPython scripting platform is an open source project and is freely available under the GNU General Public License from the Python Software Foundation.  CPython is the default, most-widely used implementation of the Python programming language. Python is a dynamic object-oriented programming language that can be used for many kinds of software development. It offers strong support for integration with other languages and tools, comes with extensive standard libraries, and can be learned in a few days. Many Python programmers report substantial productivity gains and feel the language encourages the development of higher quality, and more readable and maintainable code.

 

The CPython scripting platform is highly extensible through the use of modules, which are user-submitted libraries or packages for specialized methods, specific areas of application, or comprehensive graphic techniques.  There are hundreds of free modules available for download. Representative modules useful in the assembly of Inference micro-solutions include the following:

 

PyWin32	Python extensions for Windows
Matplotlib	Production quality plotting output in a wide range of formats
SciPy	Scientific tools for Python including modules for linear algegra, optimization, integration, plotting, special functions, signal and image processing
NuPy	Numeric Python adds fast, compact, multidimensional array facility
Biopython	A set of modules for biology, including sequence analysis, database access, etc.
PyACTS	A collection of Python modules useful in parallel computing
PIL	Python Imaging Library provides powerful image processing and graphics capabilities
VTK	A set of modules for 3D computer graphics