It is important to note from the outset that most scientific computing is done in a unix environment, which is available on Macs via Terminal or X11 (now provided by XQuartz). Users of Windows machines need not worry. Most research is done in programming languages which can be installed on multiple machine architectures and used via different interactive development environments (IDEs). So if you don’t want to set up a Unix-like environment on your Windows computer, you will probably be fine for the summer, but you will either want to become very proficient at Windows or else set up a Unix-like environment. A Mac, if one can afford it, is a great investment.
- The easiest, fastest, and arguably best option is to install Cygwin/X and Putty.
- Cygwin provides a Unix-like terminal
- X provides very necessary X-windows functionality. X-windows is a graphics display program.
- PuTTY is an SSH program, allowing the user to access remote systems
- Get it here
- Alternatively, Windows is a more than capable operating system. Translations from Unix to Window are available online (e.g., here)
- Install a virtual machine. This is also a very simple solution. The only problem is that everything will be stored on the virtual machine and will run considerably slower.
- Install a second operating system. With a USB drive, it is very easy to install a second, or overwrite the existing, operating system. I would not recommend deleting Windows, especially without a backup. Make sure you give yourself enough space, and that you don’t remove any useful partitions. I recommend Ubuntu 14 since it is the Long Term Support (LTS) version.
- This method ensure the greatest compatibility.
Mac users:
- You’re already done.
- Recommendations: Install MacPorts or Brew, or both.
During Days 1 and 2 setup will be first priority.
What shell are you using?
echo $SHELL
For those on Windows system, you will need to install Cygwin/X. This is actually surprisingly simple.
Things to make sure to install
- openssh
- expect
- emacs and/or nano
- gnutools
- NOT python
PuTTY makes can make it easier to SSH (make a Secure Shell connection) to a remote server or host. It also ads SFTP, SCP capabilities. It is also possible to install openssh via Cygwin/X
- There is a great debate going on: Python 2.x vs Python 3.x[a]
- Install Python 2.7
- Use the graphical installer when possible
You now have a Python. Yes, Mac’s came with a Python distribution, but Anaconda provides an easy platform for updates, and package management.
[a]Note -- We should choose whichever one Ben Montet is using. This is likely Python 2.7