Appendix A. Installing Python on Microsoft Windows
This appendix walks you through downloading, installing, and testing Python on a Microsoft Windows computer. If you are using macOS or Linux, or another operating system then check out appendix B which provides the instruction to do this.
Python is a free programming language. This means that you can use Python for free to create, edit, and share your programs. Python is popular because you can use it to write programs for many different applications and purposes. However, its real strength lies in the simplicity of using the code compared to other languages. You can learn more about Python in appendix D.
To code with Python, you need an integrated development environment (IDE). An IDE is an interface that you can use to write programs, test them, and run them on your computer. The Python installation includes its own IDE, called IDLE, which is pronounced idol. There are other IDEs available; an overview of the alternatives is covered in the last section of this appendix.
Getting Python
Let’s begin. The first step is to head over to the Python website and download the Python install program so that you can install it on your computer. Open your web browser, (like Chrome, Safari, Edge etc.) and go to www.python.org. This will take you to the home page for Python. Over time newer versions of Python are released, so remember to check this site regularly if you wish to upgrade your version of Python at a later date.