How to get started with Python -- for Macs

All you'll need to get started is the Python programming language.
Although Macs come with Python, it is usually version 2.3.5.
We are using Python version 2.5.4.

To install this newer version (whether or not you have another one):

Here is a link directly to the installer at python.org: Mac OS Python installer

Download that file to your desktop and double-click it to extract a drive named "Universal MacPython 2.5.4".

Within that drive, double-click on the icon named "MacPython.mpkg"

It will lead you through the installation; the default options will most likely be what you want.

You can also get the installer less directly by going through the Python language website - which has plenty of background on the language, as well.

When you install Python in this standard way, you will also get IDLE, an editor tailored to the Python language.

That should be it -- please let us know if you have any troubles or concerns!

(akuzma@cs.northwestern.edu, Ionut@northwestern.edu, nwu-lmg215@northwestern.edu)