Itse1359-1010-getting started  (Page 3/4)

Small core, large library

Like Java, Python has a small compact core and a large, extensible library . Thus, much of what you will need to do has already been written and tested for you. Yourtask will be to write the code to glue those library components together, and to write new capabilities on an as-needed basis.

Let's Write a Program

Getting ready

Download and install the software

The first step is to go to (External Link) with your web browser. Download, and install the Python software using thedownload link that you will find there.

I'm going to assume that either you already know how to do this, or you can get help from a friend. In other words, I'm not going to try to explain how todownload and install the Python software.

Note: If you are working in an ACC computer lab on the Northridge campus, you don't need to download and install the Python software. It hasalready been installed. If you are working in an ACC computer lab on a different campus and you don't find the Python software, ask the lab manager to downloadand install it. If you are working on your computer at home, at some point you will need to download and install the Python software.

Starting the programming environment

As I mentioned earlier, all of my instructions will be based on the use of Python running on my Windows operating system.

However, as I also mentioned earlier, you have many choices for using Python. If you are running on some other platform, you will need to translate my instructionsfrom Windows jargon into the jargon of your platform.

Enough talk -- let's begin

Find the Start button on the task bar on your Windows desktop. Select

Start/All Programs/Python x.y

where x.y is the version of Python that you have downloaded and installed. At the time of this writing, I have version 3.4.1 installed on my computer, and theselection shows on the menu as Python 3.4.

What do you see?

When you make this selection, you should see a menu having at least the following five options :

• IDLE (Python GUI)
• Module Docs
• Python (command line)
• Python Manuals
• Uninstall Python

The Python Manuals

Don't be bashful about selecting and reading the Module Docs and the Python Manuals. There is a wealth of information contained there, including a tutorial.

The library reference

A good way to get a feel for the breadth and power of Python is to select Python Manuals from the menu and then select the Library Reference link. (The Library Reference is also available online as of the time of this writing.)

Most of what you see there probably won't mean much to you at this point in time, but hopefully will be familiar territory after you complete this course.

IDLE (Python GUI)

Selecting IDLE (Python GUI) from the menu brings up a window titled "Python 3.4.1 Shell" on my computer. This is one of the interactive programming environments available with Python on MicrosoftWindows.

What does it look like ?

When you select IDLE (Python GUI) from the menu, you should see something like Figure 1 .

(Note to blind and visually impaired students: I don't know if you will find the Python Shell to be accessible. If not, don't worry. We will get to acommand-line version that should be accessible a little later.)