Installing Python ################# Python can be installed in many ways or may even already be installed on your machine (e.g., on some Unix distros). However, to avoid conflicts between package dependencies, and for a cleaner and more reproducible workflow, phenopype should *always* be installed inside a Python virtual environment that you create first. To do so, use a package and environment management system like "mamba" (see below), "pipenv", or "conda". Install mamba through miniforge ===================================== Download and install miniforge to create virtual environments using mamba (it's like conda but *a lot* faster), which is a scientific Python distribution that comes with some packages already built in. `Download the Miniforge3 installer `_ (under "Latest installers with Python 3.10 in the base environment") for your OS and follow the installation instructions. Then, open the Miniforge prompt or terminal, and type: .. code-block:: bash mamba init If you get an error, refer to the references below for troubleshooting. .. admonition:: Troubleshooting references :class: note Consult these references for troubleshooting: - https://mamba.readthedocs.io/en/latest/mamba-installation.html - https://mamba.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user_guide/troubleshooting.html Create a virtual environment with mamba ======================================= Use mamba to create a new Python virtual environment (needs to be Python 3.9 for phenopype): .. code-block:: bash mamba create -n python=3.9 # == chosen name, e.g. "pp-env" mamba activate # activates the new environment After successful installation and activation, you should see the name of the environment in the console - e.g.: .. code-block:: bash (pp-env) D:\projects> Now all libraries installed into this environment will be isolated from those installed in other virtual environments. You can now move on to install phenopype.