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New to Python?

This guide walks you from no Python on your machine to a working Particula installation. You will

  1. pick a code editor
  2. pick a python package manager,
  3. create / activate an isolated environment,
  4. install Particula, and
  5. explore the documentation.

1 · Learn a few Python basics 📚

New to programming? Spend an evening with the free course “Python for Everybody.”
Videos + quizzes + e‑textbook: https://www.py4e.com

2 · Install the essential tools

Choose one code editor. You can always try others later, but this is a good starting point.
The table shows the most common choices:

Tool Why you need it Where to get it
Visual Studio Code Full‑featured editor with great Python support Download VS Code
Spyder Scientific IDE, MATLAB‑like Download Spyder
Google Colab Nothing to install – runs in the browser Google Colab

3 · Install a Package Manager

Pick one package manager. Conda is used in the step‑by‑step below, but uv or pip will also work (guides linked).

Package Manager Why you need it Where to get it
uv Rust‑powered, lightning‑fast uv installation guide
pip Comes with Python pip installation guide
Conda / Miniconda Easiest way to manage multiple Pythons Miniconda installers

Install Git if you plan to contribute code (optional for pure user):

4 · Install Particula in an isolated environment

Follow their dedicated guides:

5 · Next steps

  • Ready to dive deeper? Browse the documentation and example gallery.
  • Want to contribute code? See the Contributor Setup and install Particula in editable [dev,extra] mode.

Troubleshooting 🛠️

Common pitfalls

  • command not found for python, conda, uv, or pip
    The tool is not on your system PATH. Close/re‑open the terminal or follow the installer’s instructions to add it to your environment variables.

  • No module named particula
    You’re running a Python interpreter where Particula isn’t installed.
    Activate the correct environment (conda activate particula, source .venv/bin/activate, etc.) or select it inside your editor.

  • C compiler missing
    Some optional dependencies need a compiler.

- Windows → “Build Tools for Visual Studio”
- macOS → xcode-select --install
- Linux → sudo apt install build-essential (or your distro equivalent)

  • “Permission denied” / read‑only file system Work in a directory where you have write permission, or add --user when using pip (less reproducible),
    or create the environment in your home folder.

Still stuck? Ask a 🤖

Copy the error message into a Large‑Language‑Model chat (e.g. OpenAI ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) and request an explanation plus possible fixes.