Question

Which version of python is best to use for this course?

Answer 1

the lectures and reading material use python 2, you can use python 3, but there will be some things that have changed since 2 that might cause your programs not to run the way you want or give you errors. one example, in python 3 raw_input() no longer exists and is renamed to input(). here's a list of changes: http://docs.python.org/release/3.0.1/whatsnew/3.0.html

Answer 2

all the lecture examples and assignment code is in 2.5 i believe so 2.5 - 2.7 would be best.
somwhere on the site they say to use 2.5

Answer 3

All versions are listed on python's website.Use 2.5.5 for the course.

Answer 4

You can use Python 2.5, 2.6 or 2.7. It makes very little difference. I'd go with 2.7 myself, if it was an open choice. Most Linux distros come with 2.6 pre-installed at the moment, so I use that because it's ready to go out the box and it works well with other stuff.

If you're on a Mac, you'll have a version installed, I guess it'd be pretty up to date, so use that. If you are on Windows ~ well ~ then no version of Python is installed of course. In that case you can install Python 2.7 or you can just grab a copy of Linux and install that instead. You can dual-boot so there's no actual need to delete Windows.

I'm currently trying out Joli OS. I've only had it a few days, but it works pretty well for home users and it's Gnome under the covers. It's not bad, just a bit choppy in places.

Answer 5

Python 2.7. It is advisable as if you need help from any other subsidiary text, most of them are for version 2.5 and above. So that will help. One can always get hang of 3.1 later, as there is not much difference.