1.2. Set up¶

Let’s install our programming “stack”. Please do all of these steps before the first class:

Create a GitHub account, then
- Fill out this survey so we know your username and get to know you.
- Join the class’s GitHub organization by joining the “gradebook” repo. The link for that is in coursesite, and it is “classroom.github.com/<other stuff>”.
- Please add a profile photo on GitHub, to make our exchanges and community more personal (it’s easier for classmates to ignore a “Twitter egg” than a smiling Mountain Hawk)
- Sign up for a student discount.
Install Anaconda (not the Nicki Minaj song).
- Install the latest version, make Anaconda your default Python installation, and accept all the defaults otherwise.
  - Mac users: The TA used the “64-Bit Graphical Installer (435 MB)”
- Update Anaconda: Open up Anaconda Powershell Prompt (on windows, or terminal on Mac) and type
  
  conda update --all
  
  then click enter
Test start Jupyter Lab (simply see if you can open it, then close it)
- Open Anaconda Prompt (or terminal on a Mac) and type jupyter lab, click enter, and an internet tab should open with the url http://localhost:8888/lab. This is Jupyter Lab, and where we will code this semester!
- The “point and click: option: Open Anaconda Navigator and launch Jupyter Lab from there
- I recommend using the Powershell Prompt, because getting comfortable with that will be helpful
- Bonus: Play around and explore Jupyter Lab. For a walkthough of what you’re seeing, this page should help.
Tip

Once Jupyter Lab is open, you can create a new window to run terminal commands, otherwise they won’t work if you’re using the same window that jupyter lab is running from.
Install Git.
- Mac users: Your TA installed Git via Homebrew. Go to https://brew.sh, copy the home-brew address (they have a little copy paste icon which makes it easier for students), then type brew install git into the terminal and it’ll install git. (There is no config necessary, type “y ” when prompted with y/n?)
Warning

If Mac users install Git via Xcode, you’ll have to install Xcode and essentially waste 4gb of space you probably won’t be using.
Install GitHub Desktop. I accepted the default settings.

Is this a “fun” fact?

Git \(\neq\) GitHub \(\neq\) GitHub Desktop!

It is annoying that the names are so similar, but this will make more sense soon, I promise!
Optional, but recommended: Install a good text editor. Atom or Sublime are recommended.

If you’re into poorly done youtube content, I tried to cut together a video of me installing everything:

Now we are ready to go!

LeDataSciFi-2021

1.2. Set up¶