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Installing Python

Follow these steps to install Python, create an isolated environment, and verify your installation.

1. Install Python

  1. Download the installer from python.org/downloads.
  2. Run the downloaded installer.
  3. Important: On the first screen, check the box labeled "Add python.exe to PATH".
  4. Click Install Now, then click Close when finished.
  1. Download the installer from python.org/downloads.
  2. Run the installer and complete the wizard.
  3. In Finder, open Applications > Python 3.x and double-click Install Certificates.command.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv idle

Verify the installation in your terminal:

python --version

python3 --version

2. Create a Virtual Environment

Open your terminal, create a project folder, and navigate into it:

mkdir electrochem_project
cd electrochem_project

Create the virtual environment:

python -m venv .venv

python3 -m venv .venv

Activate the environment:

.venv\Scripts\activate.bat

.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

source .venv/bin/activate

Once activated, your terminal prompt will show (.venv).

3. Install Soft Potato

With your environment activated, install softpotato, numpy and matplotlib:

pip install softpotato numpy matplotlib

4. Test the Installation

Run a quick check in your terminal:

python -c "import softpotato, numpy, matplotlib; print('Installed successfully!')"

To verify calculations and plotting, run a test script:

  1. Launch IDLE from your activated terminal: 
    python -m idlelib
  2. Click File > New File (Ctrl+N or Cmd+N).

  3. Paste the following script:

    import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from softpotato.analytical import cottrell

# Experimental parameters
n = 1
c_bulk = 1.0  # mol/m^3
D = 7.5e-10  # m^2/s
electrode_radius = 1.5e-3  # m
area = np.pi * (electrode_radius**2)

# Time grid
t = np.linspace(0.01, 5.0, 500)

# Calculate current
i_amperes = cottrell(t=t, n=n, D=D, c_bulk=c_bulk, area=area)
i_microamps = i_amperes * 1e6

# Plot
plt.figure(figsize=(7, 4.5))
plt.plot(
    t,
    i_microamps,
    color="#FD8031",
    linewidth=2.5,
    label="softpotato.analytical.cottrell",
)
plt.xlabel("Time (s)")
plt.ylabel("Current (µA)")
plt.title("Installation Verification: Chronoamperometry Transient")
plt.grid(True, linestyle="--", alpha=0.5)
plt.legend()
plt.tight_layout()
plt.show()

  4. Save the file as test.py and press F5 (or click Run > Run Module). (Alternatively, run python test.py directly from your terminal).

A plot window will appear confirming the installation is ready:

Chronoamperometry verification plot

5. Starting Python Again

To resume work in a new terminal session, navigate to your project folder and activate the environment:

  1. Open your terminal and navigate to your project folder: 

    cd electrochem_project

  2. Activate the virtual environment:

    .venv\Scripts\activate.bat

    .venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

    source .venv/bin/activate

  3. Launch your script or editor:

    • Run a script: python test.py
    • Launch IDLE: python -m idlelib
    • Interactive Python shell: python

6. Adding New Libraries

To install additional scientific packages (such as scipy or pandas), ensure your virtual environment is active (.venv) and run pip install:

pip install scipy

Verify that the new package is available:

python -c "import scipy; print('SciPy installed successfully!')"