Computing Resources
Quick links to:
Resources for practicing/learning Python basics:
CSE 160 Handouts:
Other Useful Links:
Installing Python 2.7
All of our programming will be done using version 2.7 of the
Python programming language
(we are NOT using Python 3 in this course).
Python is free and open-source, and is easy to install on Windows,
Mac, and Linux platforms. We will use a distribution of Python that
is graciously provided
by Enthought Scientific Computing
Solutions. Go to the appropriate section below for your operating
system — Linux,
MacOS, or Windows
If you have any problems, please
send email to the course
staff so that we can help you with this essential step.
Note: Although you may find a full list of installers here, we recommend you jump to the specific instructions for your Operating System below.
Windows installation
-
If you are on Windows, a 64-bit OS is the most common by far. Here are direct links for
Windows:
64-bit,
32-bit.
In Windows 8, to find out whether you are running a 64-bit or
32-bit operating system, go to settings->PC info, then look at System type.
For Windows 7, see http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/find-out-32-or-64-bit
-
Perform the installation by
double-clicking the .msi installer file that you downloaded.
-
If you get an error "This installation package could not be
opened. Contact the application vendor to verify that this is a
valid Windows Installer package.", then probably the file is
corrupted because your download got interrupted. Download the file
again, and re-try the installation.
Once installation completes, you should have an "Enthought Canopy"
folder under your Start menu.
More information on Windows installation can be found here.
-
Check that the installation was successful by opening up
a Canopy Command Prompt Window. (Either: 1. Search for
this from the Start menu, or 2. Find it in the Enthought Canopy
folder on the Start menu, or 3. In Canopy, select the "Tools"
menu at the top of the window and then select "Canopy Command
Prompt")
Then type:
python --version
The output should start with
Python 2.7.13 -- Enthought, Inc. (x86_64).
- You can now run programs like
python
or ipython
from the Canopy Command Prompt Window.
For example, to run python, type python
Linux installation
-
The direct link for
Linux:
64-bit
-
Perform the installation by executing the command:
bash canopy-2.1.8.rh6-x86_64-cp27.sh
You will be told:
You can run the Canopy graphical environment by running the script:
/home/rea/Canopy/canopy
or by selecting 'Canopy' in your Applications menu.
On your first run, your Canopy User Python environment will be initialized,
and you will have the opportunity to make Canopy be your default Python
at the command line. Details at support.enthought.com/forums
More information on Linux installation can be found here.
-
Check that the installation was successful by opening up a Canopy
Terminal
(In Canopy, select the "Tools" menu at the top of the window and then select "Canopy Terminal"
) and typing:
python --version
The output should start with
Python 2.7.13 -- Enthought, Inc. (x86_64).
- You can now run programs like
python
or ipython
from the Canopy Terminal.
For example, to run python, type python .
- Look here for more about configuring Canopy python. Look here if you find that Canopy Terminal cannot be opened from the Canopy Tools menu.
MacOS installation
-
The direct link for
macOS:
64-bit
-
Installation instructions can be found here.
When opening Canopy for the first time, it goes through some
environment setup and then opens a window where you can manage
packages, read documentation or open an editor. You can accept any
defaults it asks you for there.
-
Check that the installation was successful by opening up a Canopy
Terminal
(In Canopy, select the "Tools" menu at the top of the window and then select "Canopy Terminal"
) and typing:
python --version
The output should start with
Python 2.7.13 -- Enthought, Inc. (x86_64).
- You can now run programs like
python
or ipython
from the Canopy Terminal.
For example, to run python, type python