Installing Python

Python distribution is available at wide variety of platforms. You have to download the binary code applicable for your platform and install Python.

If the binary code for your platform is not available, you need a C compiler to compile the source code manually. Let see the overview of Python installation at different platforms:

Unix and Linux Installation

Following are the simple steps to install Python on Unix/Linux machine:

• Go to Python downloads https://www.python.org/downloads/
• Download the Python source code available for Unix/Linux
• Extract the files
• Edit the Modules/Setup file if you want to customize some options
• run ./configure script
• make
• make install

It installs Python at standard location /usr/local/bin and its libraries at /usr/local/bin/pythonXX where XX is the version of Python.

Windows Installation

Following are the steps to install Python on Windows machine:

• Go to Python downloads https://www.python.org/downloads/
• Download the Python for Windows installer python-xyz.msi file where xyz is the python version.
• To use the installer python-xyz.msi file, windows should support Microsoft installer 2.0. Save the installer file to your machine and run it.
• Run the downloadable file, which bring the python install wizard, just follow the instructions and accept the default settings. One finished, you can start use python console.

Macintosh Installation

Recent Macs come with Python installed but it may be older version of Python. You can install later version from https://www.python.org/downloads/mac-osx/ and follow the instructions to install.