Python for Data Science For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 3

Setting Up Python for Data Science

IN THIS CHAPTER

Obtaining an off-the-shelf solution

Creating an Anaconda installation on Linux, Mac OS, and Windows

Getting and installing the datasets and example code

Before you can do too much with Python or use it to solve data science problems, you need a workable installation. In addition, you need access to the datasets and code used for this book. Downloading the sample code and installing it on your system is the best way to get a good learning experience from the book. This chapter helps you get your system set up so that you can easily follow the examples in the remainder of the book.

This book relies on Jupyter Notebook version 5.5.0 supplied with the Anaconda 3 environment (version 5.2.0) that supports the Python version 3.6.5 to create the coding examples. For the examples to work, you must use Python 3.6.5 and the packages’ version as present in the Anaconda 3 version 5.2.0. Older versions of both Python and its packages tend to lack needed features, and newer versions tend to produce breaking changes. If you use some other version of Python, the examples are likely not going to work as intended. However, you can find ...