Before we get into writing our code, we will have to install a few programs and tools. It may take about a half hr to pull off but ultimately a properly established development environment will pay off in spades as we navigate the rest of our day.

Instructions vary slightly depending on what kind of machine you're using. Click the link below that applies to you:

Installation Instructions: Mac

Installation Instructions: Linux

Installation Instructions: Windows

Macs usually come with Python 2 already installed. We're going to run through some installation steps to make sure you've got the latest and greatest that Python has to offer.

You can do this by pressing command+space bar and typing "terminal," or by locating the application and clicking on the icon.

xcode-select --install

This may take a few minutes. Once it's done, you can run the following command to make sure it's installed properly.

xcode-select -p

Your output should look something like this:

/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

Pro tip: Do not try to type this in. Copy and paste to make sure everything is correct. Do this by selecting the text with your cursor and pressing command+C. Then, go to your terminal and press command+V.

ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

Once this command runs, type brew doctor on your terminal prompt. If you get the output Your system is ready to brew, you are ready to move on to the next step.

This is a bit confusing, but basically we're setting the path up so Homebrew knows where to install something.

open ~/.profile

The file should open up. Ask your instructor for help if it didn't. Copy and paste the following line at the bottom of this file:

export PATH=/usr/local/bin:/usr/local/sbin:$PATH

Save the changes and close the file.

Homebrew, by default, gets the latest stable version of whatever you're trying to install.

brew install python

open ~/.bashrc

At the bottom of that file, copy and paste the following lines:

alias python=python3
alias pip=pip3

Learn more about aliases here.

Right click (control+click on most Macs) on the Terminal icon in your application tray. Select Quit from the menu to make sure Terminal is fully stopped. Then, open it again (see Step 1).

Pro tip: Your settings won't be updated until Terminal is fully stopped and restarted. If you simply minimize the program, you will not see any updates!

python --version

You will get something like this. As long as it starts with a 3, you're good to go!

Python 3.6.5

Now let's check pip, the package installer.

pip --version

pip 10.0.1 from /usr/local/lib/python3.6/site-packages/pip (python 3.6)

You want pip to be pointing to the Python 3.x version. If either python or pip are still pointing to version 2, please alert your instructor.

You are now in a development environment!

Pro tip: The instructions are for Ubuntu. If you have another version of Linux, please follow these suggested directions.

Either:

• Click Ubuntu icon (upper-left corner) to open Dash. Then, type "terminal" and select Terminal from the results.

Or:

• Hit the keyboard shortcut Ctrl - Alt + T.

Some distributions of Linux come with Python 3 already installed. How nice! To check if you have Python 3 already, run the following command:

python3 --version

If it gives you a version, you're good to go! Otherwise, move to Step 3.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install python3.6

Check again for the Python 3 version.

python3 --version

This time, things should be all good.

If you are still unable to get Python 3, please alert your instructor now.

Pro tip: If you have Windows XP, you need to be downgraded from Python 3.6 to 3.4. Please ask your instructor for help if you plan on using Windows XP.

Visit python.org and download the web-based installer for Windows. You'll find this under a "Files" section at the bottom of the page.

If you have 64-bit Windows, use the link that contains 64. If you have 32-bit Windows, download the one without 64. If you have no idea what you have, click here to learn how to find out.

• Make sure both Add Python 3.6 to PATH and Install for all users are checked.
• Click Install Now.

After the initial installation is finished, there will be an additional option that says something about a max character limit. You want this! Provide permission for this setting to be changed.

    * Click *Start*.
    * Open *Windows System* menu.
    * Select *Command Prompt*.

py

You should get a message telling you what version of Python you're using as well as opening an in-terminal REPL. If you did, great! Skip to the next step.

If you instead received an error message like the one below, something went wrong and Python didn't install correctly.

'py' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

In this case, ask your instructor for assistance.

Pro tip: These directions are for Windows 7 and Windows Vista operating systems. If you have Windows 10, you most likely have a 64-bit machine, but if you want to be extra sure, check here.

1. Open "System" by clicking the "Start" button.

2. Right click "Computer."

3. Click "Properties."

4. Under "System," you can view the system type.

This will give you a bunch of stats about your machine, including whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit.

5. Return to Installation Instructions: Windows.

• Official OSX Installation Instructions
• Official Windows Installation Instructions
• Windows-Specific Modules