Python Questions - July 25, 2015

[BartC]

On 25/07/2015 12:36, tandrewjohnson at outlook.com wrote:

> For intensive numerical calculations, I'd recommend using the NumPy module, as well as the 64-bit version of Python is possible.

How do you actually install Numpy in Windows?

I had a go a month or two ago and couldn't get anywhere.

I realise that this is something that apparently no-one else on the 
planet has no problem with except me, but nevertheless it would be 
interesting to know exactly how it's done.

I've just at numpy.org, they direct me to scipy.org, which talks about 
sources and binaries at sourceforge.

The only thing on offer there is numpy-1.9.2.zip, which I duly download 
and install onto my machine.

Now I have a directory tree with some 1200 files in it.

I look at README.txt, which tells me nothing much, except how to test it 
after installing. So I look at INSTALL.txt instead, which is now going 
on about *building* Numpy; but I thought
  this was the binary of it!

Then it goes on to suggest suitable free compilers to use. My thought at 
that point was, 'forget it'! I can't be the only one either. (I know 
from experience that building complex packages under Windows, especially 
those that originate under Unix or Linux, is a bloody nightmare, and 
hardly ever works.)

Apart from which, INSTALL.txt doesn't actually say what do next.

Is this DIY approach really the only way to get numpy, or is there a 
proper installer that takes care of all the details?

And is there anything I've done wrong above? (Apart from trying to use 
Windows.)

-- 
Bartc