2025 B\(^2\)TER: B2SLab Basic Tools for Everyday Research

This is the annual b2s crash course for everyday basic tools

Here’s a proposed course programme distributed in a logical progression that builds on foundational topics and gradually introduces more complex concepts.

I’ve balanced the hours across days and topics while ensuring hands-on time.

📅 May 5 (3 hours)

• 🕙 10h–13h

Module 1: Introduction to Linux and Shell Tools

Overview of Linux systems

• Linux distributions, package managers, file systems
  
• Users, permissions, processes

The Shell & Bash scripting basics

• Navigation, file manipulation, redirection, pipes
  
• Writing and executing shell scripts

Essential tools

• grep, awk, sed, find, xargs, ssh, cron, tmux/screen/byobu.
• Command chaining and automation basics
• Deployging a LAMB stack
• docker

Hands-on exercises:

• Writing basic scripts
  
• Automating small tasks
  
• Using command-line tools to process text and files

📅 May 6 (3 hours)

• 🕙 10h–13h

Module 2: Introduction to R and Tidyverse

Intro to R syntax & environment

• Objects, vectors, data frames
  
• Functions and packages

Working with the Tidyverse

• dplyr, ggplot2, readr, tidyr
  
• Data wrangling and visualization

Hands-on exercises:

• Cleaning and visualizing a dataset
  
• Filtering, grouping, summarizing data

📅 May 8 (3 hours)

• 🕙 10h–13h

Module 3: Linear Models in R

Introduction to statistical modeling in R

• Linear regression fundamentals
  
• lm() function and interpreting output
• qualitative and quantitative variables
• interaction factors
• logistic and beyond

Model diagnostics and assumptions

• Residual analysis, multicollinearity

Hands-on exercises:

• Fitting and visualizing linear models with real data
  
• Using broom and ggplot2 to interpret models

📅 May 9 (3 hours)

• 🕙 10h–13h

Module 4: Introduction to Python for Tool Development

Python refresher & deeper concepts

• Functions, generators, decorators
• Organizing code with modules and packages
• Building command-line tools with Typer
• Creating APIs with FastAPI
• Interactive visualizations with ipywidgets
• Hands-on exercises
  • Write a CLI with Typer
  • Build a minimal API with FastAPI
  • Create a small dashboard with ipywidgets

Registration

• Write Alex ;)