Python Startup

1. Python Modules Installation

• Python shell: use "python py.setup install" in windows prompt; or "py.setup install" in python prompt. 
• ipython notebook to launch interactive python browser. 
  • To install local MathJax:

    from IPython.external.mathjax import install_mathjax
    install_mathjax()

• iPython shell:
  • tab: complement your codes
  • cd:  display or change current directory
  • run *.py to run a python file
  • !*.py to run a python file in another process

2. Python Modules Distributions

• Python(x, y) includes python, pip, numpy, scipy, matplotlib,scikit-learn, etc.
• WinPython includes python, numpy, scipy, matplotlib, scikit-learn, etc. 
• Enthought Canopy Express contains python, numpy, scipy, matplotlib, etc. 
• Unofficial Windows Binaries for Python Extension Packages
• Recommend to use packed python distributions for easy installation and configuration.
• To compile and install third-party modules on our own
  
  • easy_install, or pip installation tools (pip install module-name)
  • MinGW to intall all kinds of compilers

3. Python Search Path

• Modify system path sys.path

  import sys
  print sys.path
  sys.path.append('new/python/path/')

• Set PYTHONHOME to an alternative python installation directory
• Set PYTHONPATH to a list of paths which will be added to the beginning of "sys.path". 
• Set PATHEXT=PATHEXT;.PY;.PYM to directly run python files *.py
• Current working directory:

  import os
  os.getcwd()
  os.chdir('new dir')