Data Input and Output

In nearly all scientific computing and data analysis applications, there is a need for data input and output. This includes loading datasets and persistently storing results to files on disk or databases. Getting data in and out of programs is a critical step in the computational workflow. There are many standardized formats for storing structured and unstructured data. The benefits of using standardized formats are obvious: You can use existing libraries for reading and writing data, saving time and effort. In the course of working with scientific and technical computing, it is likely that you will face a variety of data formats through interaction with colleagues and peers or when acquiring data from sources such as equipment and databases. As a computational practitioner, it is essential to handle data efficiently and seamlessly, regardless of its format. This motivates why this entire chapter is devoted to data input and output.