Jun 13, 2015
A little update.

I’m still on a Macbook. And still playing with Python 2.7.

However the one new thing I’d like to promote is the amazing new tool I learned about last year, the IPython Notebook.

Just. Wow.

I’ll leave you only with this teaser of a mention for now.

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Jan 7, 2013
First off:  www.python.org.  Learn this site, bookmark it, get to know it, love it!

Next, give a watch to Raymond Hettinger’s keynote on YouTube, “What makes Python Awesome?”  Raymond was the teacher of my intro class, and this is a not-to-be-missed experience.

Next, go to python.org and grab a version to install.  I was recommended to start with 2.7.3.

So, my system is Python 2.7.3, on a MacBook Pro, running 10.8.2 aka Mountain Lion.  In the process of starting here: http://www.python.org/download/releases/2.7.3/, I ended up going down the twisty path of installing Homebrew , and then Python via “brew“.

(I seem to also recall having to perhaps install Xcode 4.5.2, and then further hunting within that to enable command-line-tools.  Sorry, didn’t keep notes on that!  But I’m up and running, and brew is working great.)

For Windows, I I’ve also used the Windows installer from that release page, and that worked without a hitch.  Go ahead and accept the default installation directory, C:\Python27.  After installation, on the Start menu under “Python 2.7”, you’ll find the item “IDLE (Python GUI)”.

The IDLE GUI is a very handy tool for learning, experimentation, and ‘as-you-go’ development.  Sure, it’s a bit simple in how it does some things, and I’ll want a real IDE at some point.  But for now, it’s useful.

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