What is Jupyter Notebook?
By Priyal Patel for Neurotech@Davis
Jupyter Notebook is a web application that allows you to easily write, run, and visualize smaller chunks of code. It is commonly used for data preprocessing and analysis.
Installing Jupyter Notebook
First, install python by downloading newest release and choose the version where the operating system matches the device you are using (ex. macOS for a MAC).
After, install pip using either method mentioned (ensurepip or get-pip.py).
Finally, open the Terminal (Mac/Linux) or Command Prompt (Windows) and run this command:
$ pip install notebook
See 'Anaconda Navigator' in Additional Resources for an alternative installation method.
How to Use
Opening Jupyter Notebook
To open Jupyter Notebook, run this command:
$ jupyter notebook
Make sure the Terminal window that you used to run this command stays open the whole time you are using Jupyter Notebook.
Files and Folders Structure
The Files section will look very similar to Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows). If you select the box next to a folder/file, then click on an option this change will also automatically apply to your Finder/File Explorer. For example, if you delete a file, then you will need to go to your trash to recover it.
Creating a Notebook
Navigate to the folder where you want the notebook to be stored. Click "New" and select "Python 3". The new notebook will open in a new tab. If you navigate back to the folder, then a .ipynb file will have been added.
Press Save
The most important thing to remember is to periodically press the "save" button especially before closing the notebook or your laptop. After pressing the button, make sure a checkpoint created message appears.
Cells
Each box is called a cell. Using cells allows you to split up your code into multiple cells and add markdown cells to provide written explanations. Cells can be run in any order; however, if certain code requires an imported package, then the cell importing the package needs to be run first.
To add a cell, either click on "+" or select an option under "Insert". Use the dropdown to specify what type of cell (ex. code).
More operations with cells can be found under "Edit".
To run a cell, either click on "> Run" or select an option under "Cell".
See the 'Beginner Tutorial' in Additional Resources for more features and how to use them.
Closing Jupyter Notebook
Close all tabs in your browser that are running Jupyter Notebooks. Then, type (ctrl+c) and after 'y' in the Terminal used to open Jupyter Notebook:
^c
y