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Getting Started with Python: Choose Your Setup

Six Easy Ways to Run Python for Econometrics

Choose the simplest Python path for your device, coursework, and goals. Installation is optional when browser Python or Colab is enough.

No experience needed1 to 2 hours9 short lessons

Your setup progress

Five readiness checkpoints

0% complete

Download quick-start PDF

Choose your Python path

How would you like to use Python?

Start with the easiest option that fits your device. You are not committing forever.

Easiest

Run Python directly in Ceteris Lab

No installation needed. Run supported Python examples directly inside Ceteris Lab lessons.

Difficulty: Very easy
Install?: No
Internet?: Yes
Time: 1 minute

Best for

Beginners
Quick exercises
School computers
Short econometrics examples

Try Python Now

No installation

Google Colab

Run Python notebooks in your browser using a Google account.

Difficulty: Very easy
Install?: No
Internet?: Yes
Time: 5 minutes

Best for

Beginners
Chromebook users
Multiple computers
Cloud notebooks

Open Google Colab

Recommended for coursework

Python + JupyterLab

Install Python on your computer and use interactive notebooks locally.

Difficulty: Easy
Install?: Yes
Internet?: For setup
Time: 20-40 minutes

Best for

Econometrics coursework
Data analysis
Reproducible notebooks
Larger datasets

Install Python Install JupyterLab

Recommended for projects

Python + Visual Studio Code

Use Python in a professional editor with scripts, notebooks, debugging, Git, and project tools.

Difficulty: Medium
Install?: Yes
Internet?: For setup
Time: 25-45 minutes

Best for

Researchers
Larger projects
GitHub users
Advanced students

Set Up Python in VS Code

All-in-one data science setup

Anaconda

Install Python with environment and package-management tools commonly used in data science.

Difficulty: Easy/medium
Install?: Yes
Internet?: For setup
Time: 30-60 minutes

Best for

Graphical environment tools
Conda environments
Many scientific packages

Download Anaconda

Already have Python?

Existing Python installation

Check your Python version, environment, packages, and notebook kernel before starting.

Difficulty: Easy
Install?: Already installed
Internet?: No
Time: 5-10 minutes

Best for

Returning Python users
Existing research computers
Students who already use notebooks

Check My Setup

Four quick questions

Which setup fits you?

Choose one answer in each row. There is no wrong answer, and you can change paths later.

1. Can you install programs on your computer?

2. What device are you using?

3. What do you want to do?

4. How comfortable are you with computers?

Answer all four questions to see a recommendation.

Compare the six methods

The table scrolls inside its own area on a phone, without making the page wider.

Method	Install?	Internet?	Difficulty	Best for	Notebooks	Large projects	Ceteris recommendation
Ceteris Lab	No	Yes	Very easy	Lessons and quick practice	Open larger labs	Small	Best first step
Google Colab	No	Yes	Very easy	Cloud notebooks	Yes	Medium	Good no-install path
Python + JupyterLab	Yes	Setup only	Easy	Econometrics coursework	Yes	Medium	Coursework choice
VS Code	Yes	Setup only	Medium	Research and projects	Yes	Large	Project choice
Anaconda	Yes	Setup only	Easy/medium	Conda environments	Yes	Large	Optional all-in-one
Existing Python	Done	No	Easy	Current Python users	Check kernel	Any	Run setup check

Which should I choose?

New to Python: Ceteris Lab or Google Colab.
Taking the full course: Python + JupyterLab.
Doing research or larger projects: VS Code.
Prefer an all-in-one distribution: Anaconda.

Step-by-step lessons

From first run to setup ready

Troubleshooting center

Start with the safe check

Python is not recognized

The command name or PATH may differ on your computer.

Windows

py --version

macOS or Linux

python3 --version

ModuleNotFoundError

The package may be missing from the interpreter that is running your code.

Check the interpreter

import sys
print(sys.executable)

- Install into that environment.
- Check the notebook kernel before reinstalling packages.

pip is not recognized

Run pip through a known Python interpreter.

Standard

python -m pip --version

Windows alternative

py -m pip --version

My notebook cannot find pandas

Your notebook kernel and terminal may be using different environments.

Check the notebook interpreter

import sys
print(sys.executable)

Permission denied

Use a virtual environment, Google Colab, or Ceteris browser Python. Administrator or root installation is not the default solution.

- Create .venv in a folder you own.
- Use a no-install browser option on managed computers.

Jupyter opens the wrong folder

Open the terminal in your project folder before launching JupyterLab.

Launch from the project

cd path/to/project
jupyter lab

It works on one computer but not another

Reproducibility depends on more than the notebook file.

- Compare environments and package versions.
- Check file paths.
- Confirm the dataset is available.

Official resources

Use maintained instructions

Use a currently supported Python 3 release offered by the official installer. Ceteris Lab does not hard-code a version because supported releases change.

numpypandasmatplotlibstatsmodelsscikit-learnjupyterlab

Python downloads Jupyter installation VS Code Python guide Google Colab Anaconda Ceteris Lab