Cygwin Anaconda Arrow Keys Weird: Understanding Conda Environments

When working with conda environments, it's not uncommon to encounter unexpected behavior, especially when using Cygwin and Anaconda together. One such issue arises when trying to navigate through directories using the arrow keys in the terminal. In this article, we'll delve into what causes this weird behavior and how to overcome it.

To begin with, let's clarify that conda environments do not share packages between each other. This means that every environment has its own set of unique packages. When creating a new environment, conda creates an empty environment with no packages installed. This might seem counterintuitive, but it's essential for maintaining the integrity of each environment.

Now, let's talk about the issue at hand. When using Anaconda and Cygwin together, you might notice that the arrow keys don't behave as expected. This is because the shell still finds Python in the root directory (~miniconda3/bin) even after activating a new environment. As a result, the PATH environment variable looks like this: ~/miniconda3/envs/snowflakes/bin:~/miniconda3/bin.

To understand what's happening here, it's essential to grasp the concept of conda environments. There is no such thing as a 'separated' environment in conda; instead, each environment is created separately with its own unique name. The term 'separate' in the context of conda documentation means creating a new environment for trying out new things.

In conclusion, the weird behavior we're experiencing when using Cygwin and Anaconda together is due to the way conda handles environments. By understanding how environments work and what causes this issue, you can overcome these challenges and navigate your directories with ease.

Cygwin anaconda arrow keys weird