MacOS Steem Python Atom Setup

I got myself a new Macbook the other day and decided to make this tutorial for setting up a local Python environment, installing and setting up the Atom text editor and getting steem-python working. (of course :) )

There are no strict requirements for MacOS, so you can easily adapt this for Windows or Linux.

Anaconda

Download and install Anaconda:
https://www.anaconda.com/download/#macos
Instead of using whatever version of Python that comes with your operating system, I would recommend you to use Anaconda instead.

To save space you might also opt for miniconda, which is a much smaller alternative without any additional packages. Have a look here: https://conda.io/miniconda.html

Install a Virtual Environment

Before doing anything with Python, let's create a virtual environment. That way we will have an isolated python environment for our testing, without worrying about adding unneccessary modules to our base environment. If something goes wrong, just delete the environment and start over with a new one. Create a virtual environment with:
conda create --name testenv (replace create with remove to delete it.)

Merlin:~ daniel$ conda create --name testenv
Solving environment: done

## Package Plan ##

  environment location: /anaconda3/envs/testenv


Proceed ([y]/n)?

Preparing transaction: done
Verifying transaction: done
Executing transaction: done
#
# To activate this environment, use:
# > source activate testenv
#
# To deactivate an active environment, use:
# > source deactivate
#

Check your available environments with:
conda info -e

Install Steem-Python

Before installing steem-python make sure you are in your virtual environment.
Merlin:~ daniel$source activate testenv

Install pip in your virtual environment and then install steem-python.
(testenv) Merlin:~ daniel$ conda install pip

You need pipenv just to be able to read the requirements file.
(testenv) Merlin:~ daniel$ pip install pipenv
(testenv) Merlin:~ daniel$ git clone https://github.com/steemit/steem-python.git
(testenv) Merlin:~ daniel$ cd steem-python
(testenv) Merlin:steem-python daniel$ pip install .

Steem-python DONE!!

Download & Install Atom

Head over to https://atom.io/. Download and install it on your machine.

Atom Python

After starting Atom you will be greeted with a Welcome Guide tab. Click on Install a Package and click Open Installer.

Search for the two packages below and install them. When installing the Python Autocomplete Package, choose the Jedi, local engine.
Install PlatformIO IDE Terminal
Python Autocomplete Package

You might have to restart Atom for everything to load properly.

Let's get started with Python using Atom

Click + sign in bottom left corner to open up a terminal window.

Run: source activate testenv to activate your virtual environment.
Test with some commands in Atom's terminal windwon as shown below:

Ctrl+D to exit

Let's use Atom to create a python script

• Create a new file. Click File->New File.
• Save it with .py extension in your AnacondaProject folder, or which ever folder you prefer.
• Click Add Project Folder from the file menu and add the folder in the step above.

You should see something like in the screenshot below. Make sure your terminal window is in the correct folder and you can see your .py file:

Add some simple code and execute it via the terminal window.

Extend the code to check out the autocomplete and help functionality. Use Tab to get an indent of 4 spaces. If you never worked with Atom before it looks like it is a tab, but it will be saved as a 4 space indent.

I'm just loving it!! :)
It is a breeze to work with Atom and I really like the autocomplete functionality.

In an upcoming post I will show you how I'm using Atom as well as a markdown editor. A SteemDev tool and a Steemit post creator, all-in-one. That's pretty cool! ;)

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Thank you for your time and please let me know if you have any questions