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Anaconda isn't an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like many other products out there. Rather, it’s a centralized method of accessing a number of packages. This book uses Jupyter Notebook as an IDE because it supports literate programming techniques. However, you could just as easily use Spyder for development, and you might be happier with it because it provides a more traditional interface. You can see a comparison at https://www.slant.co/versus/1246/15716/~spyder_vs_jupyter. The point is that Anaconda helps you manage both IDEs, along with a wealth of other packages. In addition, you can create environments for using the IDEs in specific ways. For example, you could have an environment for using Jupyter Notebook for Python and an entirely different environment for using Jupyter Notebook for R.

So, it’s important to know why this section emphasizes Jupyter Notebook when Anaconda provides access to a number of IDEs. Most IDEs look like fancy text editors, and that’s precisely what they are. Yes, you get all sorts of intelligent features, hints, tips, code coloring, and so on, but at the end of the day, they’re all text editors. Nothing is wrong with text editors, and this chapter isn’t telling you anything of the sort. However, given that Python developers often focus on scientific applications that require something better than pure text presentation, using notebooks instead can be helpful.

A notebook differs from a text editor in that it focuses on a technique called literate programming, advanced by Stanford computer scientist Donald Knuth. You use literate programming to create a kind of presentation of code, notes, math equations, and graphics. In short, you wind up with a scientist’s notebook full of everything needed to understand the code completely. You commonly see literate programming techniques used in high-priced packages such as Mathematica and MATLAB. Notebook development excels at

 Demonstration

 Collaboration

 Research

 Teaching objectives

 Presentation

This book uses the Anaconda tool collection because it provides you with a great Python coding experience but also helps you discover the enormous potential of literate programming techniques. If you spend a lot of time performing scientific tasks, Anaconda and products like it are essential. In addition, Anaconda is free, so you get the benefits of the literate programming style without the cost of other packages.

For more information about Anaconda and changes from previous editions, make sure to view the Release Notes at https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/reference/release-notes/. Most of the changes you find deal with bug fixes and updates.