Learning Python
Table of Contents
We'll all need to learn some basic Python programming in order to survive this course. Here are some tips.
Install Python
Windows
- Grab the 32-bit installer if you have 32-bit Windows or you aren't sure if you do: http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7.6/python-2.7.6.msi
- Grab the 64-bit installer if you have 64-bit Windows and you're sure of that: http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7.6/python-2.7.6.amd64.msi
Mac OS X
- If you have OS X 10.6 or later, grab http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7.6/python-2.7.6-macosx10.6.dmg
- If you only have OS X 10.3 or later, grab instead http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7.6/python-2.7.6-macosx10.3.dmg
Linux
- Use your package manager to install Python.
Read a tutorial (or two)
- Start with this: 4 Minute Python Crash Course — it just gives some example code so you know what Python looks like
- Next, read Instant Python. This is a longer read, but do read it carefully. Try some examples yourself. You can stop when you reach the section "A Jedi Mind Trick."
- If you want more tutorials, visit the official Learning Python page from the creators of the language.
If you get stuck on the installation (i.e., you can't get Python to work on your machine), you can go to the website learnpython.org and try some Python programming in your browser.
Intro to AI material by Joshua Eckroth is licensed under a Creative Commons
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website available at GitHub.