Reccomended Tools for Python

While Python is a great language, there are a few additional tools that we reccomend you install in addition to the base software that will potentially make your life easier.

IDEs

• PyCharm (MacOS, Linux, Windows)
  • PyCharm is a full-featured, cross-platform IDE, with a free professional version for students.

Python Packages

The following packages can be installed using pip, and are

• virtualenv
  • Virtual environments are often used for packaging projects, to start with a python environment that includes only built-in packages, and install third party modules as needed.
  • A virtual environment can also help you install third-party modules on a system where you don't have root access.
  • Refer to PythonVirtualEnvironments for more.
• nltk
  • The Natural Language Toolkit (nltk) will be used in 571 extensively, and is a good resource for learning a number of NLP tasks in Python.
• ipython
  • ipython is an alternative interpreter shell than the default "python" command, allowing the user to use a number of built in POSIX commands, such as "ls" and "cd" from within the interpreter, as well as auto-completion and syntax highlighting.
• jupyter
  • Jupyter is primarily known for Jupyter Notebooks, which are a way of creating documents that contain a mix of documentation and live code in an easily distributable document. We may use notebooks in a few courses to share tutorials. While Jupyter supports python, it can run kernels supporting other languages as well.