| Computing Setup |
- Choose Your Computer
Description:
I recommend that you use a computer that runs Windows (either Windows 10 or
Windows 11) or a recent release of macOS.
While the software that we will be using for this course does run on Linux, there
will be substantially less technical support available for Linux.
If you are considering using a Linux computer, please consult with me beforehand.
- Install Anaconda
Description: Anaconda is an open data science platform that provides access to a coordinated set
of
Python tools. We will be using Anaconda to build Python virtual environments. These
virtual
environments provide the correct version of Python and related packages for the work
that we
will be doing in the course. Please read the
Instructions document below. Then, play the tutorial video for your operating system
to Install
Anaconda.
- Update Anaconda
Description: In order to be sure that we have the most up-to-date versions of Python packages,
we need to update Anacconda. This step needs to be done even if you just installed
Anaconda for the first time in the previous step. Please read the
Instructions document below. Then, play the tutorial video for your operating system
to Update
Anaconda.
- Create an Anaconda Virtual Environment
Description: In this step, we create our first Anaconda virtual environment.
Please read the
Instructions document below. Then, play the tutorial video for your operating system
to
Create an Anaconda Virtual Environment.
- Install PyCharm Professional
Description: PyCharm Professional is a leading Python Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
I will be using PyCharm Profession in my tutorial videos and I will expect
you to use PyCharm Professional when completing your assignments.
JetBrains, the makers of PyCharm Professional, offer free licenses to this and a number
of other
products to university students and faculty. Please read the
Instructions document below. Then, play the tutorial video for your operating system
to
Install PyCharm Professional.
- Learn About Git
Description:
Using the Git version control system has become a basic programmer skill that
everyone should master. We do expect to be making use of Git in this course.
This will include some use of Git in your weekly assignments and during in-class
programming activities. Most important, we will be recommending that you make
use of Git while working on your Final Project.
If you haven't worked with Git before, then this is a good time to get started. If
you have worked with Git before, then this might be a good time to refresh your
skills.
We have come to prefer GitHub
as our Git repository vendor and GitHub Desktop as our graphical Git client. While
you are free to choose whichever Git-related tools you want to use, these are tools
that
we are currently recommending.
We have included one link below to a LinkedIn Learning course
that address Git. No single course at LinkedIn Learning perfectly addresses
the exact list of Git-related skills needed for our course. We are expecting you
to
find your way to the combination of resources that works for you. We invite you to
share
any helpful resources that you find with other students using our Open Discussion
Forum.
- Install a Graphical Git Client
Description:
Natively, Git is a command line tool. Some substantial portion of our work with Git
will be at the command line. Yet, many of us like to use graphical tool – especially
when we are working on our own computer.
If that includes you, then you
will want to pick a graphical Git client and install that for your use.
Currently, our preferred graphical Git client is GitHub Desktop. We have included
links
below for that and some other graphical Git clients that you may want to consider.
- Sign Up for GitHub Account
Description:
When using Git, you will need to set up an account with a remote repository service
provider.
This allows you to share your code with others and it allows you to use Git to deploy
code
on any server. In our course, we will be using GitHub as our remote repository service
provider.
If you don't already have an account with GitHub, we recommend that you set one up
now.
Register for a free account and remember to register with your Illinois email address.
We have
provided a link to GitHub below.
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