View source for Getting started with Python

= Short url for this page: http://bit.ly/python-getting-started =

= Picking a Python tutorial =

* If you have prior programming experience, we recommend going through [http://docs.python.org/tutorial/introduction.html the official python.org tutorial, starting here].
* If you have no prior programming experience, we recommend getting your feet wet with Python by completing the goals below, and then going through [http://openbookproject.net/thinkcs/python/english2e/ Think Python].


= Goal #1: Install Python =

This section has instructions for installing Python and running Python from a command prompt.

* [[Windows set up Python|Windows]]
* [[OSX set up Python|OS X]]
* [[Linux set up Python|Linux]]

= Goal #2: prepare a text editor =

In addition to being able to run Python, we want to have good text editor for writing Python code. If you have a preferred text editor for writing code, feel free to skip this step!<br />

* [[Windows text editor|Windows]]
* [[OSX text editor|OS X]]
* [[Linux text editor|Linux]]

= Goal #3: practice starting and exiting Python =

Most tutorials will have you do a lot of learning and practicing at a Python prompt (this is "interactive" because you are typing the code and hitting enter to run it yourself, instead of running it from a file). So let's practice starting and exiting Python:

* [[Windows interactive Python|Windows]]
* [[OSX interactive Python|OS X]]
* [[Linux interactive Python|Linux]]

= Goal #4: start learning Python! =

It's time to start learning, reading, and writing some Python! This material will position you well for working through a full-fledged tutorial.

[[Python_tutorial| Click here to start the tutorial]]