Programming for Astronomy and Astrophysics: Setup

Installing Python Using Anaconda

Python is a popular language for scientific computing, and great for general-purpose programming as well. Installing all of its scientific packages individually can be a bit difficult, however, so we recommend the all-in-one installer Anaconda.

Regardless of how you choose to install it, please make sure you install Python version 3.x (e.g., 3.7, 3.8 are fine). Also, please set up your python environment at least a day in advance of the start of the course. We will troubleshoot any remaining issues with your installation during the first tutorial.

Windows - Video tutorial

1. Open https://www.anaconda.com/distribution/ with your web browser.

2. Download the Python 3 installer for Windows.

3. Double-click the executable and install Python 3 using the recommended settings. Make sure that Register Anaconda as my default Python 3.x option is checked - it should be in the latest version of Anaconda

Mac OS X - Video tutorial

1. Visit https://www.anaconda.com/distribution/ with your web browser.

2. Download the Python 3 installer for OS X. These instructions assume that you use the graphical installer .pkg file.

3. Follow the Python 3 installation instructions. Make sure that the install location is set to “Install only for me” so Anaconda will install its files locally, relative to your home directory. Installing the software for all users tends to create problems in the long run and should be avoided.

Linux

Note that the following installation steps require you to work from the shell. If you run into any difficulties, please request help at the first tutorial.

1. Open https://www.anaconda.com/distribution/ with your web browser.

2. Download the Python 3 installer for Linux.

3. Install Python 3 using all of the defaults for installation.

   a. Open a terminal window.

   b. Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the installer

   c. Type

   $ bash Anaconda3-
   

   and press tab. The name of the file you just downloaded should appear.

   d. Press enter.

   e. Follow the text-only prompts. When the license agreement appears (a colon will be present at the bottom of the screen) press the space bar until you see the bottom of the text. Type yes and press enter to approve the license. Press enter again to approve the default location for the files. Type yes and press enter to prepend Anaconda to your PATH (this makes the Anaconda distribution your user’s default Python).

Obtain lesson materials

1. Download python-novice-inflammation-data.zip and python-novice-inflammation-code.zip.
2. Create a folder called swc-python on your Desktop.
3. Move downloaded files to swc-python.
4. Unzip the files.

You should see two folders called data and code in the swc-python directory on your Desktop.