This guide will help you set up your development environment by installing required tools: Python programming language, GitHub for version control, and PyCharm IDE.
Python
Install Python version 3.14.x or higher. Earlier versions may not be compatible with this course.
Take some time to familiarize yourself with Python's .
GitHub
Create a account (if you do not already have one). As a student, you can get features for free through the .
Login to GitHub.
Create a new repository named "nlp-essentials" and set its visibility to Private.
PyCharm
Install on your local machine:
As a student, you can get for free by applying for a .
The following instructions are based on PyCharm 2024.3.x Professional Edition.
Create a new PyCharm project from GitHub:
On the PyCharm welcome screen, click [Clone Repository].
In the new window, select [GitHub] from the left menu, choose your nlp-essentials
References
: a version control system for tracking changes in files.
: a tool to create isolated Python environment.
Go to [Settings] in your repository, and select [Collaborators and teams].
Click [Add people], and add each instructor using their GitHub usernames:
Find their GitHub IDs in the "Instructors" section of the Syllabus.
Enter each username and send the collaboration invitation.
Verify that all instructors have been added as collaborators.
Configure your GitHub account:
Go to [Settings] > [Version Control] > [GitHub].
Press [+], select [Log in via GitHub], and follow the browser prompts to authorize PyCharm with your GitHub account.
Once connected, you will be able to access GitHub directly from PyCharm for version control operations.
repository, and click
[Clone]
(verify the directory name is "nlp-essentials").
Set Up a Python virtual environment:
Go to [Settings] > [Project: nlp-essentials] > [Project Interpreter].
Click [Add Interpreter] and choose [Add Local Interpreter].
In the prompted menu, choose [Add Local Environment], configure as follows, then click [OK]:
Environment: Generate new
Type: Virtualenv
Base python: the Python version you installed above
