Configuring Python in CBS Remote Access (RA)

Python is not installed by default at CBS RA (yet). To activate Python, contact the CBS microdata team at microdata@cbs.nl.

Default Python Packages

By default, some packages are available in Python at CBS RA, such as pandas, pyreadstat or matplotlib

If you require additional packages or specific versions, follow the steps below to create and submit your own Python environment.

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Creating a Custom Python Environment

Follow these instructions to set up and submit a customized Python environment. You need to use a Windows computer.

Step 1: Check Existing Environment

• Check if environment0000.txt (replace 0000 with your actual project number) already contains the required packages and suitable versions.
• If yes: Send this file directly to CBS.
• If no: Continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Create the Environment (Windows + Conda)

Install conda locally (only needed if you do not already have Conda installed):

• Follow the official Conda installation instructions here.
• If you're unfamiliar with command-line tools, consider installing Anaconda instead.

On your local Windows machine:

conda create -n 0000 python
conda activate 0000
conda install pip
pip install package_name

Replace package_name with the packages you need (e.g., pip install numpy). If you want to install all the packages in the requirements.txt file in this repository, use pip install -r requirements.txt

Note: If using Jupyter Notebook or Spyder, install these explicitly, e.g.:

pip install jupyter spyder

Step 3: Export the Environment

Export the environment into a requirements file:

pip freeze > C:\temp\environment0000.txt

Check environment0000.txt for local paths (file://). If found, regenerate using:

pip list --format=freeze > C:\temp\environment0000.txt

Step 4: Verify Environment

Validate your environment by removing and recreating it:

conda remove -n 0000 --all
conda create -n 0000 
conda activate 0000
conda install pip
pip install -r C:\temp\environment0000.txt

Test thoroughly before submission by running python and importing your packages one by one.

Step 5: Submit Your Environment

Send your verified environment0000.txt (replace 0000 by your project number) to CBS via email.

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Using Python at CBS RA

We recommend to use Python through Visual Studio Code (VS Code), installed by default:

• In VS Code, select the Python interpreter in the bottom-right corner of the editor.

You could also use Python through Jupyter in RA, for that, open an Anaconda terminal in the RA and run:

conda activate 0000
jupyter notebook --notebook-dir=H:

This opens Jupyter in your shared directory (H:).

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Contact

This documentation is maintained by the ODISSEI Social Data Science (SoDa) team.

For technical questions or suggestions:

• File an issue in the project's issue tracker, or
• Contact Javier Garcia-Bernardo.