INSTALLING PYTHON

Python distributions are available in wide varieties of platforms. All you need to do is download the binary code applicable for your platform and install python. If the binary code for your platform is unavailable, you will need a C compiler to compile the source code manually. By doing this it offers more flexibility in terms of choice of features that you require in your installation.

Below are steps to install python on various platforms:

UNIX and LINUX Installation:

Step 1: Open a web browser and go to https://www.python.org/downloads/
Step 2: Follow the above link to download zipped source code available for Unix/Linux
Step 3: Download zipped files and extract files.
Step 4: Run ./configure script
Step 5: Make
Step 6: Make install
Tip: This installs python at standard location /usr/local/bin

WINDOWS INSTALLATION

Step 1: Open a web browser and go to https://www.python.org/downloads/
Step 2: Follow the link for the windows installer pythonABC msi file where ABC is the version you need to install.
Step 3: To use this installer python-ABC msi, the windows system must support Microsoft Installer 2.0. Save the installer file to your local machine and then run it to find out if your machine supports msi.
Step 4: Run the downloaded file. This brings up the Python install wizard which is really easy to use. Just accept the default settings and wait till installation is done.

Setting up PATH:

The path variable is named as PATH in Unix or path in Windows (Unix is case sensitive; Windows is not)

UNIX/LINUX PATH:
Step 1: 'In the csh shell' type setenv PATH '$PATH:/usr/local/bin/python' and press enter.
Step 2: 'In the bash shell (Linux)' type export PATH='$PATH:/usr/local/bin/python' and press enter
Step 3: 'In the sh or ksh shell' type PATH='$PATH:/usr/local/bin/python' and press enter.

Stay tuned for next tutorial on Python Programming Language.