Between computer science, teaching and music
I was born in Saarlouis in 1957 and studied computer science at Saarland University, graduating with a Diplom in Computer Science in 1988. For many years I worked as a software developer in industry. Since 2007, my professional focus has been on teaching, training and knowledge transfer; since 2009, Python has been a particular focus of my work.
To me, computer science, mathematics, language, music and critical thinking are not separate worlds. In all of them, the challenge is to recognize structures, make connections understandable and turn ideas into something of one’s own.
Python, teaching and international courses
Since 2008 I have run the learning platforms python-course.eu and python-kurs.eu. The English and German platforms grew out of my desire to teach programming thoroughly, clearly and without unnecessary barriers. Over the years they have reached an international audience; according to my own traffic figures at the time, python-course.eu alone had already attracted more than six million visitors worldwide several years ago.
As founder of Bodenseo, I teach courses for companies, universities, research institutions and public-sector organizations. My courses have taken me to numerous European countries and beyond. Topics range from Python fundamentals to object-oriented and functional programming, NumPy, Pandas, data analysis and machine learning.
Books
Writing is an important part of my work. Several of my books have been published by Carl Hanser Verlag, including:
- Einführung in Python 3
- Python-Grundlagen | eLearning
- Numerisches Python: Arbeiten mit NumPy, Matplotlib und Pandas
- Funktionale Programmierung mit Python, co-authored with Philip Klein
My books are closely connected to my teaching practice. Many examples, explanations and questions grow out of classroom experience and feedback from learners.
Music and composition
Music has accompanied me since childhood. Starting with the piano, I gradually expanded my range of instruments: keyboards, guitar, bass, flute, and tenor, alto and soprano saxophone all form part of my musical work.
As a composer and multi-instrumentalist, I write, arrange and perform original music spanning contemporary classical music, jazz, experimental fusion and cinematic, atmospheric sound worlds. Acoustic instruments, improvisation, orchestral thinking and electronic textures meet in my work. On my YouTube channel KleinTones, many pieces are combined with independent visual concepts.
Singen, Hohentwiel and Lake Constance
I live in Singen (Hohentwiel), near Lake Constance. That is also where the name of this website comes from. Klein-Singen.de is my personal kaleidoscope: a place for computer science, mathematics and statistics, open source and software patents, language and culture, music, society and critical thinking.
Why this website?
Many texts on Klein-Singen.de have a long history. Some date back to the early years of the web, while others are new. I want to preserve older ideas and documents without pretending that every historical statement is still current. The new site therefore combines a contemporary structure with a visible historical archive.