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Setting Up Python3 Environment

In this chapter, we will guide you through setting up a Python3 development environment on your local machine.

Python3 can be used on multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.


Downloading Python3

The latest source code, binary documents, news, and more for Python3 can be found on the official Python website:

Python Official Website: https://www.python.org/

You can download Python documentation from the following link in formats such as HTML, PDF, and PostScript.

Python Documentation Download: https://www.python.org/doc/


Installing Python

Python has been ported to many platforms (with modifications to make it work on different platforms).

You need to download the binary code suitable for your platform and then install Python.

If the binary code for your platform is not available, you need to compile the source code manually using a C compiler.

Compiled source code offers more options and provides greater flexibility for installing Python.

Here are the download links for installation packages on various platforms:

Source Code is available for installation on Linux.

Below are the methods to install Python3 on different platforms.

Installing Python3 on Unix & Linux:

Here are the simple steps to install Python on Unix & Linux platforms:

For example, for version Python3.6.1:

# tar -zxvf Python-3.6.1.tgz
# cd Python-3.6.1
# ./configure
# make && make install

Check if Python3 is properly installed:

# python3 -V
Python 3.6.1

Installing Python on Windows:

Here are the simple steps to install Python on Windows:

Installing Python on Mac:

Mac systems come with Python2.7 pre-installed. You can download the latest version of Python 3.x from https://www.python.org/downloads/mac-osx/.

You can also refer to the source installation method for installation.


Configuring Environment Variables

Programs and executable files can be located in many directories, and these paths may not be included in the search paths provided by the operating system.

Paths are stored in environment variables, which are named strings maintained by the operating system. These variables contain information about available command line interpreters and other programs.

The path variable is named PATH in Unix or Windows (UNIX is case-sensitive, Windows is not).

In Mac OS, the installation process changes the installation path of Python. If you need to reference Python from other directories, you must add the Python directory to your path.

Setting Environment Variables in Unix/Linux

Note: /usr/local/bin/python is the installation directory for Python.

Setting Environment Variables in Windows

Add the Python directory to the environment variables:

In the command prompt (cmd): Enter

path=%path%;C:\Python

Note: C:\Python is the installation directory for Python.

Alternatively, you can set it through:


Python Environment Variables

The following important environment variables are used by Python:

Variable Name Description
PYTHONPATH PYTHONPATH is the Python search path; modules imported by default are searched within PYTHONPATH.
PYTHONSTARTUP Python looks for PYTHONSTARTUP environment variable and executes the code in the specified file before starting.
PYTHONCASEOK Setting PYTHONCASEOK makes Python import modules without case sensitivity.
PYTHONHOME Another module search path. It is usually embedded in PYTHONSTARTUP or PYTHONPATH directories, making it easier to switch between module libraries.

Running Python

There are three ways to run Python:

1. Interactive Interpreter:

You can start coding in Python by entering the interactive interpreter through the command line.

You can do this on Unix, DOS, or any system that provides a command line or shell.

$ python             # Unix/Linux

or  

C:>python           # Windows/DOS

Here are the Python command line options:

Option Description
-d Display debug information during parsing
-O Generate optimized code (.pyo files)
-S Do not import the Python path location at startup
-V Output the Python version number
-X Deprecated since version 1.6 for built-in exceptions (only for strings).
-c cmd Execute a Python script, treating the output as a cmd string.
file Execute a Python script from the given file.

2. Command Line Script

You can execute Python scripts from the command line by invoking the interpreter, as shown:

$ python script.py          # Unix/Linux

or

C:>python script.py         # Windows/DOS

Note: Ensure the script has executable permissions when running.

3. Integrated Development Environment (IDE): PyCharm

PyCharm is a Python IDE created by JetBrains, supporting macOS, Windows, and Linux systems.

PyCharm features: Debugging, syntax highlighting, project management, code navigation, smart hints, auto-completion, unit testing, version control...

PyCharm download link: https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/

PyCharm installation guide: http://www.tutorialpro.org/w3cnote/pycharm-windows-install.html Professional (Professional Edition, paid): Full functionality, 30-day trial available.

Community (Community Edition, free): A stripped-down version of the Professional Edition.

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