Question

I can't figure out how to install Python in Windows 7. I downloaded both of the zipped folders but have no clue where to go from there with either. Halp?

Answer 1

Where did you download it from?

There should be a .exe installer to walk you through the installation!

Answer 2

http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7.3/python-2.7.3.msi

Answer 3

Well the msi is an installer... double click it and it will install python!

Answer 4

hello icytuba

Answer 5

If it does not work, try right clicking the msi file and running it as administrator? What message are you getting exactly?

Answer 6

Clicking on the install file should run the Python Install Wizard forf Windows. Should create Python27 folder containing 5 folders or files: IDLE (Python GUI), Module Docs, Python (command line), Python Manuals, Uninstall Python. This is what I get with Windows XP. It *ought* to be the same for Windows 7. Only hitch might be if installation requires Admin privilige in Windows 7

Answer 7

The IDLE GUI comes with the Python distribution. But it has a minor bug in that it will not automatically create new files as "*.PY". The Python interpreter will be looking for *.PY files. Alternatively, you might try a different GUI,like PyScripter, http://code.google.com/p/pyscripter/

Answer 8

You're downloading the source code instead of the .exe installer. The newest version has no installer. Get the .exe here: http://python.org/download/releases/2.7.3/

Answer 9

icytuba, I can see your dilema. The instructions are poor. The Getting Started doc is here: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-189-a-gentle-introduction-to-programming-using-python-january-iap-2011/lectures/MIT6_189IAP11_start.pdf. It tells you NOT TO INSTALL 2.7.x yet the guys above are telling you to do so! And when you click on the link in the Getting Started doc you go to 2.6.6, at the top of which it says go to 2.6.8. Do that and there are only TAR zipped files! No MSI that the doc talks about. What a poor start.

Answer 10

I just installed 2.6.6 with the .exe from python.org. Perhaps I should upgrade to 2.7x?

Answer 11

If you are doing the edx course, I would suggest that you did! So at least you are certain about the version you are using

Answer 12

doing the #MOOC, and reading up on 3.1 as well. If there are no real conflicts between 2.6.x and 2.7.x it really wouldn't impact my studies to bump up to 2.7.x I guess.

Answer 13

I think 2.7.3 is OK, does not appear to be any conflict with course materials.

(Also it is a kind of bridge between the 2 and 3 versions, so seems sensible to use it)

Answer 14

Version'd up to 2.7.3. Works like a champ.