Anaconda

Our VMs have python 2 and 3 available as part of the Anaconda
distribution. Anaconda comes installed with many packages best suited
for scientific computing, data processing, and data analysis, while making deployment
very simple. Its package manager conda installs and updates python packages and
dependencies, keeping different package versions isolated on a project-by-project basis.
Anaconda is available as open source under the New BSD license. It also ships
with pip, the common python package manager.

Installing packages

Packages could be installed via pip or conda package managers

Installing packages on a Windows VM

A) Using conda

From the Start menu, open a new Command Prompt (or Anaconda prompt) window, and type:

1. conda search package_name (search for a package by name)
2. conda install package_name (install a package)
3. conda update package_name --upgrade (upgrade the package to the latest stable version)
4. conda list (list all installed packages)

B) Using pip

From the Start menu, open a new Command Prompt (or Anaconda Prompt) window and type:

1. pip search package_name (search for a package by name)
2. pip install package_name (install a package)
3. pip update package_name --upgrade (upgrade the package to the latest stable version)
4. pip list (list all installed packages)

Running Python2 and Python3 using Virtual Environments

You can specify which version of Python you want to run using conda. This can be done
on a project-by-project basis, and is part of what is called a “Virtual Environment”.
A Virtual Environment is simply your isolated copy of Python in which you maintain your
own version of files and directories. It enables you to keep other projects unaffected.
With projects that have similar dependencies, you can freely install different versions
of the same package without worry on two different Virtual Environments. In order to jump
between two VE’s, you simply activate or deactivate your environment. Follow the steps below:

1. Update Conda:

   conda update conda

2. Set up your Virtual Environment:

   conda create -n your_env_name_goes_here (default Python version: use conda info to find out)

   OR

   conda create -n your_env_name_goes_here python=version_goes_here (to find specific Python versions, use conda search "^python$")

3. If it asks you for y/n, hit y to proceed. It will start the installation

4. Activate your newly created environment activate your_env_name_goes_here

5. Install a package in your activated environment

   conda install -n your_env_name_goes_here your_package_name_goes_here

   OR

   conda install -n your_env_name_goes_here \ your_package_name_goes_here=version_goes_here

   OR (even better)

   In your home directory or Conda installation folder, create a file called .condarc (if not already there)
   Inside the file write the following:

   create_default_packages
   	- your_package_name_goes_here
   	- your_package_name_goes_here
   	- your_package_name_goes_here
   	...
   

   Now everytime you create a new environment, all those packages listed in .condarc will be installed.

6. To end the current environment session:
   deactivate

7. Remove an environment:
   conda remove -n your_env_name_goes_here -all

More Information

For more information, please visit the official [Anaconda website] (https://anaconda.org/anaconda/python)