This page tells you how to setup a Python programming environment for your Mac OS X computer and provides a step-by-step guide for creating and running a simple 'Hello, world' Python program. All of the software is freely available on the Web. These instructions are for MacOS X 10.13 (High Sierra), but the instructions for other recent versions of Mac OS X are similar.

Python and associated Python scripts can be run using command-line interfaces. Windows users can use command prompt while Mac and Linux users can make use of Terminal. We'll cover how to run a Python script, open a Python shell, and how to run a Python one-liner. You can interactively create an app project with Run Shell Script action, then paste in your script in its editor, select your shell program (/usr/bin/python), finally save the project. And you have yourself a Mac native app. Automator can also be driven by AppleScript. So you can pipeline this py-2-app conversion process to your build scripts.

Use Python On Mac

Overview

The Python programming environment required by this booksite consists of:

• Python, that is, the Python compiler/interpreter.
• The Python standard libraries.
• IDLE, the Python Integrated DeveLopment Environment.
• The Tkinter, NumPy, and Pygame libraries, which are used by the booksite programs that do graphics or audio processing.
• The booksite library, that is, a set of modules that we developed specifically to support this booksite.
• The Terminal application that is bundled with Mac OS X.

Downloading and Installing Python, IDLE, Tkinter, NumPy, and Pygame

Python 2 is bundled with Mac OS X. However, Python 3 is not. We recommend that you download and install Python 3, and use Python 3 exclusively when running programs associated with this booksite.

Perform these steps to download and install Python, IDLE, Tkinter, NumPy, and PyGame:

• Browse to the Python for Mac download page.

• In the resulting page click on the Download Python 3.6.5 button. Your browser will download the file python-3.6.5-macosx10.6.pkg to your Downloads directory.

• Using Mac Finder Manager, navigate to your Downloads directory, and double-click on the python-3.6.5-macosx10.6.pkg file to install Python, Tkinter, and IDLE. Use the default options. (It's OK to delete the python-3.6.5-macosx10.6.pkg file after the installation is complete.)

• Open a Terminal window. To do that, click on the Spotlight Search icon on the right end of the menu bar. (It has the appearance of a magnifying glass.) In the resulting dialog box, type Terminal.app followed by the Enter key.

• In the Terminal window issue these commands to install NumPy and PyGame:

Perform these steps to test your installation:

• In the Terminal window issue the python3 command. You should see something like this:

• If you see that output, then your installation of Python, IDLE, and Tkinter was successful.

• At the Python >>> prompt, type import numpy followed by the Enter key. If no error messages appear, then your installation of NumPy was successful.

• At the Python >>> prompt, type import pygame followed by the Enter key. If no error messages appear, then your installation of PyGame was successful.

• At the Python >>> prompt, type exit() followed by the Enter key to exit Python.

• In the Terminal window issue the command idle3. If an IDLE window appears, then you have installed IDLE properly. Close the IDLE window.

• Close the Command Prompt window.

Downloading and Installing the Booksite Library

Perform these steps to download and install the booksite library:

• Use your Web browser to download this introcs-1.0.zip file to your /Users/yourusername/Downloads directory.

• In the Finder, double click on /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-1.0.zip to unzip the file, thus creating a directory named /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-1.0. (It's OK to delete the /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-1.0.zip file after you have unzipped it.)

• Open a Terminal window.

• Standalone python app mac. At any time the Terminal application has a working directory. Initially the working directory is /Users/yourusername. In the Terminal window issue the cd Downloads command to change your working directory to /Users/yourusername/Downloads, and then issue the cd introcs-1.0 command to change your working directory to /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-1.0. (Incidentally, the cd . command changes your working directory to the 'parent' of the current working directory.)

• Issue the ls command to display the names of all files in your working directory. Make sure that a file named setup.py is in your working directory.

• Issue the python3 setup.py install --user command. The computer copies the files defining the booksite modules to a directory where Python can find them, and writes status messages to your Terminal window to indicate its progress.

Perform these steps to test your installation of the booksite library:

• In the Terminal window issue the python3 command.

• At the Python >>> prompt, type the statement import stdio followed by the Enter key. If Python generates no error messages, then you have installed the booksite library properly.

• At the Python >>> prompt, type exit() followed by the Enter key to exit Python.

• Close the Terminal window.

Configuring IDLE

So far you've downloaded and installed all of the software that you'll need. You should perform one more step before creating your first program: configure the IDLE programming environment. Follow these instructions:

• Open a Terminal window.

• In the Terminal window issue the command idle3 to launch IDLE.

• Click on the Python → Preferences.. menu item.

• Click on the General tab.

• Click on the Open Edit Window radio button.

• Click on the Ok button.

• Close the IDLE window.

• Close the Terminal window.

Composing Your First Program

Having installed Python, the Python standard libraries, IDLE, Tkinter, NumPy, Pygame, and the booksite libraries, and having configured IDLE, you are ready to compose your first Python program. Perform these instructions:

• Using the Mac Finder, create a directory named /Users/yourusername/hello.

• Open a Terminal window.

• Issue the cd hello command to make the /Users/yourusername/hello directory your working directory.

• Issue the command idle3 & to launch IDLE. Note the trailing ampersand. The trailing ampersand tells the computer to run the idle3 program in the background, thereby leaving your Terminal application free to handle additional commands while IDLE is running.

• In IDLE, type the four-line Python program helloworld.py exactly as it appears below. Use the arrow keys, mouse, or touchpad to move within the text that you have typed. Use the Delete key to delete text. Be careful; the smallest typing mistake might cause the program to fail.

• When you are finished typing, in IDLE click on the File → Save.. menu item to save the Python program. Save it in a file named helloworld.py in the directory /Users/yourusername/hello. The file name is case sensitive, so make sure you use all lowercase letters.

Running Your First Program

The final step is to run your program. It is possible to run some Python programs from within IDLE, but you should run the programs associated with this booksite directly from a Terminal window. To do that, perform these steps:

• Within the same Terminal window, issue the ls command to display the names of all files in the working directory. Confirm that the working directory contains your helloworld.py file.

• Issue the python3 helloworld.py command to run your program. If the computer writes 'Hello, World' to the Terminal window, then the execution of your helloworld.py program was successful. If the computer instead writes error messages, then use IDLE to correct your program, and issue the python3 helloworld.py command again. Repeat until your program runs successfully. If your program runs successfully the first time you try, then intentionally introduce an error into your program, just so you get some experience with correcting errors.

• Close the IDLE window.

• Close the Terminal window.

You now have installed and configured a reasonable Python environment, and have used it to compose and run a Python program. Congratulations! You are a Python programmer!

Downloading the Booksite Example Programs (optional)

Running Python Online

We recommend that you download the booksite example programs, that is, the example Python programs that are presented incrementally throughout the booksite. Having done so, you can run those programs to help you learn about them. Perform these instructions:

• Use your Web browser to download this introcs-python.zip file to your /Users/yourusername/Downloads directory.

• In the Mac Finder, double-click on /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-python.zip to unzip the file, thus creating the /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-python directory containing the booksite example programs. (It's OK to delete the /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-python.zip file after you have unzipped it.)

Then perform these steps to test your download of the booksite example programs:

• Open a Terminal window.

• Issue the cd Downloads and cd introcs-python commands to make /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-python your working directory.

• Issue the ls command. Confirm that the working directory contains a file named bouncingball.py.

• Issue the python3 bouncingball.py command. If Python launches a stddraw window showing an animated bouncing ball, then your download of the booksite example programs was successful.

• Close the stddraw window.

• Close the Terminal window.

Downloading the Booksite Example Data (optional)

We recommend that you download the booksite example data, that is, the data files used by the booksite example programs that are presented incrementally throughout the booksite. Perform these instructions:

• Use your Web browser to download this introcs-data.zip file to your /Users/yourusername/Downloads directory.

• In the Finder, double-click on /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-data.zip to unzip the file, thus creating the /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-data directory containing the booksite example data files. (It's OK to delete the /Users/yourusername/Downloads/introcs-data.zip file after you have unzipped it.)

Downloading the Booksite Library: Part 2 (optional)

Previously on this page we described how to download and install the booksite library so Python can find it. Now we describe how to download the booksite library so you can find it — for the sake of studying the code that implements it, should you so desire. Perform these instructions:

• Use your Web browser to download this stdlib-python.zip file to your /Users/yourusername/Downloads directory.

• In the Mac Finder, double-click on /Users/yourusername/Downloads/stdlib-python.zip to unzip the file, thus creating the /Users/yourusername/Downloads/stdlib-python directory containing the booksite library. (It's OK to delete the /Users/yourusername/Downloads/stdlib-python.zip file after you have unzipped it.)

We invite you to study the code that implements the booksite library. But don't be concerned if some of the code is cryptic. The code that implements the booksite library uses some features of Python that are beyond the scope of the textbook and this booksite.

Q & A

Q. Why do I get the error ImportError: No module named stdio when I issue the command python program_that_uses_stdio.py?

A. You must issue the command python3 program_that_uses_stdio.py, as described above.

Likely you cannot make a video call on WhatsApp Web. Whatsapp mac app call. However, there are also some advantages features such as desktop alert, keyboard typing, share video or audio files along with document file attachments.Method 3:ChitChat WhatsApp Web Client To Connect WhatsApp Account To Mac OS XIf you think the above methods is a pretty long process, Then try to consider ChitChat this is a standalone Mac app that is basically a web page covering for WhatsApp Web. Now you can use WhatsApp from any place via your MacBook in case if you cannot have access to your iPhone.Things To Consider About WhatsApp Web on MacBookThe WhatsApp Web application has limited features compared to WhatsApp on a cell phone.

Q. I downloaded files using my browser, but can't find them. Where are they?

A. Many browsers by default place downloaded files in the directory /Users/yourusername/Downloads.

Q. How do I break out of an infinite loop when running my program from the Terminal application?

A. Type Ctrl-c. That is, while pressing the Ctrl key, type the c key.

Q. Must I use IDLE to create my Python programs? Can I use some other text editor?

A. You need not use IDLE to create your Python programs; it is fine to use some other text editor. For example, it is reasonable to use the TextEdit editor that is bundled with Mac OS X. However if you do use some other text editor, then make sure you change its settings so it (1) uses a four-space indentation scheme, and (2) indents using spaces instead of tabs. The Wikipedia Comparison of text editors page provides summary descriptions of many text editors.

Being a software engineer, you often come across many instances where you would require to have Python installed on your Mac.

However, the issue is most modern macOS versions come with rather with Python 2.7.x installed and not the newer, modern version like Python 3.6.5 or Python 3.7.2 (which is the most up-to-date version right now).

This short guide is written to show you how to properly install Python 3 on a Mac OS Xcomputer.

Django applications (to me, anyway) seem easier to manage when outside site-packages. We do the following: Django projects go in /opt/project/. PYTHONPATH includes /opt/project. Our settings.py uses apps.this and apps.that (note that the project part of the name is. Where do django apps get installed on macs.

Apple mac. Before you jump into the guide, do take note that there are multiple ways to install Python 3 on a Mac but with this guide, I’ll show you the two easiest ways to do this, step-by-step.

Personally, the way I did it was using a package manager like HomeBrew (it’s okay if you don’t understand what it is). Again, I’ll show you how to do this method down below.

Wait, how do I check if Python 3 is already installed on my Mac?

Simple. Open up your Terminal and type the following line python --version and then hit your Enter key:

You should see the python version that is currently installed on your Mac.

How to Install Python 3 on macOS: 2 Ways

1. The Simplest Way.

Perhaps the simplest way to install Python 3 on macOS.

This is for you especially if you’re a newbie (though I still strongly recommend you try the HomeBrew method below) or if you don’t want to deal with copy-pasting code into your Terminal and downloading other software.

Here’s how to install Python 3 on your macOS:

1. Jump into Python.org downloads page and simply just download the latest Python version.

2. Next, run the Python Installer to install Python 3 onto your Mac.

Note

The Python installation may require about 100MB of disk space to install. Once you’ve installed Python 3 you can have it alongside Python 2 without having to delete the latter from your Mac.

3. Great! Now once Python 3 is installed, you’ll be able to find it within the Applications directory of your Mac. You’ll also find here a simple IDE called “IDLE.app” which gives you a basic Python IDE.

Run Python In Mac Terminal

Help! Where do I find the Applications directory?

If you can’t find the Applications directory, simply go to Finder by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock (it’s usually the first icon from the left side of the Dock). From there simply, go to the Go menu and select Applications.

Update Python On Mac

Done. If you got yourself lost through the process, you can comment down below.

Next up, I’ll show you how you can install Python 3 using HomeBrew onto your macOS. This is my preferred way and it is just as simple as the method before but it will make your life a whole lot simpler, in the long run, using Python.

2. Install Python 3 on Mac using HomeBrew.

This method is dead-ass simple and a little fun. 🙂

First of all, you’ll need to have this thing called HomeBrew installed on your Mac. Homebrew is basically a “package manager”. A package manager is an application that helps you install the stuff you need that Apple (or even your Linux System) hadn’t installed in the first place for you.

It’s simple, fast and safe.

Second, you will need to have installed XCode onto your Mac. If you’re thinking of learning how to program or creating iOS apps on your Mac, then it’s good to have XCode installed. We will be using XCode to install HomeBrew application.

Note

Running Python Apps On Macbook

If you have already installed XCode onto your Mac you can skip step 1 and jump straight to step 3.

Running Python On Mac

Here are the steps to install XCode, HomeBrew as well as install Python 3 using HomeBrew onto your Mac:

1. Jump into your Terminal app on your Mac and run the copy/paste the following command into the Terminal to install XCode onto your Mac:
   
2. Simply click through all the confirmation crap that XCode shows. It may take a little while to install XCode since it is a large program.
3. Great! Now that you have XCode installed, you can install HomeBrew! To install HomeBrew, simply copy/paste the following command into your Terminal:

Note

You can confirm the HomeBrew installed correctly by running the command: below:

4. You’ve installed HomeBrew! Now let’s install the Python 3, the reason why you’re here. To install the latest version of Python, just copy/paste the following command into your Terminal:
   

Note

Python For Mac

You can confirm which version of Python was installed all by running the command below (the exact same command you tried earlier in this guide). It should show up as follows:

5. Finally, let’s run our new Python 3. Simply enter python3.

Voila! You have now installed Python 3 successfully if you see something similar in your Terminal:

Bonus

•If you want to exit, type exit() and then hit your Return button on your keyboard. You can also hit both Control and D keys at the same time instead of the Return key.

•Remember I mentioned you can run both your new Python 3 alongside your old Python 2? Yup. Simply type python into the Terminal to run with Python 2.

Run Python Program Mac Terminal

Share this guide with someone who’s looking to install Python 3 on macOS.