Setup Python on macOS

Setting up Python on macOS.

Install Visual Studio Code (VSCode) #

Download the installer file #

In your web browser, navigate to https://code.visualstudio.com/download.

Click on the button ‘Mac’, making sure that it matches the version of your operating system.

You may be redirected to another web page. However, the download should start automatically.

Unpack and install the application #

In Finder, navigate to the downloaded file. This should be a ZIP archive.

Double-click on the downloaded ZIP file to extract its contents. This should be a file called ‘Visual Studio Code.app’.

Drag and drop the file ‘Visual Studio Code.app’ into your ‘Applications’ folder.

You may then delete the ZIP archive that you downloaded.

Install VSCode extensions #

Launch VSCode.

Click on the ‘Extension’ tab on the left.

• Search for the extension named ‘Python’ and install it.

• Search for the extension named ‘Live Share Extension Pack’ and install it.

Install Anaconda navigator #

In your web browser, navigate to https://www.anaconda.com/.

Run the installer #

Double-click on the installer file that you just downloaded and progress through the screens of the installation program.

• Accept all defaults.

Test your installation #

• In the Launchpad, find and launch ‘Anaconda-Navigator’.

If prompted about a new version of Anaconda Navigator available, click ‘Yes’ to update.