Python on Linux

Linux ships with Python installed, so the goal of this page is to make sure you can start a terminal and run Python from the command line.

1. Start up a terminal. You can find the Terminal application at Applications/Accessories/Terminal, or it may already be on your menu bar.
2. Test your Python install at the command prompt. Type python and hit enter. You should see something like

   Python 2.5.2 (r252:60911, Jan 24 2010, 17:44:40) 
   [GCC 4.3.2] on linux2
   Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
   >>> 
   

3. To exit the Python prompt, type

   exit()
   

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