U Ubuntu

6 min read

HomeUbuntuHow to Install Anaconda Linux [10 Simple Steps]

How to Install Anaconda Linux [10 Simple Steps]

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: June 13, 2024

Expert verified

TL;DR

To install Anaconda Linux, you can follow these steps:

Visit Anaconda’s official website and click the Download button.
Open a Terminal window on your Linux system.
Change to the directory where you downloaded the installer: cd ~/Downloads.
Run the installer: bash Anaconda3-2023.03-1-Linux-x86_64.sh.
Press Enter to scroll through the license text. Type yes to accept the terms.
Accept the default location (~/anaconda3) or specify a different path.
The installer will extract files and set up Anaconda.
Check the version: conda --version. The version number should display if Anaconda is installed correctly.

Continue reading the guide below to learn to install Anaconda Linux, how to remove Anaconda Linux, and common errors that can occur when installing Anaconda.

Setting up a powerful data science environment on Linux can be challenging, but don’t worry, there’s a solution. Anaconda simplifies package management and environment configuration, making your workflow smoother. In this post, I’ll guide you through the step-by-step process to install Anaconda Linux. You’ll also learn about its key features and benefits, and I’ll share best practices to help you use Anaconda efficiently. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will help you get the most out of Anaconda.

What is Anaconda?

Anaconda is a popular open-source distribution of Python and R programming languages. It simplifies package management and deployment for data science, machine learning, and scientific computing. Anaconda comes with a package manager called Conda, which makes it easy to install, update, and manage software packages and dependencies.

Key Features and Benefits

Comprehensive Package Management: Anaconda includes over 1,500 data science packages, making it a one-stop solution for many data analysis needs. You can easily install and manage these packages using the Conda package manager.
Cross-Platform Support: Anaconda works on Linux, Windows, and macOS. This makes it a versatile tool that you can use on different operating systems without compatibility issues.
Environment Management: With Conda, you can create isolated environments for different projects. This prevents package conflicts and ensures that each project uses the correct dependencies.
Integrated Development Tools: Anaconda comes with useful tools like Jupyter Notebook, Spyder, and RStudio. These tools provide interactive and user-friendly interfaces for coding, data analysis, and visualization.
Easy Package Updates: Anaconda makes it simple to update packages to their latest versions. Regular updates ensure you have access to the latest features and security improvements.

How to Install Anaconda Linux

To install Anaconda in Linux, start by downloading the installer from the official Anaconda website. Open a terminal and navigate to the download directory. Run the command bash Anaconda3-2023.03-1-Linux-x86_64.sh to start the installation.

Follow the prompts to review and accept the license agreement, and choose the installation location. Once the installer completes, verify the installation by typing conda --version in the terminal. This process ensures Anaconda is correctly set up on your Linux system.

Keep reading for the detailed steps to install Anaconda Linux:

Prerequisites

Before you install Anaconda on Linux, make sure you meet the necessary prerequisites. These include system requirements, necessary software, and preparing your Linux environment.

Operating System: Ensure you use a supported version of Linux, such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, or CentOS.
Memory: Have at least 4GB of RAM for smooth operation.
Disk Space: Ensure you have at least 3GB of free disk space for the Anaconda installation and additional space for packages and data.
Python: Anaconda includes Python, so you don’t need to install it separately. However, check if your current Python installation may conflict with Anaconda.
Utilities: Install essential utilities like curl or wget to download Anaconda. Use your package manager (e.g., apt for Debian-based systems, yum for Red Hat-based systems) to install these tools.

Visit the official Anaconda website at https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual and click on the Download button to download Anaconda Linux installer.

Open a Terminal window.

Navigate to the directory where you downloaded the Anaconda installer script.

Run the following command to start the installation:

bash Anaconda3-2023.03-1-Linux-x86_64.sh

You will be prompted to review the license agreement. Press Enter to scroll through the license text.

starting installation process for anaconda

Once you reach the end of the agreement, type yes to accept the terms.

Next, you will be asked to choose the installation location. By default, Anaconda will be installed in your home directory (~/anaconda3), but you can specify a different path if desired.

After selecting the installation location, the installer will extract the Anaconda files and set up the necessary environment.

Once the installation is complete, you will see a message indicating the successful installation of Anaconda.

To verify the installation and ensure that Anaconda is correctly set up on your Linux system, type the following command to check the Anaconda version:

conda --version

If Anaconda is installed correctly, the version number will be displayed in the Terminal.

checking Anaconda version to verify installation

How to Uninstall Anaconda Linux

There might be instances where you need to uninstall Anaconda from your Linux system, such as Upgrading to a new version of Anaconda, Switching to a different distribution or package manager, and Freeing up disk space. By following the proper uninstallation method, you can ensure a clean and complete removal of Anaconda from your Linux system. Here is how to Anaconda uninstall Linux:

Open a Terminal window.
Navigate to the directory where Anaconda is installed (e.g., ~/anaconda3).

navigating to directory where anaconda is installed

Run the following command to remove the Anaconda installation directory:

rm -rf ~/anaconda3

The command will completely uninstall Anaconda Ubuntu.

5 Best Practices for Using Anaconda

Using Anaconda effectively can greatly enhance your data science and machine learning projects. Here are five best practices to ensure you get the most out of your Anaconda installation on Linux.

📦 Use Conda Environments: Create isolated environments for different projects to avoid dependency conflicts. Use conda create --name myenv and conda activate myenv to manage environments.
🔄 Regularly Update Packages: Keep your packages up to date with conda update --all. This ensures you have the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements.
🧹 Clean Up Unused Packages: Regularly remove unused packages and environments to free up space and keep your system organized. Use conda clean --all and conda env remove --name myenv.
🛡️ Backup Environments: Export your environments with conda env export > environment.yml to create backups. This makes it easy to recreate environments on different systems or after a system crash.
📚 Use Channels Wisely: Utilize reputable channels like conda-forge for a wider range of packages. Specify the channel with -c conda-forge when installing packages to ensure compatibility and reliability.

Install Anaconda on Linux: In Conclusion

In this guide, I walked you through the step-by-step process to install Anaconda on your Linux system and shared some best practices to make the most out of your Anaconda installation. By following these steps and tips, you can ensure a smooth installation and efficient management of your data science environment.

For further learning, you might find these related articles useful:

Check how to verify the version of a Python package to ensure compatibility and smooth operation of your projects.
Explore the process of installing Python 3 on Ubuntu to take advantage of the latest features and improvements in Anaconda.
Additionally, find out how to fix the “bash: python: command not found” error in Linux to troubleshoot and resolve common issues in your Python environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I uninstall Anaconda without removing the environments?

If you uninstall Anaconda without removing the environments, the environments and their associated packages will remain intact on your system. This means the Python packages and configurations specific to those environments will still be present. While this can be advantageous if you plan to reinstall Anaconda in the future and retain the environments, it can also lead to clutter and consume unnecessary disk space if you no longer need them. To maintain a clean system, you can manually delete the environments by navigating to the Anaconda installation directory and removing the corresponding environment directories.

How can I transfer my Anaconda environments to another Linux system?

To transfer your Anaconda environments to another Linux system, you can leverage the conda env export command. On the source system, activate the desired environment and execute the following command to export its specifications to a YAML file: conda env export > environment.yaml. Next, copy the generated environment.yaml file to the target Linux system. Create a new environment on the target system using the exported specifications with the following command: conda env create -f environment.yaml. This command will recreate the environment with the same packages and dependencies, allowing you to transfer and replicate your Anaconda environment seamlessly.

Does uninstalling Anaconda delete my Python installations?

Uninstalling Anaconda does not delete your system’s default Python installations. Anaconda operates independently and does not interfere with the system-level Python installations. However, it’s important to note that if you have created Python environments within Anaconda, those environments will be removed during the uninstallation process. These environments are specific to Anaconda and contain packages and configurations separate from the system-level Python. Therefore, if you rely on any custom environments within Anaconda, it’s recommended to back up any necessary data or export the environment specifications before proceeding with the uninstallation process.

Ojash

Author

Ojash is a skilled Linux expert and tech writer with over a decade of experience. He has extensive knowledge of Linux's file system, command-line interface, and software installations. Ojash is also an expert in shell scripting and automation, with experience in Bash, Python, and Perl. He has published numerous articles on Linux in various online publications, making him a valuable resource for both seasoned Linux users and beginners. Ojash is also an active member of the Linux community and participates in Linux forums.

Akshat

Reviewer

Akshat is a software engineer, product designer and the co-founder of Scrutify. He's an experienced Linux professional and the senior editor of this blog. He is also an open-source contributor to many projects on Github and has written several technical guides on Linux. Apart from that, he’s also actively sharing his ideas and tutorials on Medium and Attirer. As the editor of this blog, Akshat brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to provide readers with valuable insights and advice on a wide range of Linux-related topics.