Installing Python
Interested in Python? Python can be quite addictive at times. If you approach Python like trying to learn another language, then you will be just fine. After all, it' s just a programming language :).
To install Python, first click on the link below. Then click on "Download" in the navigation panel. Download the latest version of Python for Windows. Find the location of the Python executable you have just downloaded (normally in Downloads folder) and double click on it to install the app. Click Allow for any permissions needed by Windows to install Python. On the installation screen, click on Custom Installation. For Optional Features, make sure everything is checked, then click next. On the Advanced Options screen, also make sure all is checked, then click on Install. I recommend Windows 10 and above for running Python more effectively.
Once Python is installed, we need to install some Python libraries. A Python library is a collection of related modules. It contains bundles of code that can be used repeatedly in different programs. Basically, they are add-ons to allow Python to do more fancy things. The words Python Library and Python Module are used interchangeably.
There are two that I normally install. It is matplotlib and pillow(pil).
Matplotlib is a comprehensive library for creating static, animated, and interactive visualizations in Python. Some math codes in Python require this to be loaded before the math codes are executed.
The Python Pillow library is a fork of an older library called PIL. PIL stands for Python Imaging Library, and it enables Python to deal with images. I use this to display pictures when creating certain types of learning questions.
To install these libraries, follow these directions: You will need to go to the Command Prompt in Windows. Run CMD in the Windows search bar to go to the command prompt.
Next type at the command prompt(See below): pip install matplotlib and press Enter.
It should start to download the matplotlib library files and install them.
Next at the command prompt type(See below): pip install pillow and press Enter
It should start to download the pillow library files and install them.
Note: pip is the tool used to install Python libraries and modules. If you need other modules to be in your program, you will need to do a Google search and follow directions on how to download, unzip if needed, and install them using pip at the Windows Command Prompt or some other way based on their directions. Some modules are a bit complex, but most are easy to install.
Now that you have the latest Python installed and some python libraries installed, it's time to run IDLE. For Windows, go to All Programs then to the Python folder. IDLE is the program which makes using Python easier.
Find and run IDLE. It should look similar to this below. You can also place the IDLE shortcut on your desktop to make it faster to find and run the next time.
It's time to run IDLE!
When you run Idle, the below screen will appear. Here you can run quick short codes at the prompt. For example, you can do arithmetic, test out the print function etc. For more information using the print function in Python, just do a simple google.
Getting to the IDLE code window
Where to save, run, paste, and test codes? While in IDLE, click File, then New File (See below). This will open up a window where you can type your codes, test and edit codes, or paste codes from anyone. This is what we call the IDLE code window. Long batch of codes can be written here or pasted here for testing, editing, and saving. You will be able save the codes with a name, and the extension will be "py".
That's it! My code links are at the top of this website. Copy and paste the codes to Python. See what other ideas you can come up with.
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