6  Markdown

Markdown is a lightweight markup language with plain-text formatting syntax that is designed to be converted to HTML. It’s widely used due to its simplicity and versatility, making it ideal for documentation, reports, and noting down research.

In data science, Markdown finds extensive use not only for documenting projects but also for preparing dynamic reports that seamlessly integrate narrative text with the results of data analyses, often facilitated through tools like Jupyter Notebooks.

6.1 Setup

To get started, first, create a new Jupyter Notebook. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can refer to this guide on navigating Jupyter Notebook. Name your notebook hello-markdown.ipynb and save it in the code folder:

  1. Navigate to “File > Save As…” and enter the notebook name.
  2. Add a new cell by clicking the “+” button.
  3. Change the cell type to “Markdown” using the dropdown menu at the toolbar.

You can write your markdown in a cell designated for code and then convert it to a Markdown cell via the dropdown menu. Execute the cell using Shift+Enter to render the Markdown text. Remember to save your progress frequently.

6.2 Basic Markdown Syntax

6.2.1 Headers

Headers structure the document and create a hierarchy of sections.

# Main Header (H1)
## Subheader (H2)
### Smaller Subheader (H3)

6.2.2 Lists

Lists organize information in a clear, concise manner.

  • Ordered Lists:

    1. First item
2. Second item

  • Unordered Lists:

    - Bullet A
- Bullet B

6.2.3 Emphasis

Emphasize text to highlight key points.

*Italic*  
**Bold**  
_Italic with underscores_  
__Bold with underscores__

6.2.4 Blockquotes

Use blockquotes to cite sources or important information.

> "This is a blockquote."

6.2.5 Tables

Tables are crucial for organizing data efficiently.

| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|----------|----------|
| Row 1    | Value 1  |

6.2.7 Mathematical Expressions

LaTeX integration allows for the representation of complex mathematical formulas.

Inline Equation:

$E = mc^2$
  • Block Equation:
$$
\frac{a}{b} + \sqrt{x}
$$

6.2.8 Horizontal Lines

Use horizontal lines to separate sections visually.

---

6.2.9 Code Blocks

Showcase code snippets with syntax highlighting.

```python
def greet(name):
    return f"Hello, {name}!"
```

6.3 Further Learning

Explore these resources to further your understanding and mastery of Markdown: