Installing Anaconda and Spyder

This is the Spring 2023 version of the installation page. It is written specifically for EGR 103 but works for other classes too - just change the Box folder when asked. At the start of the Spring 2023 semester, the following were the most up-to-date versions of things:

• Anaconda 2022.10 with Python 3.9
  • Anaconda Navigator 2.3.1 or 2.3.2
  • Spyder 5.2.2 (do not bother trying to update to 5.3.3)
  • Numpy 1.21.5
  • Scipy 1.9.1
  • Sympy 1.10.1
  • Matplotlib 3.5.2
  • Jupyter 6.5.2

If you have already installed Anaconda and need to update it, you can probably just open the Anaconda Prompt (Windows) or a Terminal (macOS) and type the following (accepting all prompts in between)

conda update conda
conda update anaconda
conda update spyder

If you want to read more about keeping Anaconda and everything else up to date, read this blog post about Keeping Anaconda Up To Date

Descriptions

Anaconda describes its Anaconda Distribution as follows: "The open-source Anaconda Distribution is the easiest way to perform Python/R data science and machine learning on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. With over 15 million users worldwide, it is the industry standard for developing, testing, and training on a single machine, enabling individual data scientists to:

• Quickly download 1,500+ Python/R data science packages
• Manage libraries, dependencies, and environments with Conda
• Develop and train machine learning and deep learning models with scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and Theano
• Analyze data with scalability and performance with Dask, NumPy, pandas, and Numba
• Visualize results with Matplotlib, Bokeh, Datashader, and Holoviews" Anaconda Distribution Landing Page

Anaconda describes Spyder as: "Spyder, the Scientific Python Development Environment, is a free integrated development environment (IDE) that is included with Anaconda. It includes editing, interactive testing, debugging and introspection features." Spyder Documentation

Installation

• Go to https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual and click the Download button if the correct version is listed just below it or pick the appropriate distribution from the "Get Additional Installers" section and download the package. You will want to use the graphical installer and almost definitely the 64-bit unless you know you have a 32-bit processor.

• See specific instructions below depending on operating system

Windows Installation and Setup

• As the installer runs:
  • You will need to agree to the license agreement
  • You should install for "Just Me" unless you know you have a reason not to
  • You can use the default installation folder unless you know you have a reason not to
  • For the advanced installation options, leave the defaults unless...you know...
  • Once done, it is up to you if you want to see the Anaconda Distribution Tutorial or Getting Started with Anaconda.
  • You are not required to register for Anaconda Nucleus, but can if you choose
• Once installed, start the Anaconda Navigator.
  • Once Navigator starts, it may say there is a new version. If there is, you should go ahead and install it. (as of 1/11/2023, the download will install 2.3.1. When Anaconda Navigator runs, it will recommend installing 2.3.2). After that is there, the current versions of relevant packages will be:
    • Spyder: 5.2.2 (5.3.3 is the most current, but 5.2.2 is fine)
    • Jupyter Notebook: 6.4.12 (6.5.2 is the most current, but 6.4.12 is fine)
    • Environments:
      • Python 3.19.13
      • Numpy: 1.21.5
      • Matplotlib: 3.5.2
      • Pandas: 1.4.4
      • Scipy: 1.9.1
      • Sympy: 1.10.1

• In the Navigator window, there may be multiple items. One of them should be Spyder. Click on "Launch"
• If Spyder asks about installing Kite, you can install Kite. It is an add on to Spyder that provides more in-depth help with Python commands. Note: if you are using a Duke VCM to run Anaconda, you will not be able to install Kite.

Your First Program!

• Start a new file by clicking the New file icon at the top left.
• Enter the code print('Hello, world!') in the first line under the comments that were pre-loaded.
• Save the file by clicking File and then Save. Save it somewhere you can remember as start.py.
• Run the file by clicking the play button (single green arrow near the top of the screen). Clicking this button on a saved file will both change the Spyder working director to the folder that file is in and will run the file.
• Confirm that the Console window now, among other things, says Hello, world!

Your Second Program!

• Start a new file by clicking the New file icon at the top left.
• Enter the code

  w = input("Word: ")
  print(w)
  

  in the first two lines under the comments that were pre-loaded.
• Save the file by clicking File and then Save. Save it somewhere you can remember as check.py.
• Run the file by clicking the play button (single green arrow near the top of the screen). Clicking this button on a saved file will both change the Spyder working director to the folder that file is in and will run the file.
• The console window should show "Word: " -- go ahead and type a word and then hit return; Python should print the word on the screen. If Spyder crashes at this point, you will need to update to Spyder 5.2.2!

Updating

To update Anaconda and the Spyder distribution within it, open the Anaconda Prompt and then type:

conda update conda
conda update anaconda
conda update spyder

Unless you know of a specific reason not to, you can accept all the defaults.

If you need to update to Spyder 5.2.2 because the input command is broken, type

conda install spyder version=5.2.2