Python Starter Guide

🧰 PART 1: Install Required Tools

1.

Install Anaconda (Python with Conda)

  1. Go to: https://www.anaconda.com/download/
  2. Download the Windows 64-bit version.
  3. Run the installer:
    • Choose “Just Me”
    • (Optional) Check the box: Add Anaconda to my PATH
    • Finish the installation.

2.

Install Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

  1. Go to: https://code.visualstudio.com/
  2. Download and install using the defaults.
  3. Check “Add to PATH” and “Register Code as editor” during install.

📦 PART 2: Download SciAnalysis

3.

Download ZIP from GitHub

  1. Visit: https://github.com/CFN-SoftBio/SciAnalysis
  2. Click the green “Code” button → Choose “Download ZIP”.
  3. Save the file to your Desktop.
  4. Right-click the ZIP file → Extract All.
  5. Rename the extracted folder to just SciAnalysis.

🧭 PART 3: Setup Environment Using Command Prompt

4.

Open Command Prompt

  • Press Windows + R, type cmd, press Enter.

5.

cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\SciAnalysis

To check, type:

dir

You should see files like setup.py.

6.

Create and Activate Conda Environment

conda create -n scianalysis_env python=3.9 -y

Then activate it:

conda activate scianalysis_env

7.

Install Required Packages (That may take long to figure out)

Install SciAnalysis dependencies:

conda install numpy

Or multiple package at once:

conda install scipy matplotlib h5py lxml pillow -y

đź“ť PART 4: Edit the Script in VS Code

8.

Open VS Code

  1. Launch VS Code.
  2. Go to File → Open Folder → Select: runWS.py

9.

Install Python Extension in VS Code

  1. Click the Extensions icon (left bar).
  2. Search “Python” and click Install.

10.

Edit the Script

  1. Open: runWS.py
  2. You can adjust input/output paths or settings as needed.

▶️ PART 5: Run the Script

Back in Command Prompt:

  1. Make sure you’re in the right folder:
cd C:\Users\YourUsername\YourDataFolder
conda activate scianalysis_env
  1. Run the WAXS analysis script:
python runWS.py