Setting Up Programming Environment

Local Installation

An environment with Python should suffice. It is recommended to make use of Python’s virtual environments (venv) or Anaconda environments to install the necessary libraries. The following packages can then be installed using Python’s pip:

Mandatory:

• pyNN: The main API for running neuromorphic simualtions in the tutorial.

• neuron (v. 8.2.7, later versions starting with 9.x seem to have some problems with correct configuration together with pyNN): Backend for pyNN, the code actually running the neuromorphic simulations. Can be substituted with NEST (or a number of other neuromorphic backends).

• numpy: For easier numerical manipulation.

• matplotlib: For plotting.

• notebook: Jupyter notebook, if you want to run or modify the provided Jupyter notebook exercises.

Optional:

• mpi4py for parallel neuromorphic simulation

Using HPC Cluster

Same requirements apply to an HPC environment. venv or conda can be used to keep the user’s environment clean, or containers or a Jupyter environment can also be used.