Spyder IDE and Command Line: The Basics
A Step-by-Step Code-along Guide for Data Science Tools
Here, we are going to learn the Basics of the 2 most essential tools used in Data Science:
- Spyder (The Scientific Python Development Environment)
- Command Prompt (Windows Command Line)
2. Introduction to the Spyder IDE
Spyder is a powerful scientific environment written in Python, for Python, and designed by and for scientists, engineers and data analysts.
Getting Started:
Launch the Spyder App
Familiarizing the Spyder IDE App
- Code Block — Editor: This is where we write Python codes
- Current Working Directory: Link/Directory of the folder you want to work on
- Variable Explorer: Shows the variables present in the Python environment
- File Explorer: Shows the files inside the current working directory
- IPython Console : Displays the output of the Python Code
- History Log: Stores the last 100 commands you’ve typed in the console
Execute a code
- Write a python code in the code block, then click F5 to execute the code.
- Here I have tried printing “Hello FTW4”, and as seen in the IPython Console, it prints the output.
Creating Variables
- Here, I have introduced new variables called “x, y and z” where z is the sum of y and x.
- After executing the code, where I also printed the value of z, the output which is equal to 24 is now printed in the IPython Console.
- One thing to also notice is that the Variable Explorer is also populated now with the 3 declared variables “x, y and z” with their respective type, size and value.
Reading a File
Using the library “Pandas” we can read files in Spyder IDE.
- Here, after importing the pandas library, use the .read function to read files from local folder.
- Check if the Variable Explorer is now populated with the Dataframe containing the size (rows,column) of the file uploaded.
2. Command Prompt: A Guide To The Windows Command Line
The Windows command prompt is a feature that’s been a core part of the Windows operating system for a long time. It lets you communicate directly with your computer and instruct it to perform various tasks.
A step-by-step guide for the basics:
Open the Command Prompt (cmd) — Windows command line.
Navigating through folders using cmd.
From the image, boxed is the Current Working Directory.
To change the directory:
- Type in “cd” (change directory) before the desired folder to be directed. Press tab to shortcut typing or auto-complete the folder names.
To go back to the previous folder:
- Type: cd ..
Moving multiple steps at a time (folder within a folder):
- Use the separator backslash “\” . Type in Folder1\Folder2
Moving back multiple steps:
- Use “slash”. Type: cd ../..
Learning the basics of Spyder and Command Prompt has got to be an essential step for your Data Science Journey. So, it is best to get an in-depth knowledge of at least 2 Data Science tools because it will surely step up your game! To learn more about these available analysis tools in the market, you might want to check the article below:
Working with the best Python IDEs.
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