Welcome to the class! This page tells you how to install Python and necessary support packages on your machine, and get started using them. There are 2 steps.

Step 1: Download and install. Download and install the Python, Numpy, and Matplotlib packages (in that order) on your machine, using the links below for the type of operating system you have. Use an administrator account for this.

Please download the version of Python (2.6.6) that is linked here. There are more recent versions but they are different in important ways.

Windows: Python, Numpy, Matplotlib.

Mac OS X: Python, Numpy, Matplotlib.

Linux/Unix: Python, Numpy, Matplotlib.

Step 2: Get started in Python. Read this tutorial on IDLE, a combination editor and shell that comes with Python. IDLE is a good way to get started in Python. Once you know your way around, move on to the Downey readings. Dive in and have fun!

(These instructions are adapted from the download page for NLTK. We will not be using NLTK itself - however their download page gives some further information on installing the above packages, in case you encounter any trouble.)