Without a doubt, the age of data as a currency is here. It is the sole responsibility of business owners to make the switch or fall short of maximizing the advantages of the revolution. With this in mind, databases have become some of the most valued assets of any business. A database is a collection of information stored in a format that allows easy access, manipulation, and update of stored data. 

Apache Superset has established itself as a giant in the field of Data Visualization and Data Exploration. Python is a scripting language that has become a household name due to its widespread applications and its growing importance in the field of Data Science. This post will tackle Superset Python installation on different OS in great detail.

What is Python?

Python Logo

Python is a high-level, interactive, interpreted, and object-oriented scripting language. Python was designed to be highly readable which is reflected in its frequent usage of English keywords. This is opposed to other languages that make use of punctuation. A few key characteristics of Python are as follows:

  • Python can be easily integrated with C++, C, COM, CORBA, Java, and ActiveX.
  • Python supports automatic garbage collection.
  • It supports structured and functional programming methods as well as Object-Oriented Programming.
  • Python can be compiled to byte-code for building large applications or be used as a scripting language.
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Prerequisites

Before setting up Apache Superset, there are various factors you should keep in mind. They include: 

  • Apache only supports Python version 3.7 and above. Make sure to update your Python version before installing the software. 
  • Currently, Apache Superset does not have support for windows. Therefore the best option for such users is to install a virtual environment such as VirtualBox and then proceed and install Ubuntu or Linux software in the tool. 

Understanding the Superset Python Installation Setup on Ubuntu

You can carry out the following steps to setup Superset Python Installation on Ubuntu:

Step 1: Installation of Dependencies

Since the software has some OS-level dependencies on Ubuntu, it’s a good idea to begin by installing these first. You can do the by running the following command.

sudo apt-get install build-essential libssl-dev libffi-dev python-dev python-pip libsasl2-dev libldap2-dev

Step 2: Upgrading Python Pip and Setup Tools

You need to upgrade to the latest version of pip for you to install superset without any hitches. You can do this by keying in the following command: 

pip install --upgrade setuptools pip

Step 3: Installation and Initialization of Apache Superset

Once everything is in check, you can now go on ahead and install Apache Superset by keying in the following commands, which will initialize the tool. 

pip install apache-superset

Then, define mandatory configurations, SECRET_KEY and FLASK_APP:

export SUPERSET_SECRET_KEY=YOUR-SECRET-KEY
export FLASK_APP=superset

Then, you need to initialize the database:

superset db upgrade

Finish installing by running through the following commands:

# Create an admin user in your metadata database (use `admin` as username to be able to load the examples)
superset fab create-admin

# Load some data to play with
superset load_examples

# Create default roles and permissions
superset init

# To start a development web server on port 8088, use -p to bind to another port
superset run -p 8088 --with-threads --reload --debugger

Step 4: Logging into Apache Superset

After following the instructions laid out above, the next step is to head on to your preferred browser and type in http://localhost:8088. You should log in using the credentials you used while creating the superset. 

That’s it! You have successfully installed Apache Superset in your OS!

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Understanding the Superset Python Installation Setup on Windows

For windows users, the best option is to install a virtual environment such as Virtualbox and install Ubuntu Desktop here. Once this is done, you can follow the instructions laid out above and install and initialize Apache Superset.  You need to allocate enough space for both the OS and dependencies. This includes at least 8GB of RAM and 40GB of storage space.

Best Practices for Performing Apache Superset Python Installation

  • Isolate Dependencies: Create a dedicated virtual environment for your Superset installation using venv or virtualenv. This isolates project dependencies and prevents conflicts with other Python projects.
  • Install Superset in editable mode (pip install -e .) to allow for easier development and updates. This makes it easier to modify the Superset source code and test changes.
  • For production environments, consider using Docker or Docker Compose for easier deployment, scaling, and management.
  • Ensure you have a compatible Python version installed (Python 3.7 or later is recommended).
  • System Requirements: Meet the system requirements for Superset (e.g., sufficient RAM and disk space).

Conclusion

From the instructions above, you have successfully installed Apache Superset using Python into your system-Ubuntu or Windows. You can now connect a database of your choosing and visualize your data in real-time.  There are many advantages to using the software other than the fact that it is free. For instance, as can be seen from the instructions above, the process is pretty straightforward.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a superset in Python?

In Python, a superset refers to a set that contains all elements of another set (the subset). For example, A is a superset of B if every element of B is in A. Use the issuperset() method to check this relationship.

2. Can you use Python in superset?

Yes, Apache Superset supports using Python for creating custom SQLAlchemy-based database connectors and integrating Python scripts for advanced analytics or automation outside the platform. However, visualizations are primarily SQL-driven.

3. What is the superset of Python language?

There isn’t a specific “superset” language for Python, but Cython and Jython extend Python’s capabilities. For example:
Cython: Combines Python with C for performance enhancements.
-Jython: Integrates Python with Java for JVM-based applications.

Orina Mark
Technical Content Writer, Hevo Data

Orina is a skilled technical content writer with over 4 years of experience. He has a knack for solving problems and a sharp analytical mind. Focusing on data integration and analysis, he writes well-researched content that reveals important insights. His work offers practical solutions and valuable information, helping organizations succeed in the complicated world of data.