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

• ActiveState - more optimized for Windows. I recommend this one. Check their Komodo editor too.
• from Python.org - but you need to ser up environment variables by hand, and add IDLE

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

• Start with Elementary Introduction to python environment (IDLE), no previous knowledge is necessary
• Learn Python in 10 minutes very terse intro
• Read Instant Hacking - quick and to the point. Requires little experience previous Introduction. Copy-paste examples, and try to change them a little. And do exercises.

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

• PythonBooks - there are many to choose from

With some experience

If you program in any language, start with Dive Into Python by Mark Pilgrim, and/or Guido's Python tutorial.

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.

• How Python runs programs

• Python videos at ShowMeDo

Python cheatsheets

• http://rgruet.free.fr/PQR25/PQR2.5.html
• http://www.limsi.fr/Individu/pointal/python/pqrc/

Both have more details than beginner need - limsi is under commons license, changeable.

(more is coming later)