---
# System prepended metadata

title: Python Installation for Data Science - Overview

---

# Python Installation for Data Science - Overview

<center>
<img src="https://github.com/coding-dojo-data-science/dojo-env-setup/blob/main/images/Data%20Science%20Thumbnail.png?raw=true" width=500px></center>


So far in this program, you have worked in Google Colab, which provides a cloud-based coding environment. 
- We will transition to using a Python environment stored on your local machine. 
    - Jupyter Notebook will replace Google Colab. 
    - GitHub Desktop will sync your work.
___

## Installation Timeline/Deadline

- In the Data Enrichment course, you will need to submit a CORE ASSIGNMENT containing the error-free test notebook that is included within these instructions. This will ensure that you have the tools you will need to be successful.
- We recommend you begin the step-by-step installation AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to ensure you have time to troubleshoot any difficulties you may encounter.
- These steps should take ~30-90 minutes, depending on the speed of your machine and internet connection.

- If you run into issues during installation, see the "How to Ask for Help" secton at the bottom of this page. 

- The [dojo-env-setup repository](https://github.com/coding-dojo-data-science/dojo-env-setup), which you will clone in  Step 2.1, contains a backup copy of the entire set of instructions on the README, for convenience.

***Note: if you previously installed the dojo-env and are upgrading to the current version, please see the "Updating to New dojo-env" instructions***

<hr>

## Installation Overview:

<img src="https://assets.codingdojo.com/boomyeah2015/codingdojo/curriculum/content/chapter/1693253644__PythonInstallationforDSOverviewv234.png">

By the end of this installation, you will:

**1) Install or Set Up a Terminal application:**

- The terminal is the primary application you will use to execute programming commands.
    - Mac and Linux users should already have a Terminal application installed.
    - Windows users will install additional software (Windows Terminal + Git for Windows)

**2) Install a Python distribution:**

The foundation/infrastructure for installing our custom Python environment.
- Windows and Intel-Macs will install Anaconda. 
- Apple Chip Macs will installing a lightweight alternative called miniforge. 

**3) Install GitHub Desktop**

- Desktop application for working with and managing git repositories. 

**4) Create our custom Python environment (dojo-env)**

- An environment is a bundle of specific versions of python packages that are mutually compatible.
- We will install our custom `dojo-env`` Python environment, located in the [dojo-env-setup repository](https://github.com/coding-dojo-data-science/dojo-env-setup).  

**5) Test & customize the environment using Jupyter Notebook**

- Jupyter Notebook will replace Google Colab on your local computer.

**6) Install Visual Studio Code** as a secondary code editor.

- A special text editor designed for code. It has many extensions and languages available.

- We will use it to edit special files later in the course, but it can also run notebooks too!

<img src="https://assets.codingdojo.com/boomyeah2015/codingdojo/curriculum/content/chapter/1693253662__PythonInstallationforDSOverviewv235.png">

___

# OS-Specific Instructions

**Please make sure you select the correct instructions page, based on your computer's operating system!**

### Supported Operating Systems

We have prepared environment files (.yml files) for 4 different OS configurations:
- Windows (10 & 11)
- Mac (with Intel Processors)†
- Mac (Apple Chips)†

___

### †Mac users - if you don't know which type of Mac you have :

**Check the "About this Mac" screen for your computer:**

- Click on the Apple symbol in the top-left corner of your screen >  Click "About This Mac".

- A window with your computer's specs will appear like the one in the screenshots below, depending on how which version of macOS you have installed. 

<left>
<img src="https://assets.codingdojo.com/boomyeah2015/codingdojo/curriculum/content/chapter/1691528956__aboutthismacintelannotated.png" width=300px></left>
<right>
<img src="https://assets.codingdojo.com/boomyeah2015/codingdojo/curriculum/content/chapter/1691528713__aboutthismac2023annotated.png" width=200px></right>


- **If it has a "Processor" line that says "Intel"** you should follow the Instructions: Mac (Intel Processor).

- **If it has a "Chip" line that says "Apple"** then you should follow the Instructions: Mac (Apple Chip).


## Installation Instructions Pages

> **Please review the How to Ask for Help Section At the Bottom of this page if you get stuck!**

For New Installations:
- [Instructions for Mac (Intel Processors)](https://hackmd.io/@jirvingphd/dojo-env-mac-intel)
- [Instructions for Mac (Apple Chips)](https://hackmd.io/@jirvingphd/dojo-env-mac-apple-chip)
- [Instructions for Windows](https://hackmd.io/@jirvingphd/dojo-env-windows)

For updating Pre-Existing Install: 
- [Updating to a New dojo-env](https://hackmd.io/@jirvingphd/update-dojo-env)
___

# Troubleshooting

## Troubleshooting Documentation

> You can find the troubleshooting lessons on this GitHub Pages site: https://chastityb.github.io/dojo-env-setup-instructions/troubleshooting/

## How to Ask for Help

**If you encounter an error during installation:**
***You may continue to work through the first half of the data enrichment week 1 lessons & assignments while troubleshooting your local installation!*** The first lessons and assignments can be completed using Google Colab.

- **First, read a little further down in the instructions** to make sure we do not already address the error message that you ran into.

- **Second, please check the "Troubleshooting" chapter on the learnig platform for a lesson that mentions your problem.** about the problem you are running into. (The Troubleshooting section is the 3rd chapter in this course - see the screenshot below)

    <img src="https://assets.codingdojo.com/boomyeah2015/codingdojo/curriculum/content/chapter/1658334627__Troubleshooting-chapter.png" width=200px>

- **Third, reach out on the \#[ds-python-installation Discord channel](https://discord.com/channels/738494436467539968/1099094868762042400) with the following info:**

    - A) Which step are you on? (e.g. Step 2.3.3 Confirm the env was created)
    - B) Which OS you are using (e.g. Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac with an mchip, Mac with an Intel processor, etc.)
    - C) Let us know if you've previously installed an older version of Python.
    - D) Attach your copy of the  environment tester notebook and the FINAL_REPORT.txt files.
    - E) Include any additional screenshots of the error/issue you are running into, whenever possible.
    - F) Add any additional details or info you think may be helpful for us to know.
        - For example:
            - "My computer is really old and I think that may be part of the problem."
            - "I share this computer with someone else who also uses python"
            - "This is my work computer and I am not an administrator." etc

- **Fourth, if you do not receive a response by the end of the day on Discord, please email your instructor with the same information.**

    - An instructor or TA will get back to you within 1 business day with the next steps for you to try.
    - You will most likely need to set up a Zoom call and share your screen for us to help.

> **Now, navigate to the correct instructions page, based on your operating system, as explained above:**


<!-- #### **Note to Linux Users: 

Our Linux installation instructions are still in beta. While they have successfully been installed on students' Linux machines, we currently do not have a Linux machine available for troubleshooting.

<hr> -->

___

# APPENDIX

## Links of Interest
> 08/23/23 Note: Switch to the `v2023` branch in the dojo-env-setup repo in GitHub Desktop for the correct env files. 
- [Overview Page(This Page)](https://hackmd.io/@jirvingphd/dojo-env-overview)
- [dojo-env-setup repo](https://github.com/coding-dojo-data-science/dojo-env-setup)
- [Instructions for Mac (Intel Processors)](https://hackmd.io/@jirvingphd/dojo-env-mac-intel)
- [Instructions for Mac (Apple Chips)](https://hackmd.io/@jirvingphd/dojo-env-mac-apple-chip)
- [Instructions for Windows](https://hackmd.io/@jirvingphd/dojo-env-windows)
- [Updating to a New dojo-env](https://hackmd.io/@jirvingphd/update-dojo-env)


- [conda: Mangaging Environments - CheatSheet](https://conda.io/projects/conda/en/latest/user-guide/tasks/manage-environments.html#activating-an-environment)

<!-- - [Working Locally (PDF[`COMING SOON!`])]() -->



## Reference: Helpful Commands

### Installation Commands

- To activate dojo-env and add it to Jupyter (after installation)

```bash
conda activate dojo-env               
python -m ipykernel install --user --name dojo-env --display-name "Python (dojo-env)"
```

- To re-add `conda` command:

```bash
# Generic command (doesn't always work)
conda init

# Windows
conda init  bash

# Mac 
conda init zsh
```

### Uninstall commands

#### Uninstall dojo-env

- To remove the current dojo-env:

```bash
conda activate base                             
conda remove --name dojo-env --all
```

- Then answer `y` for yes

------

### Setting Default Env

#### For Mac Users (using the default terminal - zsh)

```bash
touch ~/.zshrc
echo "conda activate dojo-env" >> ~/.zshrc
echo 'alias jnb="jupyter notebook"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo 'alias lab="jupyter lab"' >> ~/.zshrc
```

#### For Windows Users (or mac users who switched to bash)

- To set dojo-env as the default Python env and add Jupyter shortcuts

Note: you may need to replace `~` with the full path to your user folder. (e.g. "/Users/codingdojo/.bash_profile" instead of "~/.bash_profile")

```bash
touch ~/.bash_profile
echo "conda activate dojo-env" >> ~/.bash_profile
echo 'alias jnb="jupyter notebook"' >> ~/.bash_profile
echo 'alias lab="jupyter lab"' >> ~/.bash_profile
```

------

### Managing Jupyter Kernels

- To see the list of kernels that jupyter will display as options:

```bash
jupyter kernelspec list 
```

- To remove a kernel that no longer exists (replace `<kernel name>` with name of kernel from the jupyter kernelspec list command ):

```bash
jupyter kernelspec remove <kernel name>
```

```bash
# Example:
jupyter kernelspec remove dojo-env-old
```