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You have completed How to Install Python (macOS)!
You have completed How to Install Python (macOS)!
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Get to know Python’s built-in text editor, IDLE, to use for writing and exploring Python.
Resources
Cheer function
def cheer(name):
for letter in name:
print(f"Gimme a {letter}!")
print("What does that spell?")
print(f"{name}!")
user_input = input("What's your name? ")
cheer(user_input)
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Your Python installation comes with
a code editor that we can use right away.
0:00
It's called IDLE, which stands for
Integrated Development and
0:06
Learning Environment.
0:10
If you're just starting
out with Python and
0:12
you want a quick code editor to learn
some basics, IDLE is a great choice.
0:15
IDLE should already be installed
when you installed Python.
0:21
So you can search for
IDLE using Spotlight.
0:25
Launch the application.
0:30
To compare and
contrast IDLE with an online code editor,
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I will also open Treehouse Workspaces.
0:37
If you've been using
a different online editor,
0:40
you'll find that the features
are mostly the same.
0:43
By default, IDLE opens a shell window,
0:47
which is similar to our workspaces
console when running the Python shell.
0:50
Let's make sure the Python shell is
running on our workspace's console.
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Type python3 and press enter.
1:01
You're able to enter Python
code directly into the shell,
1:05
such as print("Hello World").
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Let's do the same in our IDLE.
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print("Hello World").
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We can see that the outputs
are exactly the same.
1:23
Be sure to check the teacher's notes if
you're not sure what the Python shell is.
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There's not much we can do with just the
Python shell, so let's create a new file.
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We can do that by clicking on File,
New File.
1:39
Be sure to save this file
by going to File, Save.
1:46
Let's call it app.py and
save it in our Documents.
1:53
This is similar to us creating
a new file in Workspaces,
2:00
so let's do that over there as well.
2:05
File, New File, app.py.
2:08
I'm going to use a simple function and
2:18
function call which you can
copy from the teacher's notes.
2:20
Be sure to save both files.
2:27
File, Save and
over in Workspaces, File, Save.
2:31
Unlike Workspaces, IDLE doesn't give
us line numbers by default, and
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the syntax highlighting
uses different colors.
2:44
Let's have a look at IDLE settings.
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You can see that we can change the font,
the colors,
2:55
and some other advanced settings.
3:00
This is one of the many benefits
of a local code editor,
3:03
you can really customize your
development environment.
3:08
I prefer a slightly larger font size,
so let's do that.
3:12
In workspaces, you can run your file in
the console by typing python3 app.py.
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But first, let's exit the shell.
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Let's type python3 app.py.
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What's your name?
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Let's enter my cat's name,
Rubik, and press enter.
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Here we have the printed
results of the cheer function.
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Over in IDLE, with our app.py open,
we'll click on Run, and
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Run Module,
this will now run in the Python shell.
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Let's enter my other cat's name, Pickle.
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And we have the printed output once again.
4:06
As you become more advanced
in your Python skills,
4:10
you'll find that IDLE won't quite
meet the needs of your development.
4:13
There are some great code editors out
there that will be more applicable to your
4:18
workflow.
4:22
Be sure to check out the teacher's
notes for some options.
4:24
Congratulations, you now have
a local Python installation that you
4:28
can use to follow along with
the courses here at Treehouse.
4:32
You're also one step closer to using
Python to develop software for
4:37
your future clients or developer role.
4:41
The Python world is at your fingertips.
4:44
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