Setup Instructions

Herein I present 3 options for a Python IDE:

1. VS Code with Anaconda

2. jGrasp with Python installed

3. Repl.It Teams or personal Paid-For account

Classroom Install

The classroom computers have the software installed, but they don't have the environments set. These are steps that students need to take to get Python to work correctly in the classroom.

Jupyter Notebook

1. Download the environment.yaml (open and download) into your downloads folder. 

2. Launch Anaconda Navigator. (Windows Key: type in Anaconda)

   • Launch the Anaconda Prompt or CMD console (in the Anaconda3 (64-bit) folder in the Start Menu) This should put you into your c:\users\<ID> directory.

     • IMPORTANT: type in: conda config --set ssl_verify false 

     • Console install: type in: conda env create -f downloads\environment.yaml

In prior years, we would install install via the GUI instead of the console. If you the console install worked, you're done! These next two steps were done instead of the console install.

2. • In Anaconda Navigator, click the environments tab on the left

   • Click "Import" button at bottom and create an environment with the name "cse163" using the yaml file downloaded in step 1.

VS Code with Anaconda

This will allow one to do Python development in a powerful IDE that can integrate with GitHub and support virtual environments preconfigured with all the necessary Python libraries/modules installed. You can be offline, get professional IntelliSense, and have access to Jupyter Notebooks. If you integrate with GitHub, you need to make sure your account allows for PRIVATE repositories. If you do not integrate with GitHub, you'll need to take measures to save your code in the cloud so that you can work on it in class when given the opportunities.

Standard Install

Most of the information to complete this installation can be found here: https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/cse163/software/ 

There are some steps that need some clarification and/or additions.

• You will install the Anaconda Individual Edition. This may automatically install Python, VS Code and/or Jupyter Notebooks. It will automatically install Powershell. 

• You may have to install VS Code. Open Anaconda and see of VS Code is listed on the Home Page. If you see it there, check the text in the button. (Install vs Launch)  If you see Install, then click it to install it. If you don't see VS Code at all, don't panic.  You simply need to manually install VS Code.

• When you launch VS Code, you'll need to install the Python Language plug-in. The Welcome tab may look different than what the installation page shows. Install the Python plug-in.

• It isn't required to have Jupyter Notebooks. Look on the Anaconda Home page. If it says Install, you may want to install it. Jupyter Notebooks are very handy for quick tests of code, easily visualization of graphs, and browsing unfamiliar data schemas. Plus, they're just really cool.

• In step 6:

  • Make sure you have main.py open when you right click as you search for the "Run Python File in Terminal" context menu option.

  • I have personally had some issues with VS Code unable to access the installed modules. Launching VS Code from Anaconda appeared to rectify this problem. Your experience may differ.

JGrasp with Python installed

This is a simple IDE, but it does not use the virtual environment that Anaconda created. This may be a good way to learn basic Python programming, but if you want to use the Python libraries (such as pandas and seaborn), you'll need to install these manually. Typically this is done with a command such as:

pip install pandas

I have not personally installed the Python modules manually; I don't have a full set of instructions.

Basic Installation

Install jGrasp: http://spider.eng.auburn.edu/user-cgi/grasp/grasp.pl?;dl=download_jgrasp.html  

Install Python: Via Anaconda Individual Edition or Python Download.

Point jGrasp to the Python executable:

• Launch jGrasp. In the menu, select "Settings -> Plugin Paths"

• Select the tab named "PATHS" and click on the "New" button

• If you installed Anaconda, type in the path: "C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3" (note that ProgramData is a hidden directory so you can browse to it normally.

• If you installed via the Python Download, type in the installation path (I don't know what it chooses, offhand).

Repl.It Online IDE

This can be the easiest, but there is an important restriction. You must have PRIVATE repositories. If you have a public repository, others can find and use your code without your permission and you will get punished with Plagiarism. To have a private repository, you must use the Teams for Education link that Mr. Stride provides for you (link TBD), or you must pay for a subscription.

Go to: https://repl.it 

That's simple! But, beware of public repositories!! You are not allowed to publish your code to the world.