CS8, UCSB
Getting Started With Python
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Introduction
In this course, you'll be using a programming language called Python. We are using version 3.0.
You'll be introduced to Python in your textbook, and the lectures in this course. But the only way to really understand Python is to work with it yourself.
- You can't learn to play the guitar from a book or lecture—you have to pick up a guitar.
- You can't learn to swim from a book or lecture—you have to get into the water.
So, the purpose of this page is to point you to several ways you can get started with Python 3.0, either using computers that are available to you here at UCSB, or using your own PC or Mac computer.
The different ways you can "get in the pool" with Python 3.0
There are different ways you can access Python, and each of these provides you with different levels of access. Which kind of access you need depends on what you are trying to do.
The following table summarizes the various ways you can "get down to business" with Python, and what each allows you to accomplish. Click on the links in the first column for more detailed instructions about each of these methods.
| How | Where / When | Do I need a CSIL account? (what's this?) |
What I need to install | Can I use ... | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ... the Python command line? (what's this?) |
... the IDLE editor? (what's this?) |
... Python Graphics? (what's this?) |
... the turnin command (what's this?) |
||||
| CSIL Computer Lab | Harold Frank Hall (Summer 2009 Hours: M-F 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM) |
yes | nothing | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cooper Lab | ESB 1003, only during scheduled lab times | yes | nothing | yes | yes | yes | yes (but you have to ssh into CSIL first: here's how) |
| Connecting to CSIL over the internet from your PC | anywhere, anytime (if you have internet) |
yes | putty (what's this?) |
yes | no | no | yes |
| Connecting to CSIL over the internet from your Mac (or Linux) |
anywhere, |
yes | nothing |
yes | yes (but you'll need a really fast internet connection) |
yes (but you'll need a really fast internet connection) |
yes |
| Using Python 3.0 directly on your PC running Windows | anywhere, anytime (no internet needed, except for turnin step) |
no (except for turnin step) |
Python 3.0 for Windows (what's this?) |
yes | yes | yes | no (CSIL login and file transfer needed) |
| Using Python 3.0 directly on your Mac | anywhere, anytime (no internet needed, except for turnin step) |
no (except for turnin step) |
Python 3.0 for Mac (what's this?) |
yes | yes | yes | no (CSIL login and file transfer needed) |
| Using Python 3.0 directly on your PC running Linux | anywhere, anytime (no internet needed, except for turnin step) |
no (except for turnin step) |
Python 3.0 for Linux (what's this?) |
yes | yes | yes | no (CSIL login and file transfer needed) |
| Using Python in other computer labs on Campus | varies | no (except for turnin step) |
nothing | yes, BUT you might not get Python 3.0 | yes, BUT you might not get Python 3.0 | yes, BUT you might not get Python 3.0 | no (CSIL login and file transfer needed) |
More details about "CSIL Account"
All students in CS8 will need a CSIL account—that is, a username and password on the "Computer Science Instuctional Lab" systems.
If you are a regular UCSB student with a Umail account, and you enrolled in CS8 before @@@INSERT DATE HERE@@@, you should be able to create your CS8 account here:
- https://accounts.engr.ucsb.edu/create/ @@@ DOUBLE CHECK THIS PROCEDURE @@@
Please do this as soon as possible.
If you enrolled in CS8 late, please send an email to @@@ INSERT PROCEDURE HERE @@@.
More details about "can I use..." items
... the Python Command Line
(The Python command line is described in your textbook and will be demonstrated in lecture, so this is not meant to be a complete explanation—more a "reminder" of what we mean by "Python Command Line".)
The Python command line is the >>> prompt where we type commands into Python.
You can learn a lot about Python just using the Python command line—and you'll always need it. Fortunately, it is available in every one of the "ways of getting in the pool" with Python described in our table.
With just the Python command line, you can do some learning about Python, but by itself, it isn't enough to complete most of the homework assignments in this course.
... the IDLE Editor
The "IDLE editor" is a program that allows you to type in longer Python program, and save them in files on a computer's hard drive. You'll need this for almost all the assignments in this course.
IDLE works with Python code sort of the way that Microsoft Word works with text documents—it allows you to create new files, and make changes to existing files. But that is where the similarity ends—because IDLE has special features built in for working with Python files.
The IDLE editor allows you to create files in Python called "programs" and then "run" those program—that is, carry out the instructions in those programs.
The IDLE program also allows you to pull up a Python Command Line that is connected with the IDLE editor window, so that the two work together.
For most assignments, you'll need access to the IDLE editor.
... Python Graphics
Many, though not all, of the assignments in this course will involve graphics. Only some of the ways of accessing Python allow us to use graphics. So, if your assignment involves graphics, you'll have to use one of those methods.
... the turnin command
The turnin command is a command you type at the CSIL command prompt (that's different from the Python Command Prompt) to submit programming assignments to your instructor and TA for grading. To use the turnin comnand, you MUST have a CSIL account, and you must be either:
- directly logged into CSIL (i.e. sitting in the CSIL lab in Harold Frank Hall), or
- logged into CSIL remotely over the internet.
However, it is still possible to complete your work on your own PC or Mac, disconnected from the Internet, and then
- submit it later when you have an internet connection, or
- save it on a memory stick, and submit it from your memory stick in CSIL or the Cooper lab.
Instructions on how to do this appear below.
More detail about "what I need to install"
Note: you don't need to install anything at all if you are willing to do all your work physically in the CSIL lab.
Otherwise, check the row in the table that applies to your situation, and then see the instructions below.
Please also note that we provide CSIL as the space for you to do your work for this class. Technical support for the CSIL lab is available by emailing "support@cs.ucsb.edu". Your instructor or TA may also be able to address simple problems with using your CSIL account—anything we cannot answer can be referred to "support @cs.ucsb.edu".
As a courtesy, we are providing information about other options that may be more convenient for you, but we cannot provide technical support for your own laptop, home computer, internet connection, or any other thing that may go wrong with installing or using these pieces of software.
putty
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Python 3.0 for Windows
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Python 3.0 for Mac
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Python 3.0 for Linux
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Using the turnin command
from your own PC or Mac
where "CSIL Login and file transfer are needed..."
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SSHing from Cooper into CSIL
to use the turnin command
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Irrelevant Trivia (in case you are interested)
The Python programming language is not named after the "family of non-venomous snakes found in Africa, Asia and Australia"
Rather, it is named after a comedy act called Monty Python which appeared on the BBC from 1969 to 1974, and later produced several feature films. Cast member John Cleese is a Santa Barbara resident, and frequently makes benefit appearances as part of UCSB's Arts and Lectures series.
Last update: P. Conrad, 07/29/2009
