How to check whether I have IPython installed on my machine and what sequence to install these libraries?

Question

I need to use python for a machine learning course and I also need to install some external libraries. I'm a bit confused as to what the correct order is for installation of everything as I've heard the paths can get messed up if done incorrectly.

Here is what I need:

• Python version 2.7
• IPython
• The libraries available inside this package by enthought

So 1st step is to see whether I have python installed Yes: I have this version

 AM@~ >python
 Python 2.7.2 (default, Jun 20 2012, 16:23:33) 
 [GCC 4.2.1 Compatible Apple Clang 4.0 (tags/Apple/clang-418.0.60)] on darwin
 Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.

Next IPython

 How do I check if I have IPython?
 Also whats the ideal procedure to install it? Any caveats? Any special path settings?     

 Can I use brew to install it?

Enthought libraries

   Do I have to install these libraries in any particular order? before IPython? after IPython? 
   Do I have to set any specific paths?

Im trying to avoid having to install and make an error and then reinstall etc.

So any help would be much appreciated. Im running Mac OS X 10.7 (Mountain Lion).

Thanks

Answer 1

You can simply check the version, as we do with other software packages to check if a software package is installed properly or not.

Type in your terminal.

ipython --version

It'll print the version if ipython is installed properly.