Where to start?
Posted by pythontyro on October 4, 2006
Now that I’ve decided to learn python, the next steps are to have the python software installed on my machine. Having worked on other languages I’m used to IDEs and so did not like the IDE that comes with python (IDLE) and so I found a nice and free IDE to work with. It is Stani’s Python Editor. Once I feel that I would adopt this language I might well buy some better IDE that is out there in the market. For now I’ll stick with SPE.
Step 1: Download and Install Python.
Just download latest python software and the installation is pretty straight forward. If you still do need help you can use the screencast on downloading and installing. One customization which I do during installation is to install it directly under the root drive like “c:\Python24″. This makes it easier for me to write bat files in future.
Step 2: Download and Install Stani’s Python Editor.
- First thing to know before installing Stani’s Python Editor is that it requires wxPython 2.5.4.1+. apart from latest python. This installation is easy and straightforward. You don’t need any customization. Just follow the wizard.
- Then now install the Stani’s Python Editor. Just follow the wizard and no customization.
- Smoke test your installation by launching the Stani’s Python Editor using the link on desktop. To further verify this I’ll use this editor later to develop and run my first python script.
- Watch this screencast to familiarize yourself with the IDE features.
Now I’m packed for the interesting journey ahead…
Ian Ozsvald said
Hi – it is great to see you linking to our videos, so nice to know that you find them a useful resource.
We will be updating the Download/Install/Test videos to cover Python 2.5 shortly, I also have a series planned that introduces all the usual Python web resources for a newbie (from Google Groups through to Daily Python). All new videos are announced on the blog as they go live and on our monthly notifications email list.
A part of our plan for the next few months is to build a series of videos introducing Python programming to a new user. I’d very much welcome your feedback seeing as you’re about to go through the process (ian@showmedo.com), especially guidance on areas that you found tricky which we might address with some videos.
Perhaps for a new user there could be more guidance on which tutorials to follow, more worked examples (something we’re keen to work on) and help choosing a working environment? Yours (and everyone’s!) thoughts are most welcome.
Cheers,
Ian.
ps. the link to ‘Top 10 python websites’ on your Resources page is broken.
Ian Ozsvald said
Hi again. Just a quick hat-tip – I’ve mentioned your blog in a video I recorded for ShowMeDo. There are two videos in this set, they are aimed at showing useful on-line resources to new Python programmers:
http://showmedo.com/videos/video?name=pythonOzsvaldIntroToPyResources2&fromSeriesID=27
I hope you get to post many more Novice Python entries!
Cheers, Ian.
Using IDLE « Novice to Python said
[...] I take my words back on what I said about IDLE (Integrated DeveLopment Environment) earlier in “Where to Start?”. In the past few days, I felt that using IDLE is much more easier and faster for learning purpose than other IDE. Yeah, the IDLE should really be an acronym of Integrated Developer’s Learning Environment. [...]
Silvano said
Many Thanks for pointing me to SPE – it is a very nice Tool to have.
I am learning wxPython and I have a very novice question.
Every time I made a mistake in my code, running it form SPE the program start and exit immediately – flashing a Dialog Box with (I guess) some info’s on what is happened.
There is a way to keep this dialog form disappearing immediately ?
many thanks again