Installing Python on MacOS to Work with Algorithms

The installation files come in two forms. The first depends on a graphical installer; the second relies on the command line. The command-line version works much like the Linux version. The following steps help you install Anaconda 64-bit on a Mac system using the graphical installer:

1. Locate the downloaded copy of Anaconda on your system.

   The name of this file varies, but normally it appears as Anaconda3-4.2.0-MacOSX-x86_64.pkg. The version number is embedded as part of the filename. In this case, the filename refers to version 4.2.0, which is the version used for this book. If you use some other version, you may experience problems with the source code and need to make adjustments when working with it.

2. Double-click the installation file. An introduction dialog box appears.
3. Click Continue.

   The wizard asks whether you want to review the Read Me materials. You can read these materials later. For now, you can safely skip the information.

4. Click Continue.

   The wizard displays a licensing agreement. Be sure to read through the licensing agreement so that you know the terms of usage.

5. Click I Agree if you agree to the licensing agreement.

   The wizard asks you to provide a destination for the installation. The destination controls whether the installation is for an individual user or a group.

   You may see an error message stating that you can't install Anaconda on the system. The error message occurs because of a bug in the installer and has nothing to do with your system. To get rid of the error message, choose the Install Only for Me option. You can't install Anaconda for a group of users on a Mac system.

6. Click Continue.

   The installer displays a dialog box containing options for changing the installation type. Click Change Install Location if you want to modify where Anaconda is installed on your system. (The book assumes that you use the default path of ~/anaconda.) Click Customize if you want to modify how the installer works. For example, you can choose not to add Anaconda to your PATH statement. However, no good reason exists to change them unless you have another copy of Python 3.5 installed somewhere else.

7. Click Install.

   The installation begins. A progress bar tells you how the installation process is progressing. When the installation is complete, you see a completion dialog box.

8. Click Continue.

   You're ready to begin using Anaconda.