Installing the Anaconda Python Distribution
We recommend installing the latest version of Anaconda Python (link is external) 3.x .
If you have difficulty with the installation, the Tech Clinic (link is external) should be able to help.
Learning the Basics of Python
Here are some useful tutorials for beginners and budding experts:
- DataCamp Python Courses (link is external) (3 levels)
- Software Carpentry course on Python (link is external)
- Additional Software Carpentry courses (link is external) (and videos)
Integrated Developer Environments (IDEs) for Python
The Anaconda distribution comes with two user-friendly interfaces for Python called Jupyter and Spyder.
To run the Jupyter notebook, open a terminal window and type “jupyter notebook.” To run the spyder IDE, open a terminal window and type “spyder.”
There are many fancier IDEs available for python. A highly regarded IDE is “pycharm” from jetbrains. However, for beginners this is more complicated than needed. If you want to try it, download the educational version "pycharm EDU(link is external)”