The days go by, and I like #Python more and more! However, if you need to work with graphics, stats, data, … you need to visit the repositories and download all packages (I already explained how to install new Python modules and packages, and this is a time consuming task. Al least, until you set up everything!
A few weeks ago, I found Anaconda, a scientific Python distribution that it’s free and it will install everything you neeed with a single installation, even several Python versions. The distribution includes the most important packages to deal with big data volumes, scientific calcs, data analysis, graphs, … All together on a single file, ready to install and with free distribution!
Installing Anaconda
This is the welcome form:
Instalando Anaconda
Next, let’s acept the licence agreement:
Licencia de Anaconda
Next step, is to choose if you want to install for a single user or for all users:
Instalar Anaconda
Next, select the path where everything will be installed:
Instalando Anaconda
Next step is adding the Python directory to PATH environment variable, and if you want to make Python 2.7 as default:
Instalando Anaconda
Except if you are not interested in working with Python 2.7, you should chekc it. Now, wait a few minutos while everything is installed:
Instalando Anaconda
Trying Anaconda
Before trying Anaconda, I recommend you to read the instruction of Anaconda quickstart.
The company that builds Anaconda offers it for free, for several operating systems, 32 or 64 bits.
Here you have the complete list of packages included in all distributions: http://docs.continuum.io/anaconda/pkgs.html.
Trying Python 2.7 de Anaconda
You can also try IPython:
Probando IPython en Anaconda
And with this, you have a Python and IPython console ready to work!
But, if you want an IDE, Anaconda includes Spyder, a very useful Python IDE that I need to try as well:
Spyder
In conclusion
For beginners to Python, this tools are very handy and time saving. Of course, after trying Anaconda in one computer, I decided to install it on the several computers I use to work with, having the same environment always. Now, working even with PyScripter, I use the Anaconda Python version:
Anaconda y PyScripter
I hope you enjoy this post, and … of course, try Anaconda!
Have a nice day!