Getting Started with Anaconda: A Guide
The demand for the Python programming language is increasing after each passing day. More and more companies and organizations are deviating toward using the powerful programming language and its tools for managing projects. However, a gruesome task most individuals struggle with is choosing and setting up the appropriate development environment. Thankfully, numerous IDEs are readily available for users, out of which Anaconda is the most preferred option. This article will shed light on multiple aspects of Anaconda and help interested individuals to get started with the distribution without facing any inconvenience. Let us begin:
What is Anaconda?
According to Wikipedia, Anaconda is a popular distribution of the Python and R programming language. Millions of individuals extensively use it all around the globe for scientific computing, which includes ML-based applications, large-scale data processing, analysis, etc. It is an open-source distribution supported on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.
How to Install and Uninstall Anaconda:
Anaconda is supported on all major operating systems, including Windows and macOS. Here is an in-depth look at how both macOS and Windows users can install and uninstall Anaconda on their respective devices:
macOS:
How to Install – Downloading and installing Anaconda on a Mac is simple and easy. All you need to do is open the open source distribution’s official website, select the compatible version of Anaconda and download it, open the installer file and follow the instructions to complete the process.
How to Uninstall – Unlike downloading and installing Anaconda on Mac, uninstalling or completely removing it is a more complicated task. However, if you are a macOS user who is wondering how to completely uninstall Anaconda Mac, there are multiple methods you can opt for. For instance, you can conveniently remove Anaconda and all its components by manually uninstalling it from your Mac. Besides this, you can also use a third-party macOS-compatible tool like CleanMyMac X to get the job done efficiently.
Windows:
How to Install – If you own a Windows PC and wish to install Anaconda on it, you can do it by downloading the software from its official website, opening the installer file, and following the instructions stated in it.
How to Uninstall – You can remove Anaconda and all its associated tools by opening the folder where the program is installed, clicking on the exe file named “uninstall anaconda” and following the steps to complete the uninstall process.
Getting Started With Anaconda:
Launch the Installer – Once you have downloaded Anaconda on your Mac or PC, install it in the preferred location by following the installer’s instructions. It will take the installer roughly 8 to 10 minutes to complete the installation process.
Open Anaconda Prompt – Once you have installed Anaconda on your Mac or Windows, you can start with the IDE by launching Anaconda Prompt. To open the app, all you need to do is navigate to the Anaconda folder present on your device’s home screen. Alternatively, you can also open it by going to the drive where it is installed and accessing it from the folder named “Anaconda.”
Launch Python – After opening Prompt, input “python” and hit the Enter key. On doing so, a standard text featuring the Python version number will appear on your screen. Besides this, Prompt will also show 3 angular brackets (>>>). After this, you can begin using it by entering a code. Once you are done with coding, you can conveniently close the Python environment by typing “exit()” and hit the Enter key.
Creating a new Jupyter Notebook – If you wish to opt for a more sophisticated interface, it would be best to use Jupyter Notebook. It is a Graphical User Interface or GUI-based IDE that comes pre-equipped with Anaconda. It is a one-stop solution to input Python code, create visualizations, and write or edit markdown documents. To create a new notebook in Jupyter, click on the “New” option in the home screen’s top-right corner and click on the “Python 3” option.
Starting Python Coding – Once you have created a new notebook, you can begin writing your Python-based code or program. The notebook will open in your default web browser’s new tab and feature a single cell in edit mode.
Use Shortcuts While Coding – Every cell present in a Jupyter notebook can either be in the edit or select mode. Users can implement different shortcuts in each mode to quickly maneuver through the notebook. For instance, if users wish to execute code written in the current cell, they can conveniently do so by pressing the “Ctrl” and “Enter” keys on their Windows device. Besides this, there are numerous other shortcuts that both Mac and Windows PC users can implement to work more efficiently.
Anaconda is a powerful open-source tool that allows individuals to work efficiently and manage data-related projects. If you wish to know how to install and uninstall Anaconda on your Mac or Windows PC, refer to the steps mentioned above.
