Question

Hi all,

I'm having trouble with installing Python. I've got Python 3.3 and 2.7 installed, but I saw in an email that this course requires 2.6.

I found the latest version of 2.6 which is 2.6.8 at this link:
http://www.python.org/download/releases/2.6.8/

But this link is just a zipped folder. Any idea on how I actually install it?

Also, I currently have Python 3.3 as my default; for purposes of this course, how would I force my programs to use 2.6.8?

Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

You'd have to change the path to the python version you want. Changing this depends on the OS you are using. What OS are you using?

Answer 2

I'm running Windows.

Also, I just realized that I need to install version 2.6.6. Maybe I can just use that for the course... or perhaps if I dig a little deeper, I'll figure out how to compile the security fixes.

Answer 3

to change the path in windows:
start menu > right click computer > properties > advanced system settings(left-hand side of the screen) > environment variables > look for "path" in the "system variable" section > select iy and click edit > look for directory for python and modify to the directory python of the one you wantb or add it if it's missing > save the changes

Answer 4

2.7.x is fine for the class.

Answer 5

Awesome, thanks to both of you for your input. I'll just go ahead and use 2.7 then.

Answer 6

Download canopy. It has IDLE, a shell and is a gret interpreter. https://www.enthought.com/
It will make learning python much easier.

Answer 7

(it runs 2.7, which will work for the course)

Answer 8

PyScripter
http://code.google.com/p/pyscripter/
and Wingware
http://wingware.com/downloads
are other good options for an improved IDE.

Answer 9

Generally,this kind of programs should be of upward compatible feature.
it means as long as the version which you installed is bigger than the required one ,that's okay. it will work no matter how bigger it is

Answer 10

@metrxqin Not true with Python. There is a major change between 2.x and 3.x that causes a lot of work for someone that is trying to learn it from a set of videos. Things like the print command were changed, so even the basics are different.

Answer 11

Thanks @e.mccormick and @osanseviero!

Answer 12

you can also forget all the IDEs mess and try your code here:
http://labs.codecademy.com/

select the python workspace and that's all you need to do

Answer 13

I have python 2.75, 2.66 and 3.3 installed, i cant install 2.68 on windows.

2.75 and 3.3 don't accept the same print command as 2.66, 2.66 doesn't accept the input() command. The input command is part of chapter 4.12

Wil 2.75 be okay to work with? On the Python website it is indicated that 2.75 is a bugfix version.

Answer 14

@NPAA77 I am not sure what you mean by the 2.6.6 to 2.7.5 print command is different. The print statement has been in Python for a long time. In 2.6, the print() function was introduced, but not finalized. Or at least I have found it in 2.6 versions. 3.0, a problematic version, went to the print() function only and removed the print statement. 2.7, the bridge version between 2.x and 3.x still has the print statement but also has the print() function.

As for version numbers, there is no 2.75, 2.66, etc. There is 2.7.5, 2.6.6, and so on. The difference is simple: Major.Minor.[Bug/Maintenance]. It is a pretty standard format of software numbering. Major version include very large changes, indicate that code will probably need significant work to go from one to another, or have other large differences. Minor versions include improvements, refinements, bug fixes, and other changes that may cause a few functionality changes but usually not. Minor version usually improve or add to functionality rather than outright change. Bug fixes or maintenance releases never change functionality in a way that breaks things unless it is absolutely crucial. They tens to make the operation of the software less problematic. For example, lets say some function works flawlessly in LINUX, but under OS/X there is a different result. A bug/maintenance release could be done to patch the OS/X operation while not breaking the other versions.

The 3.x line is very different from the 2.x line because it is a major version. That is why it does not work well with the MIT courses. 2.7.x is a minor version and works well with the vast majority of the MIT stuff. The MIT classes were done in 2.5.something, if I recall, so not everything will be the same, but it will be close.

Answer 15

Codecademy uses Python 2.7, and that version will also be fine for the MIT material, including the three projects. To save yourself lots of trouble, avoid using Python 3.x for the MOOC, because, as @e.mccormick says, the 3.x line is very different from the 2.x line. The majority of the language is still the same, but some commonly-used features have been changed. That would be especially evident if you tried to use version 3.x to do the final two projects.

The 2.x versions, especially 2.6 and 2.7, are by no means obsolete, considering that many widely-used third-party Python libraries have not yet been adapted for version 3.x.

Once you know version 2.7, it will be very easy to learn version 3.x later, if you choose to do so.

Answer 16

I've uninstalled the 2.7.5 version (i meant to write 2.7.5 earlier, in stead of 2.75) and am now working with 2.7. Everything works correctly now. The code-academy environment works good as well.

Answer 17

Tried installing Python on Mac, apparently I lack basic skills on install. Using the link to the virtual Python console was equally confusing.

Answer 18

Mac OS/X comes with Python. Unless you need to upgrade, you could use the existing.