1084
Comment: Updated MacPython homepage link
|
1453
Make text a little more welcoming and highlight the distros.
|
Deletions are marked like this. | Additions are marked like this. |
Line 3: | Line 3: |
Before you start, you need Python on your computer, and you'll probably need to download it. If you're learning Python for the first time, you should download the most recent stable version. This is the one with the highest number that isn't marked as an alpha or beta |
Before you start, you need Python on your computer, but you may not need to download it. First of all check (by entering '''python''' in a command line window) that you don't already have Python installed! If you see a response from a Python interpreter it will include a version number in its iniital display. generally any recent version will do, as Python makes every attempt to maintain backwards compatibility. If you need to install, you may as well download the most recent stable version. This is the one with the highest number that isn't marked as an alpha or beta |
Line 9: | Line 13: |
If you're running Windows: here's a page with the most stable Windows download: |
'''If you're running Windows''': the most stable Windows download is |
Line 13: | Line 17: |
If you are using a Mac, see the | I'''f you are using a Mac''', see the |
Line 17: | Line 21: |
If you're using Linux, Python is probably packaged for your distribution. | '''If you're using Linux''', Python is probably already packaged for your distribution. |
Line 23: | Line 27: |
For other systems, see the | '''For other systems''', or '''if you want to install from source''', see the |
Downloading Python
Before you start, you need Python on your computer, but you may not need to download it. First of all check (by entering python in a command line window) that you don't already have Python installed! If you see a response from a Python interpreter it will include a version number in its iniital display. generally any recent version will do, as Python makes every attempt to maintain backwards compatibility.
If you need to install, you may as well download the most recent stable version. This is the one with the highest number that isn't marked as an alpha or beta release. Currently the stable version is [http://www.python.org/2.4.2/ Python 2.4.2].
If you're running Windows: the most stable Windows download is [http://www.python.org/2.4.2/ Python 2.4 for Windows].
If you are using a Mac, see the [http://homepages.cwi.nl/~jack/macpython/index.html MacPython page]. MacOS 10.2 (Jaguar), 10.3 (Panther) and 10.4 (Tiger) come with Python already installed.
If you're using Linux, Python is probably already packaged for your distribution.
- In Ubuntu and Mandrake, python is already installed
- For Red Hat, install the python2 and python2-devel packages.
- For Debian, install the python2.4 and python2.4-dev packages.
For other systems, or if you want to install from source, see the [http://www.python.org/download/ general download page]..