Programming Setup

Required Software

1. Cursor IDE

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor that can help you write code faster and more efficiently. For more information and to install it, please visit the Cursor website.

2. Python Environment

We'll use Conda as our Python environment manager. It's available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Installing Conda

Choose one of these distributions: - Miniconda: Lightweight version - Anaconda: Full package suite - Miniforge: Community-driven version

Windows Installation

Download the installer from your chosen distribution
Run the .exe file and follow the installation wizard
Verify installation by opening Anaconda/Miniforge Prompt:
```
conda list
```

macOS Installation

Download your chosen installer

Open terminal and run:

bash <conda-installer-name>-latest-MacOSX-x86_64.sh

Close and reopen terminal
Verify installation:
```
conda list
```

Linux Installation

Download Miniconda:

wget https://repo.anaconda.com/miniconda/Miniconda3-latest-Linux-x86_64.sh

Install:
```
bash Miniconda3-latest-Linux-x86_64.sh
```
Restart terminal
Verify installation:
```
conda list
```

Working with Conda Environments

Creating Environments

Create a new environment with specific Python version and packages:

conda create -n my_project_env python=3.10 numpy pandas

Managing Environments

Activate an environment:
```
conda activate my_project_env
```
List all environments:
```
conda env list
# or
conda info --envs
```
Install packages in active environment via pip:
```
pip install scipy matplotlib
```

IDE Setup

Setting Up Conda in Cursor/VSCode

Activate your environment:
```
conda activate my_project_env
```
Install Jupyter kernel:
```
conda install ipykernel
```
Configure VSCode:
Install Python extension from marketplace
Press Ctrl + Shift + P (or Cmd + Shift + P on macOS)
Search for "Select Python Interpreter"
Choose your Conda environment