5.1 Setup & Prerequisites

Last updated on 2025-05-02 | Edit this page

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Overview

Questions

  • What prerequiste knowledge is required to follow this topic?
  • How to setup your machine to follow this topic?

Objectives

  • Understand what prerequiste knowledge is needed before following this topic
  • Setup your machine to follow this topic

Prerequisite

  • Shell with Git version control tool installed and the ability to navigate filesystem and run commands from within a shell
  • Python version 3.8 or above installed
  • Understanding of Python syntax to be able to read code examples
  • Pip Python package installer
  • Visual Studio Code installed (ideally the latest version)

Setup

Shell with Git

On macOS and Linux, a bash shell will be available by default.

If you do not have a bash shell installed on your system and require assistance with the installation, you can take a look at the instructions provided by Software Carpentry for installing shell and Git.

Python

Python version 3.8 or above is required. Type python -v at your shell prompt and press enter to see what version of Python is installed on your system. If you do not have Python installed on your system and require assistance with the installation, you can take a look at the instructions provided by Software Carpentry for installing Python in preparation for undertaking their Python lesson.

Pip

Pip Python package should come together with your Python distribution. Try typing pip at the command line and you should see some usage instructions for the command appear if it is installed.

VS Code

The hands-on part of this topic will be conducted using Visual Studio Code (VS Code), a widely used IDE. Please download the appropriate version of Visual Studio Code for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and system architecture (e.g., 64-bit, ARM).

Alternative setup

Alternatively, if you are unable to install these tools, you can undertake the activity entirely in a web browser but you will need to register for a free account with a third-party web application called replit.