How to Set Up Google CoLab
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Most, if not all, of my articles regarding how to complete Personal Finance tasks in Python utilize some type of interactive Python Notebook. To learn the ropes or practice without worrying about setting up your environment then I recommend Google CoLab.
This VERY short but sweet article will help you Set Up Google CoLab quickly.
What is Google CoLab?
Google CoLab, which is short for Colaboratory (a play on Collaborative and Laboratory), is a cloud-based resource provided by google that allows you to execute Python directly within your browser. The key advantages of using such a resource are:
- The resources (CPU, RAM, Operating System) are provided by Google.
- Most of the base Python Packages are already installed. The rest can be installed via PIP or CONDA.
- You can access and run your code from anywhere. (I will often write Machine Learning code on my PC and then execute on my Android Cell Phone when I am out and about.)
- It’s Free
How Do I Get CoLab
You can access Google CoLab here. To use the tool, you will need to login with a Gmail or a Google recognized account. From there you are pretty much immediately set up. Below is a very quick YouTube video that goes over how to use CoLab.
Now What?
That’s it. Setting up Google GoLab is that easy. For all the Python projects I present on this blog, this is the tool that I recommend so that you can focus on learning the topic at hand and not how to troubleshoot your Python environment.
