Conda Installation on Ubuntu: Simplified Step-by-Step Instructions with Activation and Deactivation

Introduction:

Conda is a powerful package manager for Python and other programming languages, which allows users to easily install and manage packages, environments, and dependencies. If you are an Ubuntu user, installing Conda can help you simplify your development workflow and improve your productivity. In this article, we will provide simplified step-by-step instructions on how to install Conda on
Ubuntu, create a new environment, install packages, activate the environment, and deactivate it when needed.

Step 1: Installing Conda (& Activating the Environment)

a: Create a New Directory

Open a terminal window on your Ubuntu system. Run the following command to create a new directory:

mkdir -p ~/miniconda3

The -p option tells mkdir to create the directory if it doesn’t already exist. The ~/miniconda3 directory will be used to store the Conda installation files.

b: Download and Install Conda

Once the new directory is created, run the following command to download and install Conda:

wget https://repo.anaconda.com/miniconda/Miniconda3-latest-Linux-x86_64.sh -O ~/miniconda3/miniconda.sh

This command will download the latest version of Miniconda3 for Linux, which is the version of Conda that is recommended for most users.

c: Install Conda

bash ~/miniconda3/miniconda.sh -b -u -p ~/miniconda3

This command will start the installation process, which may take a few minutes depending on your system’s hardware and your internet connection speed.

d: Verify the Installation

Once the installation is complete, you can verify that Conda has been installed correctly by running the following command in a new terminal:

conda list

You should see a list of installed packages. Open a new terminal window (changes won’t apply to the current one). If you see a message indicating that Conda is not installed, you may need to reinstall it or check your system’s PATH
environment variable to make sure that it is properly set up.

Step 2: Creating a New Environment

To create a new environment with Conda, follow these steps:

Open a terminal window on your Ubuntu system.

Run the following command to create a new environment:

conda create --name myenv

Replace “myenv” with the name of your choice for the new environment.

Once the environment is created, you can activate it by running the following command in the terminal:

conda activate myenv

Step 3: Installing Packages (& Activating the Environment)

To install packages using Conda, follow these steps:

Open a terminal window on your Ubuntu system.

Run the following command to install a package:

conda install package_name

Replace “package_name” with the name of the package you want to install.

Once the installation is complete, you can verify that the package has been installed by running the following command in the terminal:

conda list

Step 4: Deactivating the Environment

To deactivate an environment with Conda, follow these steps:

Open a terminal window on your Ubuntu system.

Run the following command to deactivate the current environment:

conda deactivate

Once the environment is deactivated, you can verify that the packages and dependencies installed in that environment are no longer accessible by running the following command in the terminal:

source ~/.condarc

FAQs

1. What is Conda?

Conda is a package manager for Python and other programming languages, which allows users to easily install and manage packages, environments, and dependencies.

2. Why do I need Conda on Ubuntu?

Conda can help you simplify your development workflow and improve your productivity by providing a convenient way to install and manage packages, environments, and dependencies.

3. Can I use other package managers instead of Conda?

Yes, there are other package managers available for Ubuntu, such as apt-get, pip, and more. However, Conda is specifically designed for Python and other programming languages, and it provides
additional features and functionality that may be useful for some users.

4. . Do I need to install Conda every time I want to use it?

No, once you have installed Conda on Ubuntu, you can activate it each time you want to use it by running the source ~/.condarc command in the terminal.

5. Can I create multiple environments with Conda?

Yes, you can create as many environments as you need using Conda. Each environment can have its own set of packages and dependencies installed.

6. How do I activate an environment with Conda?

To activate an environment with Conda, run the source ~/.condarc command in the terminal. This will set the current directory as the root of the environment, and any packages or dependencies
installed in that environment will be accessible from that point on.

7. Can I use Conda to manage packages for other programming languages than Python?

Yes, Conda can also be used to manage packages for other programming languages, such as R, Julia, and more.

8. How do I update packages with Conda?

To update packages with Conda, run the following command in the terminal: conda update --all. This will check for and install any updates for all packages installed using Conda.

9. Can I use Conda to create a virtual environment?

Yes, Conda can be used to create a virtual environment by running the conda create --name myenv --python=3.x command, where “myenv” is the name of the environment you want to create and “3.x” is the version of Python you want to use for that environment.

10. How do I remove packages with Conda?

To remove a package with Conda, run the following command in the terminal: conda remove package_name. Replace “package_name” with the name of the package you want to remove.

11. How do i remove a conda environment?

conda deactivate
conda env remove -n myenv

The myenv Conda environment will be removed using the command above

Conclusion:

In conclusion, installing Conda on Ubuntu is a straightforward process that can help you simplify your development workflow and improve your productivity. By following the step-by-step instructions
provided in this article, you can easily create a new environment, install packages, activate the environment, and deactivate it when needed. Give Conda a try today and see how it can benefit your
development workflow!