Software check

The first step is to open a terminal, which allows you to enter commands into a prompt. For Windows users, you can use Git Bash (installed with git) to open a terminal. Alternatively, you can open the Microsoft Store and install a program called Windows Terminal, which provides a nice Unix-like terminal.

Step 1. Checking Python

In the terminal, type

python --version

and then press enter. If you see a message like "Python 3.9.7" printed to the screen, then Python has been installed correctly. Please proceed to step 2.

If you see a message that says something about the python command not being found, then your Python might have been installed correctly but your operating system does not know where to look for it because the environment variables were not set correctly during installation.

If you installed Python using Anaconda, then the easiest fix is to reinstall Anaconda and make sure you select the option to add Anadonda3 to your PATH environment variable (see installation instructions).

Step 2. Checking NumPy, SciPy, and Matplotlib

In the same terminal, type

python

and press enter. If you are using Git Bash on Windows as your terminal, then you may find that nothing happens and in this case you will have to type

python -i

instead. Both commands will start the Python interpreter in interactive mode. This will allow you write and execute Python code. Type the following three commands, pressing enter after each one:

import numpy
import scipy
import matplotlib

If nothing happens, then these packages have been installed correctly. Press Ctrl + D or type

exit()

to exit the Python interpreter and proceed to Step 3.

If you see something like

>>> import numpy
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
ImportError: No module named numpy

then you don't have the scientific libraries installed. Or it could mean that you're running the wrong Python since it is possible to have many installed.

If you installed Python through Anaconda, then you can install any missing packages through the Environment tab on the left side of the Anaconda Navigator. Otherwise, you may need to use pip to install packages from a terminal.

Step 3. Checking git

In the terminal, type

git --version

If a message like "git version 2.25.1" is printed to the screen, then git is also correctly installed. Move to Step 4.

If you see a message about the git command not being found, then you will have to reinstall it.

Step 4. Checking Jupyter

If you installed Anaconda, then Jupyter Notebooks should also be installed. To check, open the Anaconda Navigator and launch a Jupyter Notebook. A notebook should appear in your default web browser. Move to Step 5.

Step 5. Checking Visual Studio Code

Open Visual Studio Code. From the Terminal menu located at the top of the screen, select New Terminal. This will open a terminal at the bottom of Visual Studio Code. In the terminal, type

python --version

If you see the same message as before, e.g. Python 3.9.7, then Visual Studio Code should be installed and working correctly.