Check to see if you already have Python installed on your system by running:
On a Mac:
python3 --version
On Windows:
python --version
If you already have Python installed, check to be sure it’s Python 3.8 or up. (For example, 3.11 is great!) We suggest waiting on 3.12 to give any dependencies time to be updated.
If you are using a Windows machine, it is possible that you don’t have Python installed. You’ll need to pause here for a moment and proceed to install it. See this document for more information.
The scripts will be run in a virtual environment. Start by creating a virtual environment. Navigate to to the class folder in the command line and run:
On a Mac:
python3 -m venv venv
On Windows:
python -m venv venv
You can also create individual virtual environments for each lesson. Directions are in the READMEs in the lesson folders.
After creating the virtual environment, you need to activate it:
On a Mac:
source venv/bin/activate
On Windows:
source venv/Scripts/activate
Once the virtual environment is activated, the beginning of your terminal prompt should display (venv).
Install the modules by running (in both a Mac and Windows):
pip install matplotlib numpy requests pandas seaborn beautifulsoup4 statsmodels
You'll see a venv folder has been added to the directory with all of the installed dependencies.
With the virtual environment running and the modules installed, you can navigate to the folder for the lesson and run your code.
The scripts in this class can by run with these commands:
On a Mac:
python3 <filename>
On Windows:
python <filename>
For instance, to run the code in the main.py file the command would be:
On a Mac:
python3 main.py
On Windows:
python main.py
And to run the solution code:
On a Mac:
python3 solution.py
On Windows:
python solution.py
To navigate back to the class folder, run cd .. to move up a level. You can then cd into the lesson's folder.
When finished, close the virtual environment by running:
deactivate
Each of the folders has been named for the lesson. So some of the folder names are verrrry long! To make navigating the folders in the command line easier be sure to use the tab key. Start with cd and a space. Then type the first few letters of the lesson's folder and hit the tab key. The remainder of the name should appear. If there's more than one option, continue to tab until the right folder appears.
During the class you'll run the same commands repeatedly. In the command line you can scroll through the list of commands you've previously run using the up and down arrow keys in the bottom right of your keyboard. So much faster!