Installing Anaconda and PyCharm

Anaconda is a distribution for the Python programming language and provides package management. The two work together inside of PyCharm, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), to create new projects and interpret written code.

For Windows

Install Anaconda

1. Navigate to Anaconda Installers

2. Click on the 64-Bit Graphical Installer link under the latest version of Python under Windows

   Open

   

3. Click on the executable file that appears at the bottom of the browser to run the Anaconda Setup installer

   1. Click on the Run icon on the pop up that appears at the bottom of the screen for browsers other than Google Chrome (i.e. Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox).

4. Complete the Anaconda Setup installer:

   1. Click Next >

   2. Click I Agree to accept the License Agreement

   3. Select the installation type All Users (requires admin privileges) and then click Next >

      1. If prompted for User Account Control credentials, enter an admin username and password

   4. Verify that the destination folder path is under Program Data on your C drive C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3

   5. Check the Register Anaconda3 as the system Python 3.8 box only under Advanced Options

   6. Click Install

   7. Click Next >

   8. Click Finish

      Open

      

Install PyCharm

1. Navigate to Download PyCharm

2. Navigate to Windows > Community

3. Click on the Download icon to receive the latest version of PyCharm

4. Click on the executable file that appears at the bottom of the browser to run the PyCharm Community Edition Setup installer

   1. Click on the Run icon on the pop up that appears at the bottom of the screen for browsers other than Google Chrome (i.e. Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox).

5. Complete the PyCharm Community Edition Setup installer:

   1. Click Next >

   2. Leave the default destination folder and click Next >

   3. Check the 64-bit launcher box under Create Desktop Shortcut

   4. Check the .py box under Create Associations

   5. Click Next >

   6. Leave the default Start Menu Folder

   7. Click Install

   8. Click Next >

   9. Click Finish

       

Configure PyCharm

Add Python Interpreter

1. Launch PyCharm through the Windows search bar

2. Check the I confirm that I have read and accept the terms of this User Agreement box and click Continue

3. Select the + icon called New Project in the Welcome to PyCharm window

4. Click the dropdown arrow for Python Interpreter to expand the menu

5. Select Previously configured interpreter and click on the ellipses icon to add Python Interpreter

6. Select System Interpreter and verify the location to match the destination folder of Anaconda C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\python.exe

   1. If your destination folder location varies from the default, click on the ellipses icon to choose the corresponding custom location for the interpreter

7. Click OK

8. Click Create

Set Python as your interpreter for future projects

1. Click on File > New Projects Settings > Settings for New Projects… from the menu at the top of the application

2. Select the Python Interpreter tab from the left hand sidebar

3. Select the previously configured interpreter Python 3.8 C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\python.exe

4. Click on OK to save the settings

For Mac

Install Anaconda

1. Navigate to Anaconda Installers

2. Click on the 64-Bit Graphical Installer link under the latest version of Python under MacOS

3. Open the Downloads folder and double click on the .pkg file to launch the installer

4. Complete the Anaconda Installer:

   1. Click Continue in the pop up box

   2. Click Continue for the Introduction and click Continue for the Read Me

   3. Click Continue and click Agree to accept the Software License Agreement

   4. Click on Change Install Location… and select Install on a specific disk…

      1. Click on the Macintosh HD icon and then click Continue

   5. Click Install

      1. If prompted for credentials, enter a username and password with administrative privileges and click Install Software

   6. Click Continue

   7. Click Close

Install PyCharm

1. Navigate to Download PyCharm

2. Navigate to Mac > Community

3. Select the processor corresponding with your computer and/or click on the Download icon

   1. .dmg (Intel) ( > About This Mac > Processor > *Intel)

   2. .dmg (Apple Silicon) ( > About This Mac > Chip > *Apple M1 or higher)

4. Open the Downloads folder and double click on the .dmg file

5. On the following pop up window, drag the PyCharm CE icon to the Applications folder icon to download PyCharm

Configure PyCharm

Add Python Interpreter

1. Open PyCharm through Applications or Launchpad

2. Check the I confirm that I have read and accept the terms of this User Agreement box and click Continue

3. Select the + icon called New Project in the Welcome to PyCharm window

4. Click the dropdown arrow for Python Interpreter to expand the menu

5. Select Previously configured interpreter and click on the ellipses icon to add Python Interpreter

6. Select System Interpreter and click on the ellipses icon to select Python Interpreter

   1. Select the path Applications > Anaconda-Navigator.app > Contents > MacOS > python

   2. Click on OK

7. Click OK

8. Click Create

Supplemental Resources

Please refer to Texas A&M Engineering Software for tutorials on installing Anaconda and PyCharm for Windows and Mac.