Anaconda

Anaconda is a Python distribution that includes many mathematical and scientific packages. Anaconda also includes Conda, a package manager that can be used to install additional programs and libraries.

Anaconda is only authorized for course work at UB without a license.

For research and other work, a license must be procured or official Anaconda packages may not be used. A license-free alternative to Anaconda is Miniforge, which is described on the Conda page.

Anaconda or Conda

Anaconda includes the Conda package manager along with many other packages.

For most cases, SENS recommends using Conda instead of Anaconda. An edition of Conda known as Miniforge uses free and openly-licensed packages from the conda-forge project by default. Conda also uses significantly less space and installs much faster than Anaconda.

If you are authorized to use Anaconda and want to get started with many common packages, installation and usage instructions follow.

Installation

For UB-owned Windows devices maintained by SENS, Anaconda is available in Software Center.

For UB-owned macOS devices maintained by SENS, Anaconda is available in Self Service.

For personally-owned devices, an Anaconda installer can be obtained from Anaconda's download page.

Usage

Navigator

Anaconda Navigator acts as a hub for using and managing Anaconda.

Conda

Conda can be used to install additional software packages. SENS strongly recommends creating separate environments to install new packages into, leaving the default environment with default packages.

More information on how to use Conda is on the Conda page.