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author | 2022-11-07 21:49:03 -0800 | |
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committer | 2022-11-07 21:49:03 -0800 | |
commit | 3dc24ec00238c969063302fbeed3aa24b2537a9a (patch) | |
tree | 1c799a93c36bc283416452133222b8435ab600f2 | |
parent | Finished recommended Python Windows install instructions (diff) |
completed more install info section of Windows guide
-rw-r--r-- | pydis_site/apps/content/resources/guides/python-guides/windows/installing-and-using-python.md | 87 |
1 files changed, 44 insertions, 43 deletions
diff --git a/pydis_site/apps/content/resources/guides/python-guides/windows/installing-and-using-python.md b/pydis_site/apps/content/resources/guides/python-guides/windows/installing-and-using-python.md index b72d0b23..23c9e8df 100644 --- a/pydis_site/apps/content/resources/guides/python-guides/windows/installing-and-using-python.md +++ b/pydis_site/apps/content/resources/guides/python-guides/windows/installing-and-using-python.md @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ title: Installing and Using Python on Windows description: How we recommend installing Python on Windows, and how to use Python Windows features icon: fab fa-windows -toc: 2 +toc: 3 --- Our recommended way of installing Python on a Windows operating system is using the full installer from the official @@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ Windows](../unix-env-on-windows.md). Follow the steps below to install the latest version of Python on Windows. -(The instructions were written with Windows 10 and Python 3.11.0 in mind, but should be nearly or fully identical on -Windows 11 and other modern versions of Python.) +(The instructions were written with Windows 10 and Python 3.11.0 in mind, but should be nearly or fully identical with +Windows 11 or other modern versions of Python.) > If you want a fresh start, you may want to first uninstall any other versions of Python on your PC, including those from > the Microsoft Store, if you have any. This can be done in the ["Apps & features" Windows @@ -94,59 +94,60 @@ is a great starting point. ### Selecting an Installer -There are many different installer options available from the downloads page. -You should usually select the "Windows installer" option instead of the "Windows -embeddable package". Some minor versions may not +At [python.org/downloads/windows](https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/) there are many different Windows Python +installer options available. A link to the latest release page is listed at the top, for example [the Python 3.11.0 +release page](https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-3110/) has info about new features with downloads at the +bottom. Back on the list of all Windows releases, pre-releases are on the right if you want to try cutting-edge (and +possibly unstable) versions of Python, and stables releases are on the left, all the way back to Python 2.0.1 from 2001. +Some minor versions may not have installers available. -### Which version? +You should usually select the "Windows installer" option instead of the "Windows embeddable package". Check out [the +official docs on Using Python on Windows](https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html) for more details on other ways +to install Python on Windows. -Current Python versions follow the form `3.minor.micro`. Major releases happen -yearly and provide new features and breaking changes, whilst minor releases are -more common and only include bug/security fixes. +### Which Version? -Installing the latest major version will give you access to Python's newest -features. However, some modules may not support the newest versions straight -away, so installing the second latest will help you avoid those issues. If you -find you want some newer features or your module does not support your current -version, you can always install another version as well. +Current Python versions follow [the form `3.minor.micro`](https://peps.python.org/pep-0440/#final-releases) (similar to +[semantic versioning](https://semver.org/)), for example +[3.11.0](https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-3110/). "3" is the major number and not about to change. Minor +releases happen yearly and provide new features and breaking changes, whilst micro releases are more common and only +include bug/security fixes. When people say "Python 3" they aren't necessarily specifying a minor or micro version, but +you can assume they mean the latest ones. -You should generally always install the newest minor version, although some may -not provide an installer in which case you should find the newest that does. +Installing the latest minor version will give you access to Python's newest features. However, some packages may not +support the newest versions straight away, so installing the second latest (for example, installing 3.10 when 3.11 is +the latest) will help you avoid those issues. If you find you want some newer features or your module does not support +your current version, you can always install another version as well. -### 32-bit vs 64-bit? - -Install 64-bit python unless you have reason not to. With 32 bit you may run -into memory limits if doing intensive operations (Python will be limited to -using 4GB of memory), and some installed modules may not offer prebuilt wheels -for 32 bit, potentially making installs slower or meaning you have to install -build dependencies. +You should generally always install the newest micro version, although some may not provide an installer, in which case +you should find the newest that does. -If you get an error when installing 64-bit Python, your computer may not support -it. To find out if this is the case, search "About your PC" in windows search -and open the settings page. Then look for the "System Type" option under "Device -Specifications". It should say "64-bit operating system, x64-based processor" if -you have support. You need a 64 bit processor and OS to install 64 bit programs. +### What about Python 2 and 4? -### Running the installer +Python 2 should not be used unless you are absolutely required to use it for legacy code or school. [It was officially +sunset January 1, 2020:](https://www.python.org/doc/sunset-python-2) -When you run the installer you should see a screen like this: +> As of January 1st, 2020 no new bug reports, fixes, or changes will be made to Python 2, and Python 2 is no longer +> supported. - +Python 2 code is not _that_ different from Python 3 code, notable differences being that `print` was a statement rather +than a function so it didn't need parentheses, and `input` evaluated the things inputted (unsafe!). Still, it's best +to try to not use learning resources written in Python 2, and definitely don't start new projects in Python 2. -Make sure you tick "Add Python 3.x to Path". This allows you to use the `python` -and `pip` commands in your terminal to invoke Python. If you already have a -Python installation on your PATH and don't want this one to override it, don't -tick this. +Python 4 is [not happening anytime soon](https://builtin.com/software-engineering-perspectives/python-4), if ever. -If you installed Python without adding to PATH and now want to add it, see -[our guide on adding Python to PATH](../putting-python-on-path). +### 32-bit vs 64-bit? -Then simply click install, and wait for the install to finish! +Install 64-bit python unless you have reason not to, such as having an old 32-bit computer. Modern PCs ([and all +Windows 11 PCs](https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/does-microsoft-has-32-bit-version-of-windows-11/3bd76840-4e84-4573-8252-71380ef41bf1)) are 64-bit. With 32-bit you may run into memory limits if doing intensive operations (Python will be +limited to using 4GB of memory), and some installed modules may not offer prebuilt +[wheels](https://realpython.com/python-wheels/) for 32 -it, potentially making installs slower or meaning you have to +install build dependencies. -To test your installation, type "cmd" in the windows search bar and select "Command Prompt" to open a terminal (make -sure it's opened _after_ installation has finished) type `python -V`, and press enter. If it outputs your python -version, you've successfully installed Python. (if you didn't add to PATH, you can use [the py -launcher](../installing-and-using-python/#the-py-launcher) to test instead). +If you get an error when installing 64-bit Python, your computer may not support it. To find out if this is the case, +search "About your PC" in the Start Menu and open the Settings page. Then look for the "System Type" option under +"Device Specifications". It should say "64-bit operating system, x64-based processor" if you have support. You need a +64-bit processor and operating system to install 64-bit programs. ## The py Launcher |