Installation

The installation of Python is simple. The first step is to download the latest version from www.python.org/downloads. The tutorial is based on Python 3.10, but if you have Python 3.7 or 3.8 installed, that is no problem either.

Most Linux distributions have Python already installed. If a precompiled version of Python exists in your Linux distribution, I recommend you to use it.

If you still want to install a more up-to-date Python version, you can do this for Debian or Ubuntu, for example, as follows:

$ wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.12.3/Python-3.12.3.tgz
$ tar xf Python-3.12.3.tgz
$ cd Python-3.12.3
$ ./configure --enable-optimizations
$ sudo make altinstall

You need a Python version that matches your macOS and processor. Once you have determined the correct version, you can download the image file, mount it with a double click and then start the installation programme contained in it. Python will then be in the Applications folder.

If you use Homebrew, you can also install Python in the terminal with:

$ brew install python3

Python can be installed for most Windows versions after Windows 7 with the Python installer in three steps:

  1. Download the latest Python Releases for Windows installer, for example Windows installer (64-bit).

  2. Start the installation programme. If you have the necessary permissions, install Python with the option Install launcher for all users. This should install Python in C:\Program Files\Python310-64. Also, Add Python 3.10 to PATH should be activated so that this path to the Python installation is also entered in the list of PATH environment variables.

  3. Finally, you can now check the installation by entering the following in the command prompt:

    C:\> python -V
Python 3.10.6

Note

If Python is already installed on your system, you can easily install your own Python. A new version does not replace the old one but is installed in a different location.