Setup for Advanced Python Training

• Windows 10 or Mac: OS X Mountain Lion (version 10.8) or later
• Visual Studio Code  (Installation instructions below)
• Python (Installation instructions below)

Creating the Webucator Folder

The first step to setting up for your course is to create the folder in which you will store your class files: Create a new folder named Webucator wherever you want, but make sure you remember where it is.

Getting the Class Files

Download the Introduction to Python class files, found below, and unzip them into the Webucator folder. This will create a folder called ClassFiles.

Visual Studio Code

(You can use any editor that you like; however, if you don't have a preference, we recommend Visual Studio Code.)

1. Download Visual Studio Code for your operating system.
2. Install Visual Studio Code (Instructions).
3. Open Visual Studio Code.

Installing Python

Option 1: Install Anaconda

If you plan to take our Advanced Python course as well, you should install Anaconda, a free Python distribution that includes many commonly used Python packages.

1. Go to the Anaconda download page.
2. Click the Download button for your operating system to download the Graphical Installer.
3. Open the installer and follow the installation instructions.

Option 2: Install Python only

1. First, check if you have Python installed already by opening a command prompt and entering:
   python -V
   
   If you have Python 3.3 or later, you are ready for class, though you may want to upgrade to the latest version.
2. If you do not have Python 3.3 or later installed, go to the Python download page.
3. The web page should identify your operating system automatically. If it does not, select your operating system.
4. Click the latest "Download Python 3.x" link to download the Python installer.
5. Run the installer. Be sure to check the Add Python to Path check box.

Test your installation by opening a command prompt and typing "python". You should get a Python prompt, like this: Running Python at the command line

OpenWeatherMap API

In this course, you'll learn to access APIs with Python. We'll demonstrate this with the OpenWeatherMap API. It is free, but it requires an API key, which you should get before class by signing up at https://home.openweathermap.org/users/sign_up. After signing up, you should see an API key. Save that key somewhere where you can access it during class.

Congratulations. You are all set for your course.