This may not bode well but I'm having trouble downloading the software for the course. Should I download Python 2.5.4. release and then update to 2.5.6. for the bug fixes or is there a way to just download 2.5.6 directly?

http://www.python.org/download/releases/2.5.6/

Question

This may not bode well but I'm having trouble downloading the software for the course.  Should I download Python 2.5.4. release and then update to 2.5.6. for the bug fixes or is there a way to just download 2.5.6 directly?

http://www.python.org/download/releases/2.5.6/

anonymous · Answer

What operating system are you on?

anonymous · Answer

window vista 32 bit home premium

anonymous · Answer

Should I download 2.7.3 instead? If so with or without source code?

anonymous · Answer

for now, I'd skip the source code options if I were you and just go with the binary release (even though you'll be missing a couple security fixes ... it's not like you'll be deploying anything to production here).

And, my recommendation is to go with the binary 2.6 release ... Why, you may ask? Because this course says use 2.5 or 2.6 and the NEXT course says use 2.6 (the next course being 6.01SC) ... so you'll be setup for a good long while.

Be doubly careful to get the 32 bit release (and I say this for anyone who might be reading this at a later time) because though there are 64 bit releases available, some of the libraries you'll need to use if you continue past this basic course with some of the more advanced Python based courses will require that you use some modules (python addons) which only have 32 bit versions.

anonymous · Answer

I would NOT go with 2.7 ... some stuff changed between 2.5 and 2.7 that could leave you in a pickle wondering why code works for everyone but you when you followed the assignment exactly ;)

anonymous · Answer

What does the term 'binary' refer to?


Thank you so much for the help!

anonymous · Answer

binary means it's been compiled into a nice little package that windows just plain knows how to install

as opposed to source ... which you would have to, um, fiddle with to compile into binary before you could install

anonymous · Answer

unfortunately there isn't a windows installer for 2.6, only  security-fix source only for 2.6.7...does that mean i should download 2.6.7 and then the security fix for 2.6.8?

anonymous · Answer

This is the one I would recommend: http://www.python.org/download/releases/2.6.6/

anonymous · Answer

use the Windows x86 MSI Installer (2.6.6)  version

anonymous · Answer

And, don't worry about updating it

anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much!

anonymous · Answer

Anytime, 

Happy Coding