This exercise has no code. It is simply the exercise you complete to get your computer setup to run Python. You should follow these instructions as exactly as possible. For example, Mac OSX computers already have Python 2, so do not install Python 3 (or any Python).
Warning
If you do not know how to use PowerShell on Windows or the Terminal on OSX or "bash" on Linux then you need to go learn that first. I have a quick crash course at http://cli.learncodethehardway.org/ which is free and will teach you the basics of PowerShell and Terminal quickly. Go through that then come back here.
To complete this exercise, complete the following tasks:
Here's me doing the above on my computer in Terminal. Your computer would be different, so see if you can figure out all the differences between what I did and what you should do.
Last login: Sat Apr 24 00:56:54 on ttys001
~ $ python
Python 2.5.1 (r251:54863, Feb 6 2009, 19:02:12)
[GCC 4.0.1 (Apple Inc. build 5465)] on darwin
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> ^D
~ $ mkdir mystuff
~ $ cd mystuff
mystuff $ ls
# ... Use TextWrangler here to edit test.txt....
mystuff $ ls
test.txt
mystuff $
Note
Contributed by zhmark.
Go to http://notepad-plus-plus.org/ with your browser, get the Notepad++ text editor, and install it. You do not need to be administrator to do this.
Make sure you can get to Notepad++ easily by putting it on your desktop and/or in Quick Launch. Both options are available during setup.
Run "powershell" from the start menu. Search for it and you can just hit enter to run it.
Make a shortcut to it on your desktop and/or Quick Launch for your convenience.
Run your Terminal program. It won't look like much.
In your Terminal program, run python. You run things in Terminal by just typing their name and hitting RETURN.
If you run python and it's not there (python is not recognized..). Install it from http://python.org/download
Make sure you install Python 2 not Python 3.
You may be better off with ActiveState Python especially when you miss Administrative rights
If after you install it python still isn't recognized then in powershell enter this:
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "$env:Path;C:\Python27", "User")
Close powershell and then start it again to make sure python now runs. If it doesn't restart may be required.
Hit CTRL-Z (^Z), Enter and get out of python.
You should be back at a prompt similar to what you had before you typed python. If not find out why.
Learn how to make a directory in the Terminal. Search online for help.
Learn how to change into a directory in the Terminal. Again search online.
Use your editor to create a file in this directory. Make the file, "Save" or "Save As...", and pick this directory.
Go back to Terminal using just the keyboard to switch windows. Look it up if you can't figure it out.
Back in Terminal, see if you can list the directory to see your newly created file. Search online for how to list a directory.
Warning
If you missed it, sometimes you install Python on Windows and it doesn't configure the path correctly. Make sure you enter [Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "$env:Path;C:\Python27", "User") in powershell to configure it correctly. You also have to either restart powershell or your whole computer to get it to really be fixed.
> python
ActivePython 2.6.5.12 (ActiveState Software Inc.) based on
Python 2.6.5 (r265:79063, Mar 20 2010, 14:22:52) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> ^Z
> mkdir mystuff
> cd mystuff
... Here you would use Notepad++ to make test.txt in mystuff ...
>
<bunch of unimportant errors if you istalled it as non-admin - ignore them - hit Enter>
> dir
Volume in drive C is
Volume Serial Number is 085C-7E02
Directory of C:\Documents and Settings\you\mystuff
04.05.2010 23:32 <DIR> .
04.05.2010 23:32 <DIR> ..
04.05.2010 23:32 6 test.txt
1 File(s) 6 bytes
2 Dir(s) 14 804 623 360 bytes free
>
You will probably see a very different prompt, Python information, and other stuff but this is the general idea. If your system is different let us know at http://learnpythonthehardway.org and we'll fix it.
Linux is a varied operating system with a bunch of different ways to install software. I'm assuming if you are running Linux then you know how to install packages so here are your instructions:
$ python
Python 2.6.5 (r265:79063, Apr 1 2010, 05:28:39)
[GCC 4.4.3 20100316 (prerelease)] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>
$ mkdir mystuff
$ cd mystuff
# ... Use gedit here to edit test.txt ...
$ ls
test.txt
$
You will probably see a very different prompt, Python information, and other stuff but this is the general idea.
You are done with this exercise. This exercise might be hard for you depending on your familiarity with your computer. If it is difficult, take the time to read and study and get through it, because until you can do these very basic things you will find it difficult to get much programming done.
If a programmer tells you to use vim or emacs, tell them, "No." These editors are for when you are a better programmer. All you need right now is an editor that lets you put text into a file. We will use gedit because it is simple and the same on all computers. Professional programmers use gedit so it's good enough for you starting out.
A programmer may try to get you to install Python 3 and learn that. You should tell them, "When all of the python code on your computer is Python 3, then I'll try to learn it." That should keep them busy for about 10 years.
A programmer will eventually tell you to use Mac OSX or Linux. If the programmer likes fonts and typography, they'll tell you to get a Mac OSX computer. If they like control and have a huge beard, they'll tell you to install Linux. Again, use whatever computer you have right now that works. All you need is gedit, a Terminal, and python.
Finally the purpose of this setup is so you can do three things very reliably while you work on the exercises:
Anything else will only confuse you, so stick to the plan.