How to Start JupyterLab: A Beginner's Guide

How to Start JupyterLab: A Beginner’s Guide

JupyterLab is an open-source web-based interactive development environment for working with data, code, and visualization. It is a popular tool among data scientists and software developers for creating and sharing Jupyter notebooks. In this beginner’s guide, we will walk you through the steps to start JupyterLab.

Step 1: Install Anaconda

Anaconda is a popular distribution of the Python programming language that includes JupyterLab. You can download and install Anaconda from their official website. Once you have downloaded and installed Anaconda, you will have access to JupyterLab.

Step 2: Launch JupyterLab

To launch JupyterLab, you need to open the Anaconda Navigator. You can do this by searching for “Anaconda Navigator” in your computer’s search bar or by clicking on the Anaconda Navigator icon in your applications folder.

Once you have opened the Anaconda Navigator, you will see a list of available applications. Click on the JupyterLab icon to launch it.

Step 3: Create a New Notebook

Once you have launched JupyterLab, you will see the JupyterLab interface. To create a new notebook, click on the “File” menu and select “New Notebook” from the drop-down menu. You can also create a new notebook by clicking on the “+” button in the file browser sidebar.

Step 4: Choose a Kernel

When you create a new notebook, you will be prompted to choose a kernel. A kernel is a program that runs and executes the code in your notebook. JupyterLab supports several kernels, including Python, R, and Julia.

Choose the kernel that corresponds to the programming language you will be using in your notebook. If you are using Python, choose the “Python 3” kernel.

Step 5: Start Writing Code

Once you have created a new notebook and chosen a kernel, you can start writing code in your notebook. JupyterLab provides a cell-based interface that allows you to write and execute code in individual cells.

To write code in a cell, simply click on the cell and start typing. When you are ready to execute the code in the cell, press the “Shift” and “Enter” keys at the same time.

Step 6: Save Your Notebook

It is important to save your notebook regularly to prevent losing your work. To save your notebook, click on the “File” menu and select “Save Notebook” from the drop-down menu. You can also save your notebook by clicking on the “Save” button in the toolbar.

Conclusion

JupyterLab is a powerful tool for data scientists and software developers. It allows you to create and share interactive notebooks that contain code, data, and visualization. By following the steps outlined in this beginner’s guide, you can start using JupyterLab to create your own notebooks and explore the world of data science and programming.