Confusion between Python and Anaconda

Question

Recently I have started programming in Python (Python 3.5) on my Linux OS. But I am confused about Anaconda. What is it actually? Is it a version of Python or something else? If I do not install Anaconda will there be any limitations?

Answer 1

Anaconda is a free and open-source Python distribution and collection of hundreds of packages related to data science, scientific programming, development and more. Python is included in the Anaconda distribution. It is not an IDE (like PyCharm that mentioned in the comments) though it can be configured with most IDEs. I will note that the distribution includes an IDE called Spyder. It also comes with a platform-agnostic package manager called conda.

You can read more here: https://docs.continuum.io/anaconda/