Installed a package with Anaconda, can't import in Python

Question

Forgive me but I'm new to python. I've installed a package (theano) using conda install theano, and when I type conda list, the package exists

However, when I enter the python interpreter by running python, and try to import it with import theano, I get an error: "no module named theano", and when I list all python modules, theano doesn't exist.

What am I missing?

Answer 1

Probably due to the fact you have multiply python envs installed in your computer. when you do which python you will probably get the native python installed in your computer. that is /usr/bin/python

You want to use the Python that came when you installed Anaconda. Just add Anaconda path to the beginning of your $PATH. (In order to do this you probably need to edit your ~/.bashrc file (or the equivalent file for your shell) then source ~/.bashrc.

Next time you will go to will run python and import theano you'll succeed.

Answer 2

When I had this issue my python install was actually missing a "site-packages" path reference. To solve/workaround the issue do the following.

1. Search for your newly installed package from the Anaconda directory and note the path. (e.g. C:\Anaconda\site-packages)
2. Run the following in your terminal:

        python -c "import site; print(site.getsitepackages())"

Example Output: ['C:\Anaconda3', 'C:\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages']

3. If the path noted in step one is missing from the list then that's your problem. The quick fix is to move the new package to a listed site-packages folder or add the missing path to your PYTHONPATH environment variable.

If you're interested in managing your own "site-packages" locations check out the Python Doc for details on setting up a site config file.