1  the boring stuff you absolutely need to do

I assume everyone registered has taken a basic Python course. On your computer, do the following:

1.1 Anaconda

Install Anaconda’s Python distribution. The Anaconda installation brings with it all the main python packages we will need to use. In order to install extra packages, refer to these two tutorials: tutorial 1, tutorial 2

1.2 VSCode

Install VSCode. Visual Studio Code is a very nice IDE (Integrated Development Environment) made by Microsoft, available to all operating systems. Contrary to the title of this page, it is not absolutely necessary to use it, but I like VSCode, and as my student, so do you.

1.3 jupyter notebooks

We will code exclusively in Jupyter Notebooks. Get acquainted with them. Make sure you can point VSCode to the Anaconda environment of your choice (“base” by default). Don’t worry, this is easier than it sounds.

1.4 HUJI’s computers

If you are using the computers in the Hebrew University’s computer lab, then:

• open Anaconda Navigator
• in “Environments”, choose “asgard”
• open VSCode from inside Anaconda Navigator

1.5 folder structure

You NEED to be confortable with you computer’s folder (or directory) structure. Where are files located? How to navigate through different folders? How is my stuff organized? If you don’t feel absolutely comfortable with this, then read this, Windows, MacOS. If you use Linux then you surely know this stuff. Make yourself a “time-series” folder wherever you want, and have it backed up regularly (use Google Drive, Dropbox, do it manually, etc). “My dog deleted my files” is not an excuse.