Software

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• A major activity throughout the course will be to develop an ability to program in Python. For this to happen you need to download and install two applications to your machine.

• The downloads should be done during to the first class meeting.

• There are several variants of Python. We will be using Python 3.10.

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Part 1: Installing Python

• YOU MUST COMPLETE THIS STEP BEFORE STARTING PART 2

• Python for Windows

• Download Python for Windows

• Double-click the download to start installation. At the Customize Python screen, change "Add python.exe to Path" to "Will be installed on local hard drive". If this is not an option, check box "Add python.exe to Path."

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• Python for OSX

• Download Python for OSX

• Double-click the download to start initialization

• If asked, choose the "Custom Installation" option.

• If asked, check "Add Python to environment variables" and "Install for all users". Leave all other options at their default values.

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YOU MUST COMPLETE THE ABOVE PART 1 BEFORE STARTING PART 2

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Part 2: Installing PyCharm

• When writing a Python program we will use an IDE — Interactive Development Environment. The IDE will allow us to write, run, and debug Python code. The IDE is called Pycharm Education Edition.

• Pycharm for Windows

• Download PyCharm for Windows

• Double-click the download to start installation.

• If available, on the Installation Options screen, check "Create associations" - ".py".

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• Pycharm for MAC-OS

• If your Mac has an Intel Processor

• Download PyCharm

• If instead your Mac has a M1 or M2 Processor

• Download PyCharm

• Double-click the download to start installation. Drag the icon to the Applications folder.

• Potentially important pathname: /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.10/bin/python3.10

 

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