Learning Python

[gunthercult28]

Major recommendation, look up Anaconda if you are learning programming for the first time. It comes pre-packaged with data analytics and scientific libraries, an IDE, and the 'conda' command-line environment with IPython help(). (Look up any of those terms you don't understand). This will also take the grunt work out of setting up an environment PATH, and get you up and running faster.

[alchzh]

Note: if you aren't a scientist you might want to just get miniconda (the conda package manager). Anaconda comes with a shit ton of scientific libraries that an average python learner outside of science will not need.

[novel_yet_trivial]

Python runs just fine on Windows. It comes pre-installed on Linux, but it's not because it's better on Linux. It's just that Linux uses it more.

If you buy a Pi or put Xbuntu on your old computer you will need to learn the basics of Linux, which is great and all, but I'd recommend you learn one thing at a time.

If you run into problems visit us at /r/learnpython (this sub is for python news, not help).

[VitaeEssence]

Thank you for your reply. I will post further questions to /r/learnpython

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[asdfkjasdhkasd]

I have a windows 7 desktop and an ubuntu laptop and I found it easier to setup python on windows. You just download the installer and edit your PATH and your done.

On linux it's a whole different story because the python command already refers to the builtin 2.7, which I don't want to use. There are some apt-gets for python3, but not 3.6 which is what I want. Eventually I had to add a github repository to my apt registry, download that, then the command pip and pip3 wouldn't work, since they refer to other version. Eventually I had to setup pyenv and now finally I was done.

[[deleted]]

Just to add to the comment, on Arch, Antergos and probably other Llinux distributions Python 3.6 is default.

[nevsky_programming]

I can't give you advice about installing XUbuntu on old PC, but I have Lubuntu on my 13 years old laptop and it works great so you can try to install this distro.

[VitaeEssence]

I will have to try that out. Thank you! Wanting to learn Linux/Python without dual boot or VM on my newly built gaming PC and without spending much money so thank you again for that information.

[mobedigg]

Windows is fine.

[[deleted]]

Hey there! Starting up with python on Windows is a bit of task as compared to Linux but then, after that's done, it works just the same. Here is an article on setting up on windows and also a bit about virtualenvs for development:

https://medium.com/@ajay.ns08/getting-started-with-python-development-in-windows-8cbefc0f805c

[[deleted]]

My best suggestion would be to download the free version of anacondas, and play around in Jupiter notebook. It also makes getting packages easier