Instructions for installing Anaconda Python can be found on the corresponding installation page for your platform at the Anaconda website:
Note that the above pages offer two options for the installer: Miniconda and Anaconda. Which should you choose? From the Conda site:
Choose Anaconda if you:
- Are new to conda or Python
- Like the convenience of having Python and over 150 scientific packages automatically installed at once
- Have the time and disk space – a few minutes and 300 MB
- Do not want to individually install each of the packages you want to use.
Choose Miniconda if you:
- Do not mind installing each of the packages you want to use individually
- Do not have the time or disk space to install over 150 packages at once
- Want fast access to Python and the conda commands and you wish to sort out the other programs later.
Installing a Python IDE
The more popular Python IDEs are listed below.
VSCode (recommended)
Microsoft VS Code (Visual Studio Code) is one of the most popular IDEs as of this writing. Downloads are available here.
PyCharm
The instructions for downloading and installing PyCharm on Windows, MacOS, and Linux can be found on the JetBrains PyCharm website. The Community and Educational editions are free. Students and faculty can also apply for a free license for their Professional edition, which has additional features and also includes all of the other JetBrains desktop products. More information can be found at https://www.jetbrains.com/student. Given the wealth of features, as well as the additional products included, students and faculty are encouraged to take advantage of the offer and apply for a free license for their Professional edition.
Spyder
If you have installed Anaconda Python on your local machine, Spyder is included by default. If you have installed a Python version other than Anaconda Python, the instructions for installing Spyder on Windows, MacOS, and Linux can be found on the installation page on the Spyder website.