Python Tools

We should never fail nor falter,we shall not weaken or tire... give us the tools and we will finish the job

-Winston Churchill

To start learning python, there are several things that needs to be downloaded online. Please do not worry because everything you'll have to download is absolutely free. Please Take note that I am using Windows Operating System(WinXP). I am not familiar to Linux or Mac so If there are any problems regarding installing the mentioned tools or software, I cannot help you with that matter. Anyway I will be giving you some alternatives so there's nothing to worry about incase you get lost.And one thing before I forget, I'll be using python 2.6 first and then introduce 3.0 later for learning transition.

If you are running python on Windows just go to http://www.python.org/download. Click and Dowload Python 2.6.2 Windows Installer. If your computer runs in a 64bit o.s. then Download Python 2.6.2 AMD64 installer. After Downloading the Windows Installer, Run the program and just follow the default settings and instructions and Everything is done.

Now if you are running Linux operating system. Chances are there's already python installed in your pc. Try running python in the command prompt, if it's not the case you can check this link, it has instructions on how to install python on linux and Mac OS.

The next step is  to look for a good text-editor to be used in python. The default one is IDLE and is a really good IDE. You can use notepad if you want. But I suggest you download notepad++ because it's tabbing features is what I really like and has syntax highlighting like IDLE. You can download Notepad++ freely so there's no need to worry about payments and stuff like that.Remember to download the executable installer format to have a hassle free installation. After you've downloaded it just install it and you are ready to go. Remember that if you are going to code in python using Notepad++ you have to click the python language formatter to activate syntax highlighting in python. Just look for the "Language" Menu and click "Python".