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Installing Python 3 and Python ACT R on your Machine

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githubjimmyd edited this page Jun 9, 2023 · 14 revisions

Getting Python ACT-R Running on Your Computer

Running Python ACT-R with Google Colab (work in progress)

https://sites.google.com/view/ccmr

Check to see if you have Python3 installed on your machine

To check to see if you already have Python ACT-R on your computer, search for this file: imaginal.py If it's there, you probably already have it installed. (To search for a file, on Windows hit the windows key, and on Mac hold down the command key and hit space. Then, type whatever filename you're searching for.)

Install Python on your system (Python is a programming language). Make sure it's Python 3. To do that, go to the command line (How do I get a command line?) and type

python3 --version

If it returns some version of Python 3, such as Python 3.9.1, then you already have the right version of Python installed on your machine, and you can skip to the installing Python ACT-R part. Please note that this version of Python ACT-R does not run on Python 3.11 or higher.

Installing Python3 on your machine.

There are two ways to do it. If you're an experienced programmer, use the pip instruction below. Else you can direct download, which will be described after.

Here is a link to instructions on how to install Python: https://realpython.com/installing-python/

Installing Python on Windows

On Windows you can check to see if you have the right version or Python by going to the command prompt (How do I get a command line?) and typing

python --version'. 

  If the version is 2, you should upgrade to version 3. 

  If you go to the Python Windows download page, you can install the windows installer. You might have to restart the computer to get it to take. 
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<details>
  <summary>Installing Python on a Mac</summary>
  
You can check to see if you have the right version or Python by going to the terminal (command-space; type 'terminal'; hit enter) and typing

python3 --version


If you only have version 2, you should upgrade to version 3. 

If you go to the Python Mac download page, you can install the Mac installer. You might have to restart the computer to get it to take. 

Now you're going to want to make Python3 your default python when you use the 'python' command. 
See instructions here https://opensource.com/article/19/5/python-3-default-mac

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### Installing Python ACT-R on Your Computer

Once Python 3 is installed, go to a command line ([How do I get a command line?](https://github.com/CarletonCognitiveModelingLab/python_actr/wiki/Get-to-a-Command-Line)). 

Type

pip python_actr


If that doesn't work, try

pip3 python_actr


If you want to use the direct download, go to the main repository page at 
https://github.com/CarletonCognitiveModelingLab/python_actr

Go to the green "code" button and click the dropdown menu. Select Download Zip. 
Save the zip file somewhere. You might want to put it in your programming folder or something, but it can work on the desktop, too. 

Double-click the zip file to unzip it. Then drag the original zip file to the trash.
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