Python Installation On Your System

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Do You Need To Install?[edit]

No! There are a lot of places on the web where you can run Python in your web browser without installation. But installation is highly recommended, it gives you a better interface and typically a lot more features. Perhaps someone would like to create a page here that documents some of the cloud based environments.

A Brief Installation FAC[edit]

  • What is an IDE and why should I care? An IDE is an integrated development Environment, it is a software setup that ( for Python ) makes it easier to write, run and debug Python programs.
  • How much does it cost? Usually nothing, although there are some IDE's that do require you to purchase a license. We will stick to free stuff.

How To Install[edit]

For now we are going to stick to the discussion of just one installation, Spyder from Anaconda. Why this choice?

  • You get a pretty good IDE thrown in for free, in our teaching documentation we will assume that this is the environment you are using.
  • You get a basic installation of Python plus a whole range of extensions that would otherwise be tedious to install.
  • Installation works on all major operating system.
  • In our experience installation process is simple.
  • Spyder appears to be well maintained and regularly updated.

For now we will use Python 2.7, at this time ( Aug 2016 ) it seems to be a bit better documented and supported than the newer, and in the long run probably better Python 3.x.

Steps for Install ( Windows )[edit]

Russ will write this. If you have some experience just Google Spyder Install and ....

Download[edit]

I like the Anaconda site for download.... [Anaconda 4.1.1] Use Python 2.7 version and select 32 or 64 bit to fit your system. Save the file somewhere you can find it.

Install[edit]

Run the file you saved earlier. Your web browser may help, or just double click on the file from your file manager. Follow the prompts. I will try to do this soon and add some instructions here. You may also find this useful:

Maintain and Update[edit]

Anaconda Spyder comes with a command line utility for updating and extending it and Python it is called conda. To run conda use the start menu to find and run cmd. This gives you a dos or termainal window. Some example commands for this window:


  • Install an extension called wxpython ( or other named package ) Do this only when on the Internet as conda gets code from it.
    conda install wxpython
  • Update everything: ( and show what you already got )
    conda update --all

You can also use a standard Python called pip. It is also used from the command line. Google pip for more info. Sometimes pip works better than conda, but I would start with conda.


Anaconda Links[edit]

Run[edit]

With luck you will find an Icon on your desktop, if not use the start menu to search for Spyder.

Steps for Install ( Linux including Raspberry Pi)[edit]

Runs fine on the Pi, you should be able to get this to work using the gui install or apt-get, I just forget, perhaps it is in my Pi setup instructions.

Anyone want to help? Its a Wiki...

In the mean time Linux is not all that different, go to a package manager and look for Spyder.

In my Linux Mint it is Software Manager and search on Spyder spyder ide for scientists seems to be the right result

Run[edit]

Click on the Icon....

Steps for Install ( Apple )[edit]

Anyone want to help? Its a Wiki...

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