3-watson_api.md

Install Watson/Python API

Requirements: You need to have completed the Anaconda installation tutorial.

Objectives & Outlines

By the end of this lesson, you will be abel to:

• import the Watson package into Python

Description of this lesson:

• Type: step-by-step tutorial
• Estimated time for completion: 20 mins.

Rationale

In order to access and use functionalities of the Bluemix platform in your own python code, you need to install a python module. This module, called watson-developer-cloud, has been developed by IBM for python developers. It is an API to the Bluemix platform.

"In computer programming, an application programming interface (API) is a set of subroutine definitions, protocols, and tools for building application software. In general terms, it is a set of clearly defined methods of communication between various software components." Wikipedia

#1 Installing the Python Watson API on Anaconda

1. Open a terminal, get into the cbc environment by typing:

source activate cbc

Note: if you work in Windows just type activate cbc (discard source) in the Anaconda Prompt or launch Anaconda Prompt (cbc) from the menu..

2. Install the python module called watson_developer_cloud by typing:

pip install --upgrade watson-developer-cloud

It should display some installation messages (see screencast below).

3. Also, we will use the module python-dotenv to manage credentials to the Watson API. Type:

   pip install --upgrade python-dotenv

4. Finally, we will ue the module pytest to run test cases on your code before submitting it. Type:

   pip install --upgrade pytest

Check your work 💪

You can test your installation by running ipython. In your terminal type:

ipython

and then, within ipython, type:

import watson_developer_cloud

If you have no error message, you're done !