12.07.2015 Views

Is Python a

Is Python a

Is Python a

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

You can always fetch the latest and greatest standard <strong>Python</strong> release from http://www.python.org, <strong>Python</strong>’s official web site; look for the Downloads link on thatpage, and choose a release for the platform on which you will be working. You’ll findprebuilt <strong>Python</strong> executables (unpack and run), self-installer files for Windows (clickthe file’s icon to install), RPMs for Linux (unpack with rpm), the full source code distribution(compile on your machine to generate an interpreter), and more. You canfind links to offsite web pages where versions for some platforms, such as PalmOS,Nokia cell phones, and Windows Mobile, are maintained either at <strong>Python</strong>.org itself,or via a Google web search.You can also find <strong>Python</strong> on CD-ROMs supplied with Linux distributions, includedwith some products and computer systems, and enclosed with some other <strong>Python</strong>books. These tend to lag behind the current release somewhat, but usually not seriouslyso.In addition, a company called ActiveState distributes <strong>Python</strong> as part of itsActive<strong>Python</strong> package. This package combines standard C<strong>Python</strong> with extensions forWindows development, an IDE called <strong>Python</strong>Win (described in Chapter 3), andother commonly used extensions. See ActiveState’s web site for more details on theActive<strong>Python</strong> package.Finally, if you are interested in alternative <strong>Python</strong> implementations, run a web searchto check out Jython (the <strong>Python</strong> port to the Java environment) and Iron<strong>Python</strong>(<strong>Python</strong> for the C#/.NET world), both of which are described in Chapter 2. Installationof these systems is beyond the scope of this book.Installation StepsOnce you’ve downloaded <strong>Python</strong>, you need to install it. Installation steps are veryplatform-specific, but here are a few pointers for major <strong>Python</strong> platforms:WindowsOn Windows, <strong>Python</strong> comes as a self-installer MSI program file—simplydouble-click on its file icon, and answer Yes or Next at every prompt to performa default install. The default install includes <strong>Python</strong>’s documentation set andsupport for Tkinter GU<strong>Is</strong>, shelve databases, and the IDLE development GUI.<strong>Python</strong> 2.5 is normally installed in the directory C:\<strong>Python</strong>25, though this can bechanged at install time.For convenience, after the install, <strong>Python</strong> shows up in the Start button’s All Programsmenu. <strong>Python</strong>’s menu there has five entries that give quick access tocommon tasks: starting the IDLE user interface, reading module documentation,starting an interactive session, reading <strong>Python</strong>’s standard manuals in a webbrowser, and uninstalling. Most of these actions involve concepts explored indetail elsewhere in this text.640 | Appendix A: Installation and Configuration

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!