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Development Environment Guides

Installing Python

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Installing Python

As part of the programming module you study on the course, you will be tasked with using the Python programming language to complete lab activities.

In this guide, you shall be taken through the journey of installing Python for the Linux (Debian-based) operating system.

Downloading and Installing Python

By default, Linux comes pre-installed with Python 3. However, there are some additional libraries you will want to aid in the development of your scripts and applications. To install these additional libraries you will need to use the command-line interface. To open the Terminal window, you will need to search for Terminal in the Application screen as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Figure 1. Searching for Terminal in the Application Screen.

With the command-line window open, you can install the necessary libraries by using the following command:

$ sudo apt install python3-dev

When this command is entered in the command-line interface window, you will be met with a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

Figure 2. Installing the Additional Python Libraries.

In the screenshot, you will see a question is asked whether you wish to proceed with the installation. Enter Y into the command-line interface window and push Enter on the keyboard. This will begin the process of downloading the necessary additional libraries for Python. Once this process has finalised, you will be met with a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3

Figure 3. Post Installation of the Additional Python Libraries.

Checking the Python Installation

To confirm that everything is working as expected, you will need to perform a quick check using the command-line interface. To perform this check, open Terminal by searching for Terminal in the Application screen as shown in Figure 1.

With the command-line interface open, you can type the command python3 and the Python interpreter should be loaded and look similar to the window shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

Figure 2. The Python Interpreter in Terminal.

Conclusion

That is the end of this guide on installing Python If you have followed all the necessary steps correctly, you should have a fully functional implementation of Python which will enable you to complete any necessary programming-based activities you will participate with on this course.

Mistakes or Problems?

If you have spotted any errors or issues within this tutorial, you can e-mail Dr Ian Cornelius. Ensure to include in your message a description of the error/issue and a possible resolution. Also do not forget to include a URL to the page with the issue/error.