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Python miniconda

Flore W
Flore W
4,744 Points
Posted by Flore W
Flore W
4,744 Points

Are there downsides to installing applications and packages if I am not using them?

I am going through this Anaconda tutorial in order to start using Panda. After watching this video, I think miniconda is likely more suitable for my use than Anaconda. I've already installed Anaconda, so my question is quite general to installing new apps and packages: what are the downsides (disk space or other) to keeping unused apps and packages? Is there a best practice here or should we systematically delete unused apps?

3 Answers

Dulio Denis
Dulio Denis
14,457 Points

I'll be honest - I should uninstall - but I'm a hoarder and don't. When I get a new computer is the time I start to install what I need again which is very minimal.

So far I am up to the 'Using Databases in Python' and am only using python3 with Visual Studio Code and have only needed to install pytz and peewee.

Flore W
Flore W
4,744 Points
Flore W
Flore W
4,744 Points

ok thanks!

Dulio Denis
Dulio Denis
14,457 Points
Dulio Denis
Dulio Denis
14,457 Points

This is more of a style question. I tend to only install what I need and when I need something I install it.

I wouldn't worry too much about disk size now since we are learning - unless you are really running low. Once we need to deploy to production then this style of only installing what you need helps because you know exactly what you would need on Heroku or PythonAnywhere or whatever your hosting solution is.

Hope that helps.

Flore W
Flore W
4,744 Points
Flore W
Flore W
4,744 Points

thanks, that's helpful. Do you ever uninstall things that you haven't used for a while, or do you just leave them on?

Mark Chesney
Mark Chesney
11,747 Points
Mark Chesney
Mark Chesney
11,747 Points

thanks, that's helpful. Do you ever uninstall things that you haven't used for a while, or do you just leave them on?

Hi Flore. I agree with what's been said:

I wouldn't worry too much about disk size now since we are learning - unless you are really running low.

If you're not seeing a slow performance, then don't worry. If you set quarterly or bi-annual reminders for yourself somewhere, then you can include reminder notes to defragment your hard disk and uninstall stuff. This can be two hours blocked out in your calendar. That's just an idea.

Great questions, of course -- it's something I think about too