Python for Data Science
Download and Install Python
First we need to confirm you dont already have python installed. Open a command prompt (win) or terminal (mac) and type python --version or python3 --version. If you see a version number, you already have python installed. If you see an error message, you need to install python. If the version you have is not the same as the one listed below you will still want to uninstall and install the correct version.
How to uninstall python on windows: - Open the Control Panel - Click on Programs - Click on Programs and Features - Find Python in the list of programs - Right click on Python or click on the … and select Uninstall
How to uninstall python on mac: - If it is python 3.10 or higher you should be fine to uninstall it. - Make sure it has a folder in your applications folder before uninstalling. - To uninstall simply drag the python folder to the trash. - If it does not have a folder in the applciations folder it will be much more difficult to uninstall. - Do not uninstall python 2.7 if you have it. We will not be using it but it is required for some system functions.
We need to download and install the latest version of python approved for this course. (Python 3.12)
Note: [do not] install python from VS Code or the Microsoft Store or Anaconda Python.org is the only place you should install VS Code from (link below)
Install Python on Windows
Make sure to check the box that says Add Python to PATH before clicking Install Now. Sometimes it is phrased as Add Python to environment variables. Failture to do so will cause issues with the quarto install process. 