Software Installations
On this page you will find installation instructions for much of the software used in the course.
Overview
You should have the following software installed, in the following order:
- (Required) Enthought Python Distribution -- the main Python development system that will be used.
- (Recommended) A better Python editor, e.g. Notepad++, TextWrangler, Emacs, etc. -- this will make your life a lot easier for larger programs.
- (Recommended) Integrating Python with your editor -- this will make is a lot easier to run the iPython interactive Python prompt to run and test your programs.
Enthought Python Distribution Installation:
Download the appropriate version of EPD for your system: Click here for downloads (Be sure to log in with your NetID!)
- Windows: Select the save the appropriate .msi file on your laptop. "x86" refers to a 32-bit installer, while "x86_64" refers to a 64-bit installer. Double click the .msi file to start the install, and go with the default choices during the installation. For step-by-step instructions, click here.
- Mac OS X: Select and save the appropriate .dmg file on your laptop. "i386" refers to a 32-bit installer, while "x86_64" refers to a 64-bit installer. Double click the .dmg file, then double click the .mpkg file to run the installer. For step-by-step instructions, click here.
- Linux: Choose the right EPD binary for your system. "x86" refers to a 32-bit installer, while "x86_64" refers to a 64-bit installer. Save the appropriate .sh file on your machine, and then execute it to run the installer.
Caution: There have been reports of the Enthought installer not working properly on systems that use Unicode file names, e.g. Asian-language versions of Windows. Please see the course staff if you have problems with any installation!
Better editors for Python
The IDLE environment that comes with EPD is wonderful for experimenting with small examples. Once you start writing larger programs, you might want to save your work and use just the IDLE editor, or one of these editors described below.
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Windows: Follow this link to install Notepad++, which is a highly functional, easy-to-use, free, open-source editor for Windows that makes writing, reading, and editing code in Python a joy!
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MacOS X: Follow this link to install TextWrangler, a full-featured, free text editor for the Macs. Also recommended is TextMate, which costs about $60.
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Linux: The Emacs editor would be an ideal choice.
To help reduce the problems associated with mixing tabs and spaces, please configure your editor to replace tabs with spaces!
Integrating Python and your Editor
To make sure that the code files you have developed are available to Python and to minimize confusion about paths and pathnames, we have developed two applications described below. We recommend you install them now, before writing your first program. After EDP has finished installing, you may perform the following enhancements to your system:
- Windows: To seamlessly run your Python programs developed in Notepad++, install the ipython.reg application we have developed. Follow the step-by-step guide here.
- Macs: We have developed an app to seamlessly run your Python programs once you develop them in your TextWrangler editor. Follow the step-by-step guide here.
Thanks to Dr. Devika Subramanian for much of these instructions!