Installing and Setting up Miniforge (A Lightweight Conda Distribution)

Short Summary
Setup
Downloading MiniForge
Conda Init (FOR WINDOWS ONLY)
Creating an Environment
Activate/Use or Deactivate/Leave the Environment
Installing libraries to the Environment
Setting up Visual Studio Code for use with the Our Own Environment
Downloading Python Extension in VS Code
Conclusion

Short Summary

MiniForge Conda is a minimalistic distribution of Conda, a popular package and environment manager in Python. It provides a lightweight alternative to Anaconda and Miniconda, offering essential functionalities for managing packages and environments efficiently. This guide provides instructions on installing MiniForge Conda, enabling users to set up Python environments and manage packages seamlessly.

Setup

Downloading MiniForge

To install MiniForge Conda, visit the official GitHub repository and select the installer compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Download the installer script or executable file, open a terminal or command prompt window, and execute the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

For Linux/macOS: Use the terminal and run the following command:

bash Miniforge3-Linux-x86_64.sh

For Windows: Double-click the executable file and follow the installation wizard prompts.

Conda Init (FOR WINDOWS ONLY)

In PowerShell, conda init is used to initialize Conda for the PowerShell environment. This command sets up your PowerShell session to recognize Conda commands and configure the environment for managing Conda environments effectively. Open PowerShell as an administrators. In PowerShell, run the following command to initialize Conda:

conda init powershell

conda init

Creating an Environment

To create the What_Ever_Name_You_Want environment, open Miniforge Prompt or Mambaforge Prompt (whichever comes up in the start menu search).

Then, run the following command:

mamba create -n ee5830

mamba create -n ee5830 python=3.10

"python=3.10 just means what version of python

Activate/Use or Deactivate/Leave the Environment

To activate this environment use:

conda activate ee5830

To deactivate an active environment, use:

conda deactivate ee5830

Installing libraries to the Environment

For installing any library, you have two options to choose from. First, we'll utilize pip, followed by conda.

pip:
- pip is the package installer for Python.
- It's used to install Python packages from the Python Package Index (PyPI) or other sources.
- pip installs packages in isolated locations (virtual environments) by default.
- It primarily installs Python packages only, and it doesn't handle non-Python dependencies.
conda:
- conda is a package and environment manager.
- It's used to install software packages and manage environments for any language—not just Python.
- conda can install both Python and non-Python packages, including libraries, dependencies, and executables.
- It creates isolated environments where packages and their dependencies can be installed without interfering with other environments.
- Conda is particularly popular in the data science and scientific computing communities due to its ability to handle complex dependencies efficiently.
Differences:
- Package Source:
  - pip installs packages from PyPI primarily.
  - conda installs packages from the Anaconda repository or other channels.
- Environment Management:
  - pip relies on virtual environments (like venv) for isolating packages.
  - conda has its own environment management system, allowing for more flexibility and handling of non-Python dependencies.
- Language Support:
  - pip is Python-specific.
  - conda can manage packages for any language.
- Dependency Management:
  - pip installs Python packages and their dependencies only.
  - conda can handle both Python and non-Python dependencies, making it more robust for complex software stacks.

To install a libray using pip, we do the following:

pip install library_name

To install a libray using conda, we do the following:

pip install library_name

To install specific versions of a library, follow these steps (applicable to both pip and conda):

pip install opencv==4.5.5

Setting up Visual Studio Code for use with the Our Own Environment

Downloading Python Extension in VS Code

For the first time running the editor, setup your personal preferences.

Conclusion

MiniForge is a lightweight yet powerful tool for managing Python environments and packages efficiently. Whether you're a data scientist, developer, or hobbyist, this guide equips you with the knowledge to get started and make the most of your Conda experience. By integrating MiniForge with tools like Mamba and Visual Studio Code, you can streamline your workflow and focus on your projects without worrying about dependency management. Happy coding!

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