OSX set up Python (Anaconda)

Download and install Anaconda

In order to be able to do all the exercises in the workshop without having to worry about installing special things later on, we're going to install a collection of extra Python libraries called Anaconda. Anaconda includes the Python programming language and a bunch of different pieces of software that are useful for data science and analysis. Although the collection includes all free software, it is put together by a commercial company called Continuum Analytics.

To install Anaconda, you should:

• Download and install Anaconda. Follow the link and click on the big blue Download OSX -- 64-Bit Python 2.7 Graphical Installer link in the page. The website will ask you for your email address when you log in. There's no reason to leave the checkbox marked saying that you want mail from Continuum.
• Click continue through the install process and install Anaconda in your home folder.

Note This install will take approximately 890MB for the 64-bit installer (which is most likely the version you'll be installing.) If you do not have this much space on your computer, you cannot install Anaconda, but you can still run Python--follow the instructions below!

Test your Python install

Now that you have installed everything you need, we will make sure we can start a Terminal and run Python from the command line.

1. Start up a Terminal. You can find the Terminal application through Spotlight, or navigate to Applications/Utilities/Terminal.
   
   This Terminal contains something called a command prompt. This command prompt is another way of navigating your computer and running programs -- just textually instead of graphically. We are going to be running Python and Python scripts from this command prompt.
2. Test your Python install at the command prompt. Type

   python
   

   and hit enter. You should see something like

   Python 2.7.1 (r261:67515, Feb 11 2010, 00:51:29) 
   [GCC 4.2.1 (Apple Inc. build 5646)] on darwin
   Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
   >>>
   

   • You just started Python! The >>> indicates that you are at a new type of prompt -- a Python prompt. The command prompt let's you navigate your computer and run programs, and the Python prompt lets you write and run Python code interactively.
     
   • If the Python version number (2.7.1 in the example above) is not a number between 2.4 and 2.7 (ignoring the number after the second dot), tell a staff member.
3. To exit the Python prompt, type

   exit()
   

   and press Enter. This will take you back to the OS X command prompt.

Success!

You have tested your Python installation.