How to set up your computer for Python

Get Python

  1. Install latest version of Python from the official website. We used version 3.8

  2. We suggest to use Jupyter Notebook to edit and run Python code. You can install it via pip by running pip3 install jupyter in your terminal/PowerShell.

How to run case studies in Python

  1. Install Pipenv

    We use Pipenv for Python dependency management. First, install it via pip by running the following code in your terminal/PowerShell:

     pip3 install pipenv
    
  2. Create virtual environment and install required packages

    Go to the da_case_studies folder to create a virtual environment and install packages by running the following code in your terminal/PowerShell:

     pipenv sync
    

    This installs the required Python version and packages stored in the Pipfile.lock.

NOTE: For Windows users, the above code might result in an error, because the pipenv terminal shortcut sometimes does not install properly. In this case, run python3 -m pipenv sync.

NOTE: Python environment was testet thoroughly only on Mac OS. Windows users might experience bugs, therefore we prepared requirements.txt for all package==version we used in the notebooks and requirements_pipenv.txt for all packages and dependencies used in the virtual environment.

  1. Run Jupyter Notebook

    To start a Jupyter Notebook in this virtual environment, go to the da_case_studies folder and run the following code in your terminal/PowerShell:

     pipenv run jupyter notebook
    

    The jupyter environment should be opened on your default browser. You are good to go!

NOTE: For Windows users, the above code might result in an error, because the pipenv terminal shortcut sometimes does not install properly. In this case, run python3 -m pipenv run jupyter notebook.