PyTorch is an open-source machine learning library that was developed by Facebook’s AI research group. It is a popular tool for deep learning and neural network programming. It offers a variety of capabilities and is used extensively for tasks like image recognition, natural language processing, and reinforcement learning. It has become increasingly important to learn how to install PyTorch on Ubuntu 18.04. This blog post will provide all the necessary steps for installing PyTorch on your Ubuntu 18.04 machine.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we start with the installation process, you need to make sure that you have the following things:
- A computer running Ubuntu 18.04 or a compatible operating system
- An active internet connection
- A user account with administrative privileges
What Requires Your Focus?
The installation process for PyTorch on Ubuntu 18.04 is fairly straightforward. You just need to take care of the following things when following the process:
- Follow the instructions carefully and ensure that you have the necessary dependencies installed.
- Check that the installation is complete by running a simple PyTorch command.
Different Methods to Install PyTorch on Ubuntu 18.04
There are several ways to install PyTorch on Ubuntu 18.04. Some of the methods are listed below:
Method 1: Via Anaconda
Before you start the installation process, you need to make sure that Anaconda is installed on your system. If it is not, then you can download it from the Anaconda website. Follow the steps below to install PyTorch using Anaconda:
Step 1: Open the terminal and navigate to the Anaconda directory using the following command:
"`cd /path/to/anaconda"`
Step 2: Once you are in the Anaconda directory, create an environment and activate it:
"`
conda create -n pytorch_env
conda activate pytorch_env
"`
Step 3: Install PyTorch using the following command:
"`
conda install pytorch torchvision -c pytorch
"`
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Pre-built binaries for GPU and CPU available
- Managed environment
Cons:
- Requires Anaconda to be installed on the system
- Large installation size due to the Anaconda environment
Method 2: Via pip
PyTorch can also be installed using pip. Follow the steps below to install PyTorch using pip:
Step 1: Open the terminal and install pip using the following command:
"`
sudo apt-get install python3-pip
"`
Step 2: Install PyTorch using pip:
"`
pip3 install torch torchvision
"`
Pros:
- Easy to install
- No dependencies required
- Narrower environment scope
Cons:
- Requires manual management of dependencies
- Build time may be longer
- Dependency conflicts may occur
Method 3: Via source
PyTorch can also be installed using source code. This method is suitable for advanced users who want to compile and modify the PyTorch source. Follow the steps below to install PyTorch from source:
Step 1: Install the necessary dependencies using the following command:
"`
sudo apt-get install python3-dev python3-pip python3-venv build-essential libjpeg-dev libpng-dev libtiff-dev git cmake libgtk2.0-dev pkg-config libavcodec-dev libavformat-dev libswscale-dev libv4l-dev libxvidcore-dev libx264-dev libatlas-base-dev gfortran libhdf5-dev
"`
Step 2: Clone the PyTorch repository from GitHub using the following command:
"`
git clone –recursive https://github.com/pytorch/pytorch
"`
Step 3: Navigate to the PyTorch directory and install PyTorch from source using the following command:
"`
export NO_CUDA=1
export NO_DISTRIBUTED=1
python3 setup.py install
"`
Pros:
- Flexible
- Ability to customize PyTorch’s behavior.
Cons:
- Advanced knowledge required
- Not suitable for beginners
- Install time may be longer, due to build time
Why Can’t I Install PyTorch?
There are several reasons why PyTorch installation may fail. Some of the common reasons are:
- Missing dependencies
- Incorrect installation command or syntax
- Permissions errors
Here are some solutions to fix these issues:
1. Missing Dependencies
If you encounter dependency errors, the following command can be used to install all dependencies:
"`sudo apt-get install python3-dev python3-pip python3-venv build-essential libjpeg-dev libpng-dev libtiff-dev git cmake libgtk2.0-dev pkg-config libavcodec-dev libavformat-dev libswscale-dev libv4l-dev libxvidcore-dev libx264-dev libatlas-base-dev gfortran libhdf5-dev"`
2. Incorrect installation command or syntax
Double-check the syntax and installation command, making sure there are no typos or errors. If possible, try copying and pasting the commands directly into your terminal.
3. Permissions Errors
Sometimes installation may be blocked due to lack of permissions by the user account. Try using the sudo command for installation or temporarily switch to the root user account and then attempt to install the software.
Implications and Recommendations
PyTorch is a powerful tool for machine learning projects and can be used to create state-of-the-art applications. Whether you are an aspiring machine learning engineer or just looking to deepen your knowledge of neural networks, PyTorch is an excellent tool to learn. The methods outlined above will help you get started with using PyTorch on Ubuntu 18.04. Whether you choose to install it via Anaconda, pip, or from source, PyTorch has a great community of developers and users who are always willing to help and collaborate.
5 FAQs About PyTorch
Q. What is PyTorch?
A. PyTorch is an open-source machine learning library used for developing and training neural networks.
Q. What are the advantages of using PyTorch?
A. PyTorch offers dynamic computation, intuitive debugging, and an easy-to-use interface, making it an excellent tool for developing and experimenting with neural networks.
Q. What kind of projects can be created using PyTorch?
A. PyTorch can be used for various machine learning and deep learning applications, such as computer vision, natural language processing, and reinforcement learning.
Q. Is PyTorch faster than other machine learning libraries?
A. PyTorch is a fast machine learning library, and its performance is approximately the same as TensorFlow.
Q. Is PyTorch hard to learn?
A. PyTorch is a well-documented library with a large community of developers who can help users overcome any difficulties they encounter. While a basic knowledge of programming and machine learning would be helpful, PyTorch is relatively easy to learn even for beginners.
In Conclusion
This post has provided a step-by-step guide on how to install PyTorch on Ubuntu 18.04 via Anaconda, pip, and source code. Given the flexibility and versatility of PyTorch, it can be used to create state-of-the-art machine learning applications and is an excellent tool to add to your machine learning toolkit. We hope that this post has proven helpful in your quest to install PyTorch and that you are well on your way to developing powerful and innovative machine learning models.
