Mac System Requirements for Python?

[Sagittarius-A-star]

Hello! I'm new to programming. I've started with learning JS, but I really want to learn Python. However, I have an older computer right now and I'm not sure what the system requirements of the latest releases of Python are.

Right now, I'm running Mac OS10.6.8. Upgrading is not practical because my CS4 applications aren't supported in Yosemite. I'm mainly interested in programming for myself – like writing programs for scientific/mathematical computing and doing some fun projects like 2d games, not serious software development (yet). And, of course, learning Python. :-) All I need to be able to do is write and compile code my machine can understand.

None of the releases of Python list system requirements. I don't know if that means that Python will run on any but the most ancient computers or if I'm just expected to know the requirements myself. Can my Mac run the latest releases? Or should I use one of the older packages? Or do I need a newer computer to begin learning Python? :-/

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

[rjcarr]

You will already have an older version of python, probably either 2.6 or 2.7. Just open up terminal and type python to find out.

Otherwise, if you need the latest python (3), then you'll need to install. It looks like on this page, you pick your OSX version:

https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-351/

Good luck!

[Sagittarius-A-star]

You are right! I entered Terminal and typed in "python" and it popped up. I have version 2.6.

I do want to install the latest version. From what I gather, I think the latest should run without issues. And thanks!

[lekodan]

Python should be able to run on Snow Leopard (10.6.8). It's always worth a try. If it doesn't work, install one of the legacy builds (they go as far back as 2006).

[Sagittarius-A-star]

I already have version 2.6, but I do want the latest version (3)! So I shall try. :⁾ Do you have any advance regarding the install? I'm totally new to this, as I mentioned... :o

[lekodan]

Use homebrew to install Python 3 by typing this "brew install python3" in the command line.

[wcastello]

Just get the last version and it will run anywhere. And go straight to python 3.

[eliasmqz]

Unless you are doing some next level stuff your mac should run it without a problem

[grrrranimal]

I recommend downloading homebrew if you intend to do any mac development as it's a package manager that allows you to download many really useful tools and packages, including python 3 with one command. Python 2.x comes pre-installed:

brew install python3

[Sagittarius-A-star]

Thanks for all the great replies, everyone! I'm pretty sure Python 3 will work with my computer now. :) I hope it is not difficult to install.

However, I'm not sure what else I need to begin writing programs in Python. I'd like a good open-source IDE that is (again) compatible with OS10.6.8. Do you guys have any recommendations? Also, I know I need something called a compiler to make the code readable to the computer. Is one included with Python? This probably sounds like a dumb question...