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Pre-Arrival Setup Guide

Please complete this setup before the first day of class. We will install three tools: Git, Anaconda Python, and VS Code.

Before you start

1. Install Git

Git is the version control tool we will use to download and manage course materials.

Windows
  1. Download Git from git-scm.com/download/win.
  2. Run the installer and keep the default options.
  3. Open Git Bash (or PowerShell).

Check installation:

git --version
macOS
  1. Open the Terminal app.
  2. Run this command:
xcode-select --install

This installs Apple command line tools, including Git.

Check installation:

git --version
Linux

Use the command for your distribution:

# Ubuntu / Debian
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y git

# Fedora
sudo dnf install -y git

# Arch
sudo pacman -S --needed git

Check installation:

git --version
Optional but recommended (run once): 
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"

2. Install Anaconda Python

Anaconda gives you Python plus common data science tools in one installer. Download it from anaconda.com/download.

Windows
  1. Download the 64-bit graphical installer for Windows.
  2. Run the installer with Just Me selected.
  3. Keep default options. You can leave "Add Anaconda to my PATH" unchecked.
  4. Open Anaconda Prompt after install.
macOS
  1. Choose the correct installer: Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) or Intel.
  2. Run the package installer.
  3. Open Terminal after install.
Linux
  1. Download the Linux installer script from Anaconda.
  2. From terminal, run:
bash ~/Downloads/Anaconda3-*-Linux-*.sh
  1. Accept defaults and answer yes when asked to run conda init.
  2. Close and reopen terminal.

Check Anaconda installation (all operating systems)

Use Anaconda Prompt on Windows, or Terminal on macOS/Linux.

conda --version
python --version
jupyter --version

Create a course environment (recommended)

conda create -n lcds-python python=3.12 -y
conda activate lcds-python
python -c "print('Python works')"

When you are done testing:

conda deactivate

3. Install VS Code

VS Code is the editor we recommend for writing and running code.

Windows / macOS / Linux
  1. Download VS Code from code.visualstudio.com.
  2. Install it normally for your operating system.
  3. Open VS Code, then install these extensions:
  • Python (by Microsoft)
  • Jupyter (by Microsoft)

Check VS Code installation

In terminal (or PowerShell), run:

code --version

If macOS says code: command not found:

  1. Open VS Code.
  2. Press Cmd+Shift+P.
  3. Run: Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH.
  4. Restart terminal and run code --version again.

4. Final full-system check

Run the commands below in terminal (or Anaconda Prompt on Windows):

git --version
conda --version
python --version
jupyter --version
code --version

You should see version numbers for all five commands and no errors.

Optional quick coding test

conda activate lcds-python
python -c "print('Setup complete')"

Troubleshooting

If anything does not work, bring your laptop to the course anyway. We will run a setup support session before teaching starts.