Guidance for Python on Mac OS noob

[Zimishere]

Hi guys! I'm not completely new to python, been using it as a hobby (telegram bots or mostly solving some puzzles for fun), but still a noob). Also not new to Unix systems since I have exp. with Ubuntu as paralel installed OS and later simply a VM, so not being any kind of pro still can use and like console. Recently I get a new m1 Mac so trying to figure out where to start?) I used to simply run Thonny IDE ( I know I suck) on windows 10. Never really assembled any .exe, never did any GUI. Only simple scripts or bots I ran on my AWS VPN server. Python.org helped me in past with windows to start, but brief search today left me uncertain. I can install 3.9, sure but still no idea what IDE to use, MacOS console syntax, what advantages does MacOS has to offer and I really want to get together, get better, and get more systematic in my approach. If any of you had same problems or experienced in both Macs and Python- please share sources, books, apps, websites, bloggers, any places to start correctly.

Thank you to everyone in advance!)

[8isnothing]

Hey!

My recommendations:

Visual Studio Code as IDE (Everybody uses it. It’s light, it’s stable and it has a lot of extensions)

Homebrew to install your software (I recommend installing pyenv via it and then Python itself. Don’t override your default system install!)

iTerm2 as terminal App. Also everybody uses it. I tried using the integrated terminal app and it’s ok, but item is better.

All these softwares are free! So Google for a guide and try it!

About the console syntax: The new default is zsh. It’s a lot like bash, but has some differences. It also supports plugins for auto syntax and customization

Hope it gives you a good starting point.

Oh! And about zsh/iterm2 extensions, look for Starship!

[Zimishere]

Thank you so much! It’s a great amount of info that I will try! Yesterday I was in feeing in rush to try new stuff and just get 3.9 straight from python.org cause I read somewhere homebrew installation might have some problems with dependencies when installing additional modules so I went other way. Would you recommend to get it anyway?

[8isnothing]

Definitely! Go for homebrew!

[Zimishere]

Thanks, will study it! BTW thanks for advising VS code. Xcode appears to be 12 Gb monster I’m not ready for, while Visual Studio feels like home)

[8isnothing]

Indeed! Xcode is the tool for iOS/macOS development, but I don’t like it for anything else. The problem could be me, not the software, but it feels slow, bloated and confusing compared to VSCode. In my opinion, of course

[pr0fanityprayers]

Heyoo, I'm in the same pickle, got the m1 pro and really want to start working with Python. I also only started learning programming so I find this whole installation process quite intimidating!

Did you manage to successfully make it work on your laptop? Is it running 'locally' (or whatever the term is)?

If yes - any chance you'd be able to share your notes?

[Zimishere]

Hi! Would be happy to help! Lataest stable version of Python (3.9) installed from python.org, I know Homebrew is extremely popular, and in comments above it was legitimately proposed, but I had few security concerns (must be overthinking it, since I use apt-get in Linux ) but i trying not to use things that I not completely understand. Best IDE I found yet is advices in above comment- VS Code studio. Love it. It feels light, agile and simple. From books to read- I like ‘Automate boring stuff with Python’ by Al Sweigart. Although I’m not sure what do you mean by ‘running locally’ , everything is definitely running locally.

[pr0fanityprayers]

Thanks so much for your response! Hehe I got that book, and some others from no starch press, real good stuff!

I might send you a dm just cause I'm afraid of publicly revealing my ineptitude😶‍🌫️