The Anaconda Python Interpreter

chris_crunch · 03-14-2016, 07:09 AM

Here's what I am aware of so far:

Code:

chris@chris-crunch:~$ which python
/home/chris/anaconda2/bin/python

I've removed the default python interpreter from my Linux, and I'm using this one.

Code:

chris@chris-crunch:~$ python
Python 2.7.11 |Anaconda 2.5.0 (64-bit)| (default, Dec  6 2015, 18:08:32) 
[GCC 4.4.7 20120313 (Red Hat 4.4.7-1)] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
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>>> import sys
>>> sys.path
['', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python27.zip', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python2.7', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python2.7/plat-linux2', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python2.7/lib-tk', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python2.7/lib-old', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python2.7/lib-dynload', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python2.7/site-packages', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python2.7/site-packages/Sphinx-1.3.5-py2.7.egg', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python2.7/site-packages/cryptography-1.0.2-py2.7-linux-x86_64.egg', '/home/chris/anaconda2/lib/python2.7/site-packages/setuptools-20.2.2-py2.7.egg']

>>>

My main questions are: How is this different from the default python interpreter? Whatare all the directory paths when I type "sys.path" like what actually are they? Please don't assume I have any prior knowledge of what I'm doing- I don't lol.

hydrurga · 03-14-2016, 07:56 AM

This is no way helps you and answers your problem Chris but, purely out of interest, why have you decided to use the Anaconda distribution and not the default one that come with your system?

The reason I ask is that I've had a great time working with the default distribution (the 3.4 one rather than the older 2.7 one) on Mint.

Have you encountered difficulties, or does the Anaconda distribution provide something you need that the default distribution doesn't?

hydrurga · 03-14-2016, 07:59 AM

I'd also add, but perhaps I may be corrected by others, that given the number of system hooks into Python, I would never dream of actually removing the default Python distribution from my system. Add another distribution - yes, but remove the default one, no way.

Perhaps though I'm being over-cautious in this regard.

chris_crunch · 03-14-2016, 09:57 AM

Yeah I think you're right- removing the default one can be pretty freakin dangerious since a lot of other 'stuff' in your linux distro could depend on it. But, I only started programming 4 weeks ago, so ridiculous mistakes like that will be made

And why have I decided to use it? I was told to by someone who knows a lot about computers... but he's basically left me to figure out why ahaha. He mentioned the conda environments would come in very useful if I was testing code out which I think might crash the system.

Anywho, I guess I could rephrase my question to incorporate yours, as I'm curious too.

What are the main differences/reasons for having different Python interpreters, and what are some of the most common ones?

I guess it depends on what version of python you want to use (2 or 3)?

Looking at a list of common interpreters (Cython, PyPy, Jython, IronPython, PythonNet...) I didn't see anaconda there, and it's very difficult from their website to gather what's so special about it (it seems like a just lot of propaganda to me!)

ilesterg · 03-14-2016, 10:42 AM

Higher level of support for different technologies of interest, IMO. For example, IronPython provides "tight integration with .NET", as their site describes, then Jython provides the same for Java. As hydrurga mentioned, you can install multiple distributions of Python on your machine if, for the sake programming, you will need or would want to.

efueyo · 09-22-2017, 11:07 AM

I will be grateful if you indicate me how to start the Anaconda 2 python Idle (spyder), from the Linux terminal.

efueyo · 09-22-2017, 01:35 PM

Solved. Enter in the directory where "anaconda2" is installed. Type "spyder." It is necessary to wait patiently since it takes a little time before opening.