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PyNN: A Python API for Neural Network Modeling

Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience
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Definition

PyNN is an application programming interface (API) for describing and simulating neuronal network models in the Python programming language. Numerical solution of the model equations is performed by a “backend” simulator, which as of PyNN version 0.7 can be any of NEURON (Hines and Carnevale 1997), NEST (Gewaltig and Diesmann 2007), Brian (Goodman and Brette 2008), or PCSIM (Pecevski et al. 2009). Alternatively, the backend can be a neuromorphic hardware system (Bruederle et al. 2009; Galluppi et al. 2010). PyNN thus provides a simulator-independent method for describing spiking neuronal network models. Data generated by the backend simulator is reformatted by PyNN into a standard format, and thus PyNN can also be used as a base platform on which to build simulator-independent data analysis and visualization tools.

Detailed Description

The PyNN API allows the construction and simulation of neuronal network models in a simulator-independent way, i.e., the same Python script...

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References

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Further Reading

  • Davison AP, Brüderle D, Eppler JM, Kremkow J, Muller E, Pecevski DA, Perrinet L, Yger P (2009) PyNN: a common interface for neuronal network simulators. Front Neuroinformatics 2:11

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

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Correspondence to Andrew Davison .

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© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Davison, A. (2013). PyNN: A Python API for Neural Network Modeling. In: Jaeger, D., Jung, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_261-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_261-4

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    PyNN: A Python API for Neural Network Modeling
    Published:
    09 May 2014

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_261-5

  2. Original

    PyNN: A Python API for Neural Network Modeling
    Published:
    13 February 2014

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_261-4