Getting started with Python

This is Data Train course OT-ST-WS-04

You can run notebooks interactevely on

This is a short overview of how Python with examples of data analysis and visualization.

PRs with corrections are very welcomed.

Getting started for Linux/Mac (for Windows see below)

The fastest way is to install Miniconda, that contains conda package manager and Python. On the Miniconda page select Python 3 installer script for your system and download it, for example:

wget https://repo.continuum.io/miniconda/Miniconda3-latest-MacOSX-x86_64.sh

Change mode of the downloaded scrip to executable, e.g.:

chmod +x Miniconda3-latest-MacOSX-x86_64.sh

Run installation process:

./Miniconda3-latest-MacOSX-x86_64.sh

At the end the script will offer you to add Miniconda3 install location to the PATH in your .bashrc/.bash_profile. You should say 'yes'. Please double check that you have something like this in your .bashrc/.bash_profile:

# added by Miniconda3 4.3.21 installer
export PATH="/Users/koldunovn/miniconda3/bin:$PATH"

If you for whatever strange reason use csh/tcsh, then add to your .cshrc:

setenv PATH /Users/koldunovn/miniconda3/bin:$PATH

Now you can open a new terminal window (sourcing not always works) and try to type:

conda

if as a result you see conda help, then everything is set up properly. The last thing before installing packages is to add conda-forge channel:

conda config --add channels conda-forge 

Now you can install nessesary packages:

conda install ipython jupyter matplotlib scipy pandas netcdf4 requests xarray dask bokeh

To begin working with notebooks execute:

jupyter notebook

the browser should pop up with jupyter main page. You can navigate to the folder with notebooks from there and open them.

Getting started for Windows

• First you have to download and install Anaconda python distribution for your system from here (scroll down to "Anaconda installers"). There is a nice video tutorial. If installation is sucessful, you will be able to work with several first notebooks. In order to work with netCDF files xarray, dask, bokeh some additional steps are required.

• Go to start menu and launch Anaconda prompt programm.

• Execute follwing commands:

conda config --add channels conda-forge 

and then

conda install netcdf4 requests xarray dask bokeh

• Agree with installation of additional packages by entering Y

Now you should be good to go. You can launch Jupyter notebook from visual Anaconda interface, or by opening Anaconda prompt and typing:

jupyter notebook

Author

Nikolay Koldunov

koldunovn@gmail.com