# Quick start

This section provides instructions for getting up and running quickly with PyMeasure.

## Setting up Python

The easiest way to install the necessary Python environment for PyMeasure is through the Anaconda distribution, which includes 720 scientific packages. The advantage of using this approach over just relying on the `pip` installer is that it Anaconda correctly installs the required Qt libraries.

Download and install the appropriate Python 3.5 version of Anaconda for your operating system.

## Installing PyMeasure

### Install with conda

If you have the Anaconda distribution you can use the conda package mangager to easily install PyMeasure and all required dependencies.

Open a terminal and type the following commands (on Windows look for the Anaconda Prompt in the Start Menu):

    conda config --add channels conda-forge
    conda install pymeasure

This will install PyMeasure and all the required dependencies.

### Install with `pip`

PyMeasure can also be installed with `pip`.

    pip install pymeasure

Depending on your operating system, using this method may require additional work to install the required dependencies, which include the Qt libaries.

### Checking the version

Now that you have Python and PyMeasure installed, open up a “Jupyter Notebook” to test which version you have installed. Execute the following code into a notebook cell.

    import pymeasure
    pymeasure.__version__

You should see the version of PyMeasure printed out. At this point you have PyMeasure installed, and you are ready to start using it! Are you ready to connect to an instrument?