Installing Python

We work with conda to download and install python and python packages. In addition conda offers “environments” to separate the used packages. For example, you may have one environment with NumPy 1.7, and another environment with NumPy 1.6.

Note

There are several ways to install python. We are using conda because it also handles non-python dependencies.

Requirements

  • 5 GB of disk space

  • an internet connection

  • a reasonably fast laptop

Installing miniforge

We use miniforge a free minimal installer for conda.

Warning

Download Miniforge3 and not any of the other options (such as Miniforge-pypy3, Mambaforge, Miniconda, Anaconda, …).

Windows

Go to conda-forge/miniforge and download Miniforge for windows.

Note

  • Certain browser may block the download - try another browser.

  • Once completed don’t move the installation folder.

  • If your username contains a space the installation in the default location will fail. To fix, open the File Explorer and manually create a miniforge folder under C: This PC ‣ Local Disk (C:) ‣ Right Click ‣ New ‣ Folder.

After the download double click it on the file browser. Keep the defaults:

  • Install for “Just Me”.

  • Make sure “Create start menu shortcuts” is ticked

Mac OS

Download Miniforge for MacOSX from conda-forge/miniforge to your Download folder.

Once it is downloaded, open a terminal and make sure you are in the same folder as the downloaded file. Then run the script using bash

bash Miniforge3-MacOSX-$(uname -m).sh

Confirm all questions:

  • You will need to accept the license agreement.

  • You can keep the default location for the installation.

  • Answer “yes” to “Do you wish to update your shell profile to automatically initialize conda?”?

Linux

The same instructions as for Mac OS apply, except that the file has a different name:

bash Miniforge3-Linux-$(uname -m).sh