A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing IPython on Ubuntu 18.04

====================================================================================

IPython is an interactive scientific computing environment that offers high-performance and configurable execution of cells in various languages such as Python, R, Julia, etc., within the familiar Jupyter Notebook interface.

In this article, we will walk you through a detailed guide on installing IPython on Ubuntu 18.04 (and also applicable to other supported versions like Ubuntu 20.04) using pip and apt package managers while ensuring that your environment is configured properly for Python 3.8 or higher.

Prerequisites

----------

Before proceeding with the installation process, make sure you have satisfied these basic requirements:

1. A system running either Ubuntu 18.04 (Bionic Beaver) or any of its later versions like Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa).

2. You should be logged in to your machine as a user who has sudo privileges.

3. Having access to a terminal window/command-line is also mandatory; you can open it by pressing `Ctrl+Alt+T` on most Linux distributions.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

------------------------------

### Option 1: Install IPython Using apt (Easier)

If you prefer an easier and more straightforward approach, follow these steps:

#### Step 1. Update Your System's Package Index

Open a terminal window and run the following command to update your system's package index:

```bash

sudo apt-get update -y

```

#### Step 2. Install IPython Using pip3

Next, install ipykernel which provides the IPython kernel for Jupyter using pip3 (Python 3-specific version of pip):

```bash

pip3 install --user ipykernel -U --upgrade-all pip

```

#### Step 4. Install Jupyter Notebook (Optional)

If you haven't already installed the jupyter notebook package on your system, you can do so by running:

```bash

sudo apt-get install -y python3-pip python3-numpy libpython3-dev build-essential git \

&& pip3 install --user jupyterlab ipython kernel_gateway

```

### Option 2: Install IPython from Source (More Complex)

If you prefer a more manual and flexible approach or encounter issues with the above method, follow these steps:

#### Step 1. Download IPython Source Code

Open your terminal window and clone the official IPython repository using Git:

```bash

git clone https://github.com/ipython/ipython.git --depth=1 -b master

```

#### Step 2. Install Dependencies (Ubuntu)

Next, install all required dependencies for building IPupyter on Ubuntu-based systems:

```bash

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get \

-y build-essential python3-dev \

libpython3.8-dev # Replace with your Python version if needed

```

#### Step 3: Install IPython from Source

Navigate to the cloned ipython directory and run these commands to install it:

```bash

cd ~/ipython/

./setup.py develop --user --prefix=/home/your_username/.local/

export PATH=$PATH:$HOME/.local/bin

python -m pip install --upgrade jupyterlab ipykernel # Install Jupyter Lab optionally

```

Troubleshooting Tips and Further Reading

--------------------------------------

* If you encounter any errors during installation, refer to 'IPython's official troubleshooting guide'(https://github.com/ipython/ipython/blob/master/docs/installation/troubleshoot.md) for more detailed solutions.

* For further information on using IPython with Jupyter Lab or other related topics, please visit the following resources:

+ 'Jupyter Notebook Documentation'(https://jupyter.org/IPython notebooks/)

+ 'IPython User's Guide'(https://ipython.readthedocs.io/en/stable/)

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In conclusion, this article has provided a comprehensive guide on installing IPython on Ubuntu 18.04 using both pip and apt package managers while emphasizing the importance of properly configuring your environment for Python 3.8 or higher.

IPython offers an incredible array of features that make it an essential tool for data scientists, researchers, and anyone looking to leverage the power of interactive computing in their daily workflow. With these instructions at hand, you should now be well-equipped to harness the full potential of IPython on your Ubuntu system!

Install ipython ubuntu 18.04