Getting Started With Python

In this course, we will be using Python 3.7. The department machines already have Python 3.7 installed and have all of the packages that we need. If we ever need an additional package, we will be setting up a CS1951A virtualenv and providing instructions on how to use it. Ultimately all code must run on the department machines, as that is how you will be grading your code. If you install auxilliary packages for your own use, please make sure that they exist on the department machines as well.

If you are familiar with brew/macports/apt-get/yum

You may install Python 3.7 and similar packages via your package manager of choice. Python modules may be instaled using pip/ pip3.

If you are not familiar with package managers or want an all-in-one solution

We recommend using Anaconda, a complete Python 3.7 distribution containing most (if not all) the packages that we will need this semester. Note: Please install the Python 3.7 version, not Python 2.7.

I'm on Windows and everything is breaking! Help!

We've been known to have some issues with Windows in the past. Many times all of our packages will work through the new Windows 10 Bash subsystem or Cygwin. However, compatibility is not guaranteed. If you encounter problems, we recommend using either a department machine or a VM.