From 04d8d325f6de26af0db1829be1be491f2f2b57f4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Matthew Ray <124092023+MatthewRayUK@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:34:21 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] Refresh Python lesson 0 installation guide --- python/lesson0/tutorial.md | 253 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++---------- 1 file changed, 183 insertions(+), 70 deletions(-) diff --git a/python/lesson0/tutorial.md b/python/lesson0/tutorial.md index 144fc81b..6006dce4 100644 --- a/python/lesson0/tutorial.md +++ b/python/lesson0/tutorial.md @@ -3,78 +3,95 @@ layout: page title: Installation Guide --- -Welcome to the first Python tutorial. We're going to look at getting Python up -and running on your computer, then look at a few simple operations to get to -grips with the development environment and syntax. +Welcome to the first Python tutorial! + +### Objectives + +In this tutorial we are going to look at: + +* Installing Python on your computer +* Checking which version of Python you have +* Opening the REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) - a place where you can type + Python and see the result straight away +* What to do if something goes wrong + +### Goal + +By the end of this tutorial you will have Python up and running, and you will +have run your first line of Python code. ## Installation +Any version of Python 3 will work for these tutorials. At the time of writing, +the latest version is 3.14.7. + ### Mac -Mac OSX ships with Python 2.7 which, while still a great language, is very -outdated these days, so we need to upgrade: - -1. Make sure you're running an updated version of OSX. You should at least - have OS 10.3, and most modern Macs are running much later than that anyway, - but it's worth noting this requirement here. -2. Head to [the Python website](https://www.python.org/). -3. Click "Downloads". -4. There will be two options; one for Python 3 and one for Python 2. - **Download Python 3**. At the time of writing, the version available is - 3.14.5. -5. When the download's complete, your browser should automatically mount the - disk image and open a Finder window of what's inside, but if that doesn't - happen, you'll have to find the file `Python.mpkg` in your downloads folder - and double-click it to get started. -6. Once the installer is running hit `Continue` a number of times and agree to - the Free software license as well as enter your administrator password. Just - follow the prompts and you'll be fine. - -If you get lost, have a look at this [tutorial with pictures on DiveIntoPython3](https://diveintopython3.problemsolving.io/installing-python.html#macosx). - -### Windows: +1. Head to [the Python website](https://www.python.org/). +2. Click **Downloads**. The site should recognise that you're on a Mac and offer + you the latest version of Python. **Download it**. +3. Open the file you downloaded. It's called something like + `python-3.14.7-macos11.pkg` and will be in your Downloads folder. +4. The installer will open. Click **Continue** a number of times, agree to the + licence, and enter your password when asked. Just follow the prompts and + you'll be fine. +5. When it's finished, a Finder window will open. You can close it. + +### Windows + +On Windows, Python is installed using the **Python install manager**. 1. Head to [the Python website](https://www.python.org/). -2. Click "Downloads". -3. There will be two options; one for Python 3 and one for Python 2. - **Download Python 3**. At the time of writing, the version available is - 3.14.5. -4. Run the downloaded installer and click *Next* until you reach the - *Customization* page. -5. Scroll down to the bottom and choose to *Add python.exe to PATH*. -6. Continue clicking *Next* until it's installed. +2. Click **Downloads**, then **Download Python install manager**. +3. Open the file you downloaded and click **Install**. -If you get lost, have a look at this [tutorial with pictures on DiveIntoPython3](https://diveintopython3.problemsolving.io/installing-python.html#windows). +You can also get the Python install manager from the `Microsoft Store` app. Both +ways give you exactly the same thing. -### Linux +You don't need to install Python itself separately. The first time you run +Python (which we'll do in a moment), the install manager will download the latest +version for you. If it asks whether you'd like to add a folder to your settings, +it's fine to say no - you won't need it for these tutorials. -All modern Linux distributions should support installing Python 3 via the -package manager. However, each distribution likes to do things slightly -differently, so these instructions may need to be modified for your situation. +### Chromebook -#### Debian/Ubuntu +To use Python on a Chromebook, you first need to turn on Linux. It's off by +default, and setting it up can take 10 minutes or more, so it's worth doing +before your workshop if you can. -Python 3 is available via apt, so you can install it with `apt install -python3`. +1. At the bottom right of the screen, select the time. +2. Select **Settings**, then **About ChromeOS**, then **Developers**. +3. Next to "Linux development environment", select **Set up**. +4. Follow the instructions on screen. -#### Redhat/CentOS +When it's finished, a terminal window will open. Type these commands, pressing +Enter after each one: -Python 3 isn't yet available in default Redhat/Centos installations, so you -have to use the `scl` workaround: + $ sudo apt update + $ sudo apt install python3 + +If you use a Chromebook from work or school, Linux might not be available. If you +can't find the "Linux development environment" option, have a look at +[If it goes wrong](#if-it-goes-wrong) below. + +### Linux -1. Install scl-utils: `yum install scl-utils` -2. Install the extra repo needed for Pytyhon 3: - `rpm -Uvh https://www.softwarecollections.org/en/scls/rhscl/python33/epel-7-x86_64/download/rhscl-python33-epel-7-x86_64.noarch.rpm` -3. Install Python 3 with this new repo: `yum install Python33` (no the second - `3` is not a typo) -4. Run `scn enable python3 /bin/bash`. This will put you into a shell that - supports Python 3. +All modern Linux distributions support installing Python 3 using the package +manager, and many come with it already installed. Each distribution does things +slightly differently, so these instructions may need to be modified for your +situation. -For more information on this process, take a look at [this tutorial](https://devops.ionos.com/tutorials/install-python-3-on-centos-7.html). +#### Debian, Ubuntu or Linux Mint + + $ sudo apt install python3 + +#### Fedora + + $ sudo dnf install python3 #### Arch -Python 3 is available via Pacman, so all you need to do is `pacman -S python`. + $ sudo pacman -S python #### Gentoo @@ -83,35 +100,131 @@ You've already got it :-) ## Opening the REPL -Python is often developed with the aid of a *REPL*, or *Read-Eval-Print-Loop*. -The REPL is a way of getting immediate feedback as you work. Python's REPL is -called **IDLE**. +Python is often developed with the aid of a **REPL**, or *Read-Eval-Print Loop*. +The REPL is a way of getting immediate feedback as you work: you type a line of +Python, and it runs straight away and shows you the result. -It's very important to find what Python version you are working with. +You might notice a program called **IDLE** was installed alongside Python. IDLE +is a simple code editor that comes with Python, and it has a REPL built in, but +we won't be using it in these tutorials. We'll use the REPL from the terminal +instead. -On Windows, open `cmd` or on Mac OS / GNU/Linux open `terminal` and type -(without the `$` sign): +First, open a terminal: - $ python --version +* **Mac**: open the `Terminal` app. You can find it by searching for `Terminal` + in Spotlight. +* **Windows**: open `Terminal` or `PowerShell` by searching for either in the + Start menu. +* **Chromebook**: open the `Terminal` app from the Launcher. +* **Linux**: open your terminal application. + +It's very important to find what Python version you are working with. Type +the following (without the `$` sign) and press Enter. + +On Mac, Chromebook and Linux: -What you should see is: + $ python3 --version - $ python 3.14.5 +On Windows: -On Mac OS running `python --version` might run the outdated Python 2.7 which is bundled with the operating system. -If this is your case, then you need to run `python3` instead of `python`. + $ python --version -Any 3.* version should do for this tutorial to work. +You should see something like: -Now, open the *REPL* by typing: + Python 3.14.7 - $ python +Any version starting with `3` is fine. If you see an error instead, or a version +starting with `2`, have a look at [If it goes wrong](#if-it-goes-wrong) below. -And you should see something like this: +Now open the REPL by typing `python3` on Mac, Chromebook and Linux, or `python` +on Windows. You should see something like this: - Python 3.14.5 (default, Jun 1 2026, 15:44:26) - [GCC 5.4.0] on linux + Python 3.14.7 (main, Aug 5 2026, 10:12:21) [Clang 16.0.0] on darwin Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information. >>> +The `>>>` means Python is waiting for you to type something. Try your first line +of Python: + + >>> print("Hello, codebar!") + Hello, codebar! + +When you're done, leave the REPL by typing: + + >>> quit() + Now you're all set! + + +## If it goes wrong + +Getting Python installed is often the fiddliest part of learning it, so don't +worry if something here didn't work first time. These are the most common +problems. If yours isn't here, ask your coach. + +### "command not found" or "is not recognized" + +This usually means your terminal was already open before Python was installed, so +it doesn't know about it yet. Close the terminal completely, open a new one, and +try again. + +If it still doesn't work, the installation may not have finished. Try installing +again. + +### On Mac, a pop-up asks you to install "command line developer tools" + +This happens when you type `python3` before Python has been installed. Your Mac +is offering to install its own copy. You can cancel it, install Python from +python.org as described above, then open a new terminal and try again. + +### The version isn't the one you just installed + +Any version starting with `3` is fine for these tutorials, so if that's what you +see, you're good to go. + +If it starts with `2`, or it isn't the version you've just installed, you may +have more than one version of Python on your computer and an older one is being +used. Close the terminal and open a new one first. + +On Mac, if it's still not the version you installed, try including the version +number in the command: + + $ python3.14 --version + +If that works, you can use `python3.14` in place of `python3` in these tutorials. + +### On Windows, typing `python` opens the Microsoft Store + +Windows includes a shortcut that sends you to the Store if Python isn't +installed yet. It means the Python install manager isn't installed - go back to +the [Windows instructions](#windows) and install it. + +### On a Chromebook, you can't find "Linux development environment" + +Chromebooks used for work or school are often set up so that Linux can't be +turned on, and some older Chromebooks don't support it at all. Your coach can +help you find another way to follow along, or you could ask whoever looks after +the Chromebook whether Linux can be turned on. + +### On Linux, you get "Permission denied" + +Installing software needs administrator permissions. Make sure you included +`sudo` at the start of the command, and enter your password when asked. + +## Further reading + +* The official guides to [using Python on Mac](https://docs.python.org/3/using/mac.html), + [using Python on Windows](https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html) and + [using Python on Linux](https://docs.python.org/3/using/unix.html) go into + much more detail about installation. +* Google's guide to [setting up Linux on your Chromebook](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145439) + covers turning Linux on and off. + +Ready to write some code? Head to [Lesson 1](/python/lesson1/tutorial.html). + +----- + +This ends our **Installation Guide** lesson. Is there something you don't +understand? Try going through the "If it goes wrong" section with your coach. If +you have any feedback, or can think of ways to improve this tutorial, +[send us an email](mailto:feedback@codebar.io) and let us know.