Quick guide to installing Python 2.7
You can download version 2.7 of python from the python homepage
http://www.python.org/
IDLE is the programming environment for Python.
Once you've downloaded and installed the software, locate the IDLE programming environment. You should find this under Python 2.7 in your 'All programs' menu. If it isn't, on windows machines there is a batch file that you can run. It's well hidden though, you'll probably find it here:
C:\Python27\Lib\idlelib\idle.bat
It's worth creating a shortcut to the .bat file and saving it on your desktop, or somewhere else that you can find it easily.
http://www.python.org/
IDLE is the programming environment for Python.
Once you've downloaded and installed the software, locate the IDLE programming environment. You should find this under Python 2.7 in your 'All programs' menu. If it isn't, on windows machines there is a batch file that you can run. It's well hidden though, you'll probably find it here:
C:\Python27\Lib\idlelib\idle.bat
It's worth creating a shortcut to the .bat file and saving it on your desktop, or somewhere else that you can find it easily.
Detailed installation instructions for Home Computers - if you're having problems
Windows users:
To install on your computer, go to this webpage
http://www.python.org/download/
and choose the option
· Python 2.7.5 Windows Installer (Windows binary -- does not include source)
This will download a .msi file. (MSI stands for Microsoft Installer). When it’s downloaded, click it to run and install the software.
You may have a Python icon on your home screen, but the program that you want isn’t called Python at all, it’s called IDLE
GUI stands for Graphics User Interface. It’s what we use at school. From there you can either type commands into the main output window to have them run immediately, or choose ‘File’ ‘New Window’ to open a new coding window into which you can type a full program.
Mac Users
Python comes pre-installed on Mac OS X, but it's often one or even two years old. The recommendation of the "MacPython" community is to upgrade your Python by downloading and installing a newer version from here:
http://www.python.org/download/releases/2.7.5/
Check your version of OSX and download the right one.
This installation will also give you the IDLE environment which will be really helpful for writing and running programs
If you can't download python for the Mac, here's how to use the built in python:
The quickest option is to open the Terminal utility
iOS Users
If you’d like to run Python on your iPad or iPhone, I very much recommend Pythonista. It’s a paid app, but it’s worth every penny.
http://omz-software.com/pythonista/
Android Users
Python-for-Android will allow you to run Python programs on your Android phone
https://code.google.com/p/python-for-android/
Other options
Portable python is a version of python that can be run entirely from a USB memory stick. This means you don’t need to install anything on your home computer. This would be a good option if your parents are not happy about you installing software. If you need a memory stick, please come and see me and I’ll find you one.
http://portablepython.com/
Python on the web
Two options that I know of, there are probably more.
www.programmr.com seems like a marvellous resource where you can write and run code, look at examples, take part in competitions and generally have fun. You’ll need to register, but it’s free.
www.pythonanywhere.com is another web site, a little harder to understand. Once again it will allow you to write and run programs directly from an internet browser. There’s a free membership available which is all that you should need.
Happy coding!
To install on your computer, go to this webpage
http://www.python.org/download/
and choose the option
· Python 2.7.5 Windows Installer (Windows binary -- does not include source)
This will download a .msi file. (MSI stands for Microsoft Installer). When it’s downloaded, click it to run and install the software.
You may have a Python icon on your home screen, but the program that you want isn’t called Python at all, it’s called IDLE
- Go to ‘ All Programs’
- Find a new folder called ‘Python 2.7’ (it might be highlighted in orange if this is the first time you’ve done this)
- Choose the option IDLE (Python GUI)
GUI stands for Graphics User Interface. It’s what we use at school. From there you can either type commands into the main output window to have them run immediately, or choose ‘File’ ‘New Window’ to open a new coding window into which you can type a full program.
Mac Users
Python comes pre-installed on Mac OS X, but it's often one or even two years old. The recommendation of the "MacPython" community is to upgrade your Python by downloading and installing a newer version from here:
http://www.python.org/download/releases/2.7.5/
Check your version of OSX and download the right one.
This installation will also give you the IDLE environment which will be really helpful for writing and running programs
If you can't download python for the Mac, here's how to use the built in python:
The quickest option is to open the Terminal utility
- Navigate to /Applications/Utilities and doible-click on Terminal.
- Then type 'idle' at the prompt.
iOS Users
If you’d like to run Python on your iPad or iPhone, I very much recommend Pythonista. It’s a paid app, but it’s worth every penny.
http://omz-software.com/pythonista/
Android Users
Python-for-Android will allow you to run Python programs on your Android phone
https://code.google.com/p/python-for-android/
Other options
Portable python is a version of python that can be run entirely from a USB memory stick. This means you don’t need to install anything on your home computer. This would be a good option if your parents are not happy about you installing software. If you need a memory stick, please come and see me and I’ll find you one.
http://portablepython.com/
Python on the web
Two options that I know of, there are probably more.
www.programmr.com seems like a marvellous resource where you can write and run code, look at examples, take part in competitions and generally have fun. You’ll need to register, but it’s free.
www.pythonanywhere.com is another web site, a little harder to understand. Once again it will allow you to write and run programs directly from an internet browser. There’s a free membership available which is all that you should need.
Happy coding!
