Installing python

Python is a programming language that is powerful but easy to learn. It is free, platform-independent, and popular among scientists.

For beginners, we recommend installing the Anaconda python distribution.

Python Installation:

• download and install the latest Anaconda Python (python 3)
• TIP: many online videos are available showing step-by-step python installation (Link)

Python 3 Test:

• open the command prompt
• type python --version
• if the output includes a version number, python is correctly installed
• if the output is python is not recognized as a an internal or external command
  • find the python exe file (typically C:\Anaconda3\python.exe)
  • copy the full path C:\Anaconda3\python.exe
  • paste into the console (right-click, "paste"), hit enter
  • if python starts, and the python prompt is shown >>>, python is installed correctly, but windows environmental variables do not correctly point to the python exe file. Follow instructions on Windows environmental variables.

NEXT STEP : Setup file directories