O'Reilly Introduction to Python/Section 1/Linux set up Python



Lucky for us, Linux comes with Python installed! All we need to do is make sure we have an appropriate version of Python installed and make sure we can start a Terminal and run Python from the command line.

If you need help or have questions during this step, don't hesitate to ask!

 Start up a Terminal. You can find the Terminal application at Applications/Accessories/Terminal, or it may already be on your menu bar.

This Terminal contains something called a command prompt. This command prompt is another way of navigating your computer and running programs -- just textually instead of graphically. We are going to be running Python and Python scripts from this command prompt.  Test your Python install at the command prompt. Type

python

and hit enter. You should see something like Python 2.7.5 (r252:60911, Jan 24 2011, 17:44:40) [GCC 4.3.2] on linux2 Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information. >>> 


 * You just started Python! The  indicates that you are at a new type of prompt -- a Python prompt. The command prompt lets you navigate your computer and run programs, and the Python prompt lets you write and run Python code interactively.

 To exit the Python prompt, type
 * If the Python version number (2.7.5 in the example above) is not a number between 2.4 and 2.7 (ignoring the number after the second dot), tell a staff member.

exit

and press Enter. This will take you back to the Linux command prompt. 

Success!
You have tested your Python installation.



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