Python is a multi-purpose programming language used in everything from from machine learning to web design. It uses pip (a recursive acronym for "Pip Installs Packages" or "Pip Installs Python") as its package manager to automate installation, update, and package removal.
Anaconda is a distribution (a bundle) of Python, R, and other languages, as well as tools tailored for data science (i.e., Jupyter Notebook and RStudio). It also provides an alternative package manager called conda.
So, when you install Python, you get a programming language and pip (available in Python 3.4+ and Python 2.7.9+), which enables a user to install additional packages available on Python Package Index (or PyPi).
In contrast, with Anaconda you get Python, R, 250+ pre-installed packages, data science tools, and the graphical user interface Anaconda Navigator.
Python and Anaconda are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes. Here are the key differences between Python and Anaconda:
Python:
-
Programming Language: Python is a widely-used high-level programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It provides a broad range of libraries and frameworks for various purposes, such as web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and more.
-
Interpreter: Python has an official interpreter that allows you to execute Python code. You can write Python scripts and execute them using the Python interpreter installed on your system.
-
Package Manager: Python has its package manager called pip (Python Package Installer). It is used to install and manage Python packages from the Python Package Index (PyPI) and other sources. Pip helps you download and install packages required for your Python projects.
Anaconda:
-
Distribution: Anaconda is a distribution of Python and other scientific computing packages. It includes the Python interpreter along with commonly used packages for scientific computing, data analysis, and machine learning.
-
Package Management: Anaconda comes with its own package management system called Conda. Conda allows you to create separate environments with different package versions and dependencies, making it easier to manage complex projects with conflicting requirements.
-
Additional Packages: Anaconda includes a curated collection of packages commonly used in data science, machine learning, and scientific computing. It provides popular packages like NumPy, pandas, Matplotlib, scikit-learn, and Jupyter Notebook out of the box.
-
Cross-Platform Support: Anaconda is designed to work seamlessly on different operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It simplifies the installation and management of packages, especially those with complex dependencies.
In summary, Python is a programming language, while Anaconda is a distribution of Python bundled with additional packages and tools for scientific computing. Anaconda's Conda package manager provides an environment management system, making it popular among data scientists and researchers working on complex projects.
