Guide to Installing Python After Downloading

Python installation is a fundamental step for beginners and established developers alike. This guide provides comprehensive instructions for Windows, Mac, and Linux users to install Python without relying on third-party platforms like Quora.

Windows

You can download everything needed to get started with Python from the official Python website. The website should automatically detect your Windows operating system and present the links to the Windows installer. Choose the version you want to install:

Currently, Python provides two versions: 3.x.x and 2.7.10. New users are recommended to install the 3.x.x version, while 2.7.10 is suitable for those working with legacy code or older programs and libraries that have not adopted 3.x.x yet. This guide focuses on the 3.x.x version.

Run the installer after downloading it: Click the button corresponding to the version you want to download, and the installer for that version will start downloading. Run it after the download completes. Check the box to allow running Python directly from the Command Prompt: Click 'Install Now' to install Python with default settings. Users can customize the installation by changing the installation directory or installing a debugger. To verify the installation, open the new interpreter: Click the Start button and type 'python' to open the command line and verify that Python is correctly installed. Input the following command to print ‘Hello world!’: print('Hello world!') Open the IDLE development environment: Python comes with a development environment called IDLE, allowing you to run and debug scripts. You can quickly launch IDLE by opening the Start menu and searching for IDLE. Continue learning Python: Use this guide or other Python learning resources to progress in your programming journey. See How to Start Programming in Python for more tips.

Mac

Decide if you need to install Python 3.x.x:

All versions of OS X include Python 2.7, but you may want access to the latest version, Python 3.x.x, for new features and improvements.

Visit the Python website to download the 3.x.x files: Double-click the downloaded PKG file to start the installation process. Follow the prompts to install Python with default settings. Launch Python in the terminal: To verify the successful installation, open the Terminal and type python3. This should display the Python 3.x.x interface and show the version. Open the IDLE development environment: IDLE is a program that allows you to write and test Python scripts. You can find it in the Applications folder. Try out a test script: IDLE will open an environment similar to a terminal screen. Type the following command and press Enter to display Hello world!: print('Hello world!') Start using Python: NOW that Python is installed, you can begin using it to learn how to program. See How to Start Programming in Python for more instructions for Python beginners.

Linux

Most distributions of Linux come with Python pre-installed. However, to ensure you have the latest version, you can install Python manually.

Check the version of Python you already have installed: You can see the current version by opening the Terminal and typing python. Install the newest version in Ubuntu: Open the Terminal and type: sudo apt-get install python3 Alternatively, use Ubuntu's Add/Remove Applications app located in the Applications window. Install the newest version in Red Hat and Fedora: Open the Terminal and type: sudo yum install python3 Install the newest version in Arch Linux: Log in as the root user and type: pacman -S python Download the IDLE environment: If you want to use the Python development environment, you can get it via your distribution's software manager. Search for IDLE. Learn how to program in Python: Now that the latest version of Python is installed, you can start learning how to use it to program. See How to Start Programming in Python for tips and tutorials.