Python

Lab Sessions

Python (Miniconda)

Download

Download Miniconda from the official website:
download link

Choose the installer for your operating system:

• Windows: Miniconda \(\rightarrow\) Windows 64-Bit Graphical Installer
• macOS: Miniconda \(\rightarrow\) 64-Bit (Apple Silicon) Graphical Installer

---

Windows Installation

Installation Steps

1. Download the Miniconda installer (.exe).

2. Run the installer.

3. During setup, enable:

   • Add Miniconda to my PATH environment variable
   • Register Miniconda as the system Python

   

4. Complete the installation and restart your terminal.

Verify Installation

Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run:

conda --version

Then test the Python installation:

python --version

Check whether pip is installed correctly:

pip --version

---

macOS Installation

Installation Steps

1. Download the macOS installer (.pkg for Intel, .sh for Apple Silicon).
2. If using the .pkg file, run it normally.
3. If using the .sh installer:
   • install homebrew: /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
   • install miniconda: brew install --cask miniconda
4. Accept the license terms.
5. Allow Miniconda to initialize Conda in your shell.
6. Restart Terminal.

Verify Installation

Run:

conda --version

Then verify Python:

python --version

For Mac users, it might be required to use python3 instead of python

python3 --version

---

Creating and Managing Environments

Create a New Environment

Example environment with Python 3.13:

conda create -n myenv python=3.13

Activate Environment

conda activate myenv

Deactivate Environment

conda deactivate

List Environments

conda env list

---

Installing Packages

Install a Package

conda install numpy

Install Multiple Packages

conda install pandas matplotlib seaborn

Install Using pip

Inside an activated environment:

pip install requests

---

Updating Conda

conda update conda

---

Recommended Packages for the Course

• pandas
  
• numpy
  
• matplotlib
  
• seaborn
  
• scikit-learn
  
• jupyter
  
• plotly
  
• folium
  
• ipykernel (for VS Code integration)

Example install:

conda install pandas numpy matplotlib seaborn scikit-learn

We will explore these during class.

---

Adding Environment to VS Code

After activating the environment:

python -m ipykernel install --user --name myenv --display-name "Python (myenv)"

Then in VS Code:

1. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P)
2. Select Python: Select Interpreter
3. Choose Python (myenv)
4. In the bellow image it is just a python, meaning that my virtual environment name is python