How to install Python

These guides go over the proper installation of Python 2.7 for development purposes, as well as setuptools, pip, and virtualenv setup.

Installing Python on Mac OS X

Before installing Python, you’ll need to install a C compiler.

You can download the full version of Xcode from the Mac App Store which include a C compiler.

While OS X comes with a large number of UNIX utilities, those familiar with Linux systems will notice one key component missing: a decent package manager. Homebrew fills this void.

To install Homebrew, open Terminal or your favorite OSX terminal emulator and run:

$ /usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

The script will explain what changes it will make and prompt you before the installation begins. Once you’ve installed Homebrew, insert the Homebrew directory at the top of your PATH environment variable. You can do this by adding the following line at the bottom of your ~/.profile file.

export PATH=/usr/local/bin:/usr/local/sbin:$PATH

Now, we can install Python 2.7:

$ brew install python

or Python 3:

$ brew install python3

This will take a minute or two.

Setuptools & Pip

Setuptools enables you to download and install any compliant Python software over a network (usually the Internet) with a single command (easy_install). It also enables you to add this network installation capability to your own Python software with very little work.

pip is a tool for easily installing and managing Python packages, that is recommended over easy_install. It is superior to easy_install in several ways, and is actively maintained.

Virtual Environments

A Virtual Environment is a tool to keep the dependencies required by different projects in separate places, by creating virtual Python environments for them. It solves the “Project X depends on version 1.x but, Project Y needs 4.x” dilemma, and keeps your global site-packages directory clean and manageable.

For example, you can work on a project which requires Django 1.10 while also maintaining a project which requires Django 1.8.

To start using this and see more information: Virtual Environments

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These guides go over the proper installation of Python 2.7 for development purposes, as well as setuptools, pip, and virtualenv setup.

Installing Python on Mac OS X

Before installing Python, you’ll need to install a C compiler.

You can download the full version of Xcode from the Mac App Store which include a C compiler.

While OS X comes with a large number of UNIX utilities, those familiar with Linux systems will notice one key component missing: a decent package manager. Homebrew fills this void.

To install Homebrew, open Terminal or your favorite OSX terminal emulator and run:

$ /usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

The script will explain what changes it will make and prompt you before the installation begins. Once you’ve installed Homebrew, insert the Homebrew directory at the top of your PATH environment variable. You can do this by adding the following line at the bottom of your ~/.profile file.

export PATH=/usr/local/bin:/usr/local/sbin:$PATH

Now, we can install Python 2.7:

$ brew install python

or Python 3:

$ brew install python3

This will take a minute or two.

Setuptools & Pip

Setuptools enables you to download and install any compliant Python software over a network (usually the Internet) with a single command (easy_install). It also enables you to add this network installation capability to your own Python software with very little work.

pip is a tool for easily installing and managing Python packages, that is recommended over easy_install. It is superior to easy_install in several ways, and is actively maintained.

Virtual Environments

A Virtual Environment is a tool to keep the dependencies required by different projects in separate places, by creating virtual Python environments for them. It solves the “Project X depends on version 1.x but, Project Y needs 4.x” dilemma, and keeps your global site-packages directory clean and manageable.

For example, you can work on a project which requires Django 1.10 while also maintaining a project which requires Django 1.8.

To start using this and see more information: Virtual Environments