How to check if IPython is installed on my computer and what is the sequence for installing these libraries?

Question

I need to use python for a machine learning course, and I also need to install some external libraries. I am a little confused as to what the correct order is for setting everything, since I heard that paths can be corrupted if they are done incorrectly.

This is what I need:

• Python Version 2.7
• Ipython
• Libraries available inside this package using enthought

So the first step is to see if Python is installed Yes: I have this version

AM@ ~ >python Python 2.7.2 (default, Jun 20 2012, 16:23:33) [GCC 4.2.1 Compatible Apple Clang 4.0 (tags/Apple/clang-418.0.60)] on darwin Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information. 

Next ipython

  How do I check if I have IPython? Also whats the ideal procedure to install it? Any caveats? Any special path settings? Can I use brew to install it? 

Enthought Libraries

  Do I have to install these libraries in any particular order? before IPython? after IPython? Do I have to set any specific paths? 

I try to avoid installation and make a mistake, and then reinstall, etc.

Therefore, any help would be greatly appreciated. Im running Mac OS X 10.7 (Mountain Lion).

thanks

Answer 1

So easy to get all IPython, Matplotlib, Scipy, etc. Now that you have Python 2.7 installed. If this is for the course, I assume you have an email address at this institution? If so, just go here: http://www.enthought.com/products/edudownload.php

Submit your information. Download and install it, like any other program. Then you can call ipython from the terminal. Or use the matplotlib ipython --pylab from the terminal.

You should definitely not install libraries one by one if you don't know how this works.

Answer 2

You can simply check the version, as with other software packages, to check if the software package is installed correctly or not.

Enter your terminal.

ipython --version

It will print the version if ipython is installed correctly.