title: Python distributions and environments for scientific computing
body: <p>I apologize upfront if this question is too broad. I come from the MATLAB world and have relatively little experience with Python. </p>
  
  <p>After having spent some time reading about several Python-based environments and distributions for scientific computing, I feel that I still don't fully understand the landscape of solutions or the precise relationship between some notable packages, including: </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><a href="http://www.scipy.org/">SciPy</a> </li>
  <li><a href="http://code.google.com/p/spyderlib/">Spyderlib</a> </li>
  <li><a href="http://www.pythonxy.com/">Pythonxy</a></li>
  <li><a href="http://www.enthought.com/products/epd.php">Enthought Python Distribution</a></li>
  <li><a href="http://www.sagemath.org/">Sage</a></li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>More specifically:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Do any of the above packages provide similar functionality? Do they complement each other?</li>
  <li>Does the installation of any of them include or require the installation of any of the 
  others? If so, which ones include or require which?</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Less importantly, are there any other packages similar to the ones above that provide similar functionality? </p>
  
  <p>Thanks in advance</p>