Computing Resources

Quick links to:

Installing Python

Resources for practicing/learning Python basics:

Philip Guo's Python Tutor lets you execute a program line by line, and it draws the variables and data structures that the program creates during execution
Codecademy
CodingBat

CSE 160 Handouts:

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