findspark.init() IndexError: list index out of range error

Question

When running the following in a Python 3.5 Jupyter environment I get the error below. Any ideas on what is causing it?

import findspark
findspark.init()
         


        

Answer 1

This is most likely due to the SPARK_HOME environment variable not being set correctly on your system. Alternatively, you can just specify it when you're initialising findspark, like so:

import findspark
findspark.init('/path/to/spark/home')

After that, it should all work!