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Are you interested in getting starting in learning Python. Here is a quick guide on getting your local environment setup with Python, Anaconda and Jupyter Notebooks on Windows in 10 minutes
- Python can be downloaded and install from the following link.
https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-380/
- Once installed you will want to set up your environment variables to that Python commands can be recognized from command Environment Variables. Typically the comman “Py” will work immediately but the command “Python” may have issues if not running from the installation folder. It is just best to set up the variables to avoid any issues down the road
- Navigate to your environment variables from the
start menu.
- Edit “system variables-path” and add two locations. One for the main python folder and one for the script folder.
- If you need to locate both paths, navigate to Windows Start menu and open the file location of your Python installation.
- This will most likely open the path of where the shortcut to Python is located. Repeat the exercise again and navigate to the true location of the folder.
- From this location you can find the path for the main folder and the scripts folder for your Path locations.
5) Close all Command Prompt Windows and reopen. Type the command “Python” and you should get the following message to verify a successful set up.
Set up PIP
Pip will be needed to setup and install packages and libraries for Python.
https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/installing/
- Download the PIP file from the link above to the same folder as where your scripts were set up in Python. This is not 100% necessary and can be downloaded to other locations, but it is nice to keep these items organized together.
- For example mine is downloaded to (C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python38\Scripts)
- The file get-pip.py should now be placed in this folder
- Open command prompt and navigate to this folder. Type the command “py get-pip.py” to initiate the installation.
- Once complete, you should now be able to install packages and libraries from and command prompt or Python jobs
Install Anaconda/ Jupyter Notebooks
Anaconda will install Jupyter Notebooks which is a web browser based Python editor. It is one of the most popular and easy to use editors. It allows you to create easy to write and run cells of codes which makes development and testing very easy
- Download Anaconda from the following locations. This will install Jupyter and Spyder on your computers.
- Run the installation file. That is it. Once complete, from Windows ->Start you will be able to run Jupyter Notebooks and begin writing your first line of Python code!
