Question

noob question.
I just watched lecture 1 and went to python website but it says there are 2 versions : python 2 and 3. which one should I install?
thanks

Answer 1

I believe that at the time of the lecture python 2.7.2 was in use, you can use the newer 3.2 version but there are some differences which you will have to work out yourself, I personally recommend using 3.2 as 2.7 is starting to get out dated.

Answer 2

Thanks

Answer 3

To babyoats: at the time of the course, 2.5.4 was used. Current 2.x is 2.7.2.
My opinion:
Unless you really know what you are doing (i.e you already know python well), you should use a version 2.x of Python.
Python 3.x is a major evolution of Python and is not backward compatible with 2.x ( http://wiki.python.org/moin/Python2orPython3)
You should be aware that Python 2.x is used in the lectures( http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-00-introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-fall-2008/assignments/getting_started.pdf), and that most people here are using it too.

Answer 4

If you try to follow the links, please remove the ) that is at the end of the URL. It seems there's a little bug with the editor :)

Answer 5

Thanks for clarification, you seem to know alot about this, I suggest you listen to him :)

Answer 6

You were right too babyoats. If a confirmed developer would learn Python, I would tell him to take the 3.x version. It's the present and future version. But in this class, the main goal is to learn computer science, not Python. So it's easier to use the same version than the professors, and most other students. But if you really feel confident, go for it !

Answer 7

I'd also recommend using 2.x. In professional settings, 2.x is still pretty standard & 3.x is not terribly common yet.