Python in your browser
Without installing: online Python - requires javascript-enabled browser. Please don't abuse this site - if you want to use Python for experimenting, install it.
Install Python
Activestate version - containing some customizations for Windows.
Windows
After dowloading the installer, double-click to run downloaded .exe file.
Mac
rjseagraves from Ubuntu forums says: "Python is installed on the Mac by default, but usually about a minor version behind the latest stable python release. Instead, download a version of IDLE that includes the latest python release at http://www.python.org/download/mac "
On Linux
Python is installed by default on all distros I know about. If not, follow install guide for your distribution.
Python on Live CD
You can also download and burn UbuntuLiveCD and run python directly from it (and later use it to install Ubuntu).
Python IDE
On Linux, you may want to install IDLE - simple Python IDE. On Windows, it is included in installer. See PythonIDE for more
Check if Python is Installed OK
- Open terminal window and type 'python', or
- Find Python IDE (called IDLE) in program menu and run it.
Experimenting with Python
Help with learning Python
- Python Tutor mailing list
- ask at Ubuntu Programming forum
- Accept http://www.pythonchallenge.com/ - 33 levels of puzzles of increasing complexity, with separate forum for every level (with hints and help if you are stuck)
First Python Book
No previous experience necessary
Excellent online books with basics (no object oriented programming to get you confused):
Dick Baldwin's tutorial - the best, with good explanations at beginner level. Does not look pretty, but text is excellent.
Byte of Python
Python Tutorial at wikibooks: maybe little too simple: if Baldwin book is confusing, check explanation in wikibooks
Alan Gauld's book. Also good, covers also advanced topics (like OOP), but they are clearly marked.
Hands-On Python A Tutorial Introduction for Beginners, by Andrew N. Harrington, with some videos. Part of programming 101. Up to simple web pages.
With some experience
If you program in any language, start with Dive Into Python by Mark Pilgrim
More books and videos
- Introduction to Programming at wikiversity - Simple 1-page intro about what programming is. Gives you a glimpse on CPU instruction - but just a glimpse.
Beginner's Guide has many good resources (also in languages other than English). Follow your own intuition, or try themin this order:
or any from non-programmers guide to python.
Let me know which one you picked, and how did you liked it.
Python cheatsheets
Both have more details than beginner need - limsi is under commons license, changeable.
(more is coming later)
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.