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Setup

To participate in the Python Intensive workshop, you will need access to the software described below. In addition, you will need an up-to-date web browser. I recommend Google Chrome.

Once you've installed all of the software below, test your installation by following the instructions at the bottom on this page.

1. The Bash Shell

Bash is a commonly-used shell that gives you the power to do simple tasks more quickly.

Windows

Install Git for Windows by downloading and running the installer. This will provide you with both Git and Bash in the Git Bash program. NOTE: on the ~6th step of installation, you will need to select the option "Use Windows' default console window" rather than the default of "Use MinTTY" in order for nano to work correctly.

After the installer does its thing, it leaves the window open, so that you can play with the "Git Bash".

Chances are that you want to have an easy way to restart that Git Bash. You can install shortcuts in the start menu, on the desktop or in the QuickStart bar by calling the script /share/msysGit/add-shortcut.tcl (call it without parameters to see a short help text).

Mac OS X

The default shell in all versions of Mac OS X is bash, so no need to install anything. You access bash from the Terminal (found in /Applications/Utilities). You may want to keep Terminal in your dock for this class.

Linux

The default shell is usually Bash, but if your machine is set up differently you can run it by opening a terminal and typing bash. There is no need to install anything.

2. Python

Python is a popular language for scientific computing, and great for general-purpose programming as well. Installing all of its scientific packages individually can be a bit difficult, so we recommend an all-in-one installer.

Regardless of how you choose to install it, please make sure you install Python version 3.x.

We will teach Python using the IPython notebook, a programming environment that runs in a web browser. For this to work you will need a reasonably up-to-date browser. The current versions of the Chrome, Safari and Firefox browsers are all supported (some older browsers, including Internet Explorer version 9 and below, are not).

Windows

  • Download and install Anaconda.
  • Download the Python 3 installer. Use all of the defaults for installation except make sure to check Make Anaconda the default Python.

Mac OS X

  • Download and install Anaconda.
  • Download the Python 3 installer. Use all of the defaults for installation.

Linux

We recommend the all-in-one scientific Python installer Anaconda. (Installation requires using the shell and if you aren't comfortable doing the installation yourself just download the installer and we'll help you during the class.)

  1. Download the installer that matches your operating system and save it in your home folder. Download the Python 3 installer.
  2. Open a terminal window.
  3. Type bash Anaconda- and then press tab. The name of the file you just downloaded should appear.
  4. Press enter. You will follow the text-only prompts. When there is a colon at the bottom of the screen press the down arrow to move down through the text. Type yes and press enter to approve the license. Press enter to approve the default location for the files. Type yes and press enter to prepend Anaconda to your PATH (this makes the Anaconda distribution the default Python).

Testing your installation

Open a command line window ('terminal' or, on windows, 'git bash'), and enter the following commands (without the $ sign):

$ python --version

If bash and python have been installed, those commands should print output version information. The python version should include "Anaconda" and its version information.

Jupyter is a python development environment that comes pre-installed with the Anaconda python distribution. To see if you have it, type the following into your terminal window:

$ jupyter notebook

This should open a programming interface in your default web browser. It may take a few minutes the first time. To close, just close your browser and then CTRL-C to end the process in the command line.

Software Carpentry maintains a list of common issues that occur during installation may be useful for our class here: Configuration Problems and Solutions wiki page.

Credit: Thanks to Software Carpentry for providing installation guidelines.