Setting up Environment & Modules

There are many different ways to access python and jupyter this semester, most are equally strong when it comes to developing your code. You’re welcome to use anything which you like best, though I’ve had fewer problems with students using the official python installation (and pip) rather than anaconda (and conda). To be ready for DS2500, be sure that you can:

  • launch a jupyter notebook given an .ipynb file, ensure you can run print('hello')

    • I’d strongly encourage you to setup the double-click .ipynb in file browser to launch Jupyter, shown in the videos below. It’ll save you time in the long run and makes it simple to know that the proper files data files are where they should be to be loaded

  • launch a spyder session and ensure you can run print('hello')

Spend a few minutes with the appropriate video below to either set your machine up or be sure you’re ready to go.

Mac

Windows

Tip

You can install packages from within jupyter by running:

!pip install numpy

from a code cell (replace numpy with another package as needed). The exclamation sends the command to a terminal / command prompt.

If you’re going ahead with Multiple python installations on one computer, you can run into some challenges. Read on if you insist on keeping all the different installations on your machine, otherwise you’re all set :)