Error running LEAN (python module)

I couldn't get python working on desktop lean either, It wouldn't recognize that I had python2.7 installedbut I followed all the directions I could find. I wonder if they could do a quick video showing how to start from scratch and run a python backtest on desktop lean like the video they have for C#

Can you please paste the an error message? From the screen shots I am guessing its because you have installed anaconda-python; I think it needs plain python?

Could you please give us more details? 
What is the runtime error message?

 made a related question today:

I think I found my problem, I haven't figured out how to fix it yet, although I'm close. I keep getting this message:

I figured out that I didn't follow the python readme.md as close as I thought. First I created a system path variable to my python 2.7 install location because I had forgotten to do that. Then I read this instruction closer: 

Rename `Lean\packages\QuantConnect.pythonnet._version_\build\Python.Runtime.win` to `Lean\packages\QuantConnect.pythonnet._version_\lib\Python.Runtime.dll`.  I didn't realise that by rename it also meant that I had to move it to the lib folder. Then I made sure that python was working in visual studio by reading some stuff here and making python 2.7 the default python environment. I tested the python interactive prompt in visual studio to confirm that it worked.

THEN I redownloaded and used a fresh version of lean. Still got the error.

Now I did a little more digging into what I think is the true cause:

Unable to find an entry point named 'PyUnicodeUCS4_FromUnicode' in DLL 'python27'.

I just checked and my python is UCS-2. I just installed it from the python website so I had no idea that I had to specify for it to install encoded a certain way. But I'm going to try and resintall python 2.7with --enable-unicode=ucs4 somewhow and see if that works. I will report back later.

Hmm nope, can't get it

OK so I got it working. I uninstalled everything, including visual studio and python and reinstalled it. I also made SURE to copy over the .dll to the right spot and deleted the DLL that was there initially. Part of the reason I think it was giving me problems was because I am on 64bit windows and I had installed multiple versions of python installed, for both 64bit and 32bit. This time I let Visual basic install python 2.7 64 bit during the installation instead of doing it myself. It installed it to a folder at C:\Python27amd64. I had to point the path in my system to C:\Python27amd64, not C:\Python27 like the readme says (which is the 32bit version by default).

Hi ,

thanks you everybody for your help.

 logs and screenshot : https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/lean-engine/mQeSrNsZ6

My install: python integration option checked during VS2017 community installation.

I didn't install python 2.7 in first intention because ananconda was already install and managing packages is very easy (pandas and dependencies in one click!)

PS: I have also an another problem with  environment": "backtesting-desktop" that I have fixed.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/lean-engine/vnE-tXRMKo0

I haven't tested my python2.7 anaconda environnement VS integration (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/python/python-environments)... It could be the problem

I am glad you made it. 
Like Jared said, that runtime error tells us that you were using the wrong dll (unfortunatelly we need a dll for each OS).

Chris Alteras a user in the slack channel manage to get it working with Anacondas:

Jared: slack channel infos are for linux user (mono install and linux command like ln -s ...)

finally I did it.

My steps:

- install python x64

(don't forget path add option )

- open console (cmd) and install panda: py -2.7 -m pip install pandas

- download lean from github

- open with VS2017 , select solution, click right and select restore nuget package

- open python environment and select Python2.7 x64 (maybe not mandatory)

- follow github instruction carefully( rename .win to .dll and paste in lib folder , etc...)

- run ...

- If you want GUI: * click solution, properties, project dependencies and click on Quanconnect.Views

* in config.json :  "environment": "backtesting-desktop"

* AND replace in config.json  ..../Debug/QuantConnect.Views.exe by .../Release/QuantConnect.Views.exe

you should have:

 "desktop-http-port": "1234",
  "desktop-exe": "../../../UserInterface/bin/Release/QuantConnect.Views.exe"

- don't forget user id ( see quantconnect , MyAccount)

Hi Guys, After reading all above I still cant get it. Could anyone provide some info on what I am doing wrong here? The following text is coming up red when i run the lean launcher

20170904 13:11:35 Error:: Loader.TryCreatePythonAlgorithm():  System.DllNotFoundException: Unable to load DLL 'python27': The specified module could not be found. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8007007E)
   at Python.Runtime.Runtime.Py_IsInitialized()
   at Python.Runtime.Runtime.Initialize()
   at Python.Runtime.PythonEngine.Initialize(IEnumerable`1 args, Boolean setSysArgv)
   at Python.Runtime.PythonEngine.Initialize()
   at QuantConnect.AlgorithmFactory.Loader.TryCreatePythonAlgorithm(String assemblyPath, IAlgorithm& algorithmInstance, String& errorMessage) in C:\QC_lean\Lean-master\AlgorithmFactory\Loader.cs:line 164
20170904 13:11:36 Error:: Engine.Run():  System.Exception: Loader.TryCreatePythonAlgorithm(): Unable to import python module ../../../Algorithm.Python/BasicTemplateAlgorithm.py. Unable to load DLL 'python27': The specified module could not be found. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8007007E): try re-building algorithm.
   at QuantConnect.Lean.Engine.Setup.ConsoleSetupHandler.CreateAlgorithmInstance(AlgorithmNodePacket algorithmNodePacket, String assemblyPath) in C:\QC_lean\Lean-master\Engine\Setup\ConsoleSetupHandler.cs:line 94
   at QuantConnect.Lean.Engine.Engine.Run(AlgorithmNodePacket job, AlgorithmManager manager, String assemblyPath) in C:\QC_lean\Lean-master\Engine\Engine.cs:line 111

Lucas: check in c:\python27 if you have python27.dll

If not try to copy C:\Windows\System32\ python27.dll (or C:\Windows\SysWOW64)  into c:\python27

Chris you are a champion. That fixed that problem, cheers!
Now I am up to the error (this pops up in the gui, but there is red in the cmd too)

2017-09-05T07:27:12.1211034Z Error Algorithm.Initialize() Error: Loader.TryCreatePythonAlgorithm(): Unable to import python module ../../../Algorithm.Python/BasicTemplateAlgorithm.py. An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8007000B): try re-building algorithm. Stack Trace:    at QuantConnect.Lean.Engine.Setup.ConsoleSetupHandler.CreateAlgorithmInstance(AlgorithmNodePacket algorithmNodePacket, String assemblyPath) in C:\QC_lean\Lean-master\Engine\Setup\ConsoleSetupHandler.cs:line 94
   at QuantConnect.Lean.Engine.Engine.Run(AlgorithmNodePacket job, AlgorithmManager manager, String assemblyPath) in C:\QC_lean\Lean-master\Engine\Engine.cs:line 111
    at QuantConnect.Lean.Engine.Setup.ConsoleSetupHandler.CreateAlgorithmInstance(AlgorithmNodePacket algorithmNodePacket, String assemblyPath) in C:\QC_lean\Lean-master\Engine\Setup\ConsoleSetupHandler.cs:line 94
   at QuantConnect.Lean.Engine.Engine.Run(AlgorithmNodePacket job, AlgorithmManager manager, String assemblyPath) in C:\QC_lean\Lean-master\Engine\Engine.cs:line 111

The first few lines in my config.json looks like:

  "environment": "backtesting-desktop",// "live-paper", "backtesting", "live-interactive", "live-interactive-iqfeed"

  // algorithm class selector
  "algorithm-type-name": "BasicTemplateAlgorithm",

  // Algorithm language selector - options CSharp, FSharp, VisualBasic, Python, Java
  //"algorithm-language": "CSharp",
  "algorithm-language": "Python",

  //Physical DLL location
  //"algorithm-location": "QuantConnect.Algorithm.CSharp.dll",
  "algorithm-location": "../../../Algorithm.Python/BasicTemplateAlgorithm.py",
  //"algorithm-location": "QuantConnect.Algorithm.FSharp.dll",
  //"algorithm-location": "QuantConnect.Algorithm.VisualBasic.dll",
  //"algorithm-location": "QuantConnect.Algorithm.Java.dll",

sorry lucas, i was quite busy these day.

step1:check project depencies: select solution level, click right, select properties

check if Views is included

step2: correct Debug with Release in config.json (read carefully my previous post)

Hi Chris, Thanks for getting back to me.

I started on a fresh pc. Running win 10 with MSVS 2017 community and python x64 2.7 that comes preinstalled with visual studio. I am still failing dismally.

The error is the same as the original post: Unable to import python module ../../../Algorithm.Python/BasicTemplateAlgorithm.py. Unable to find an entry point named 'PyUnicodeUCS4_FromUnicode' in DLL 'python27'.

Attached is a screenshot of my path location

You mentioned python.dll in syswow or system32. I have one python.dll in each (not sure if that even matters, I have tried C:\Python27amd64\python.dll (with both and with none, I still get the same error)

Lucas that error probably means you've copied the wrong DLL in place. UCS2 is the mac/linux version of the DLL -- UCS4 is the window one which it needs too work. I guess you didn't *precisely* copy the file: (note the paths)

The version is 1.0.4.4 at the moment:

I am pretty sure I have done that part correctly (I have read  the instructions and attempted about 10 installs now).

Maybe I am not installing python properly?
.

Sorry Lucas Alex tells me he can't get it going on Windows either (fine on Mac/Linux). We'll figure it out it today and update the install readme.